Decided to give Trail Boss a try

Mike Irwin said:
I love Trail Boss in .44 Special, and like it a lot in .38 Special.

I've had a number of problems with it in .32-20, though. I've gotten several bullets stuck in the bore due to incomplete ignition of the powder charge. Increasing the crimp hasn't fully solved the issue.
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What primers you using? I'm using CCI non magnum primers in .327 and .32 H&R and haven't had any issues with ignition.
 
"What primers you using? I'm using CCI non magnum primers in .327 and .32 H&R and haven't had any issues with ignition."

Winchester or Remington.

I've never had a lick of trouble with TB in .38 or .44 Special, only .32-20.

May be an issue of not enough crimp. I try not to crimp my .32-20 very much because of the toll it takes on the very thin case necks.
 
I've had a number of problems with it in .32-20, though. I've gotten several bullets stuck in the bore due to incomplete ignition of the powder charge. Increasing the crimp hasn't fully solved the issue.
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When dealing with small apertures, I have to watch Trailboss powder measuring closely for very low charges, I presume due to bridging of large, very light granules. The problem has occurred for me on my Lee turret and on the Hornady LnL AP.
 
Judging by what I've found when I've opened the gun the charge has been correct. Ignition just isn't complete.

I've pretty much decided, however, that I'm going to stick with WW 231 or possibly Red Dot for .32-20.
 
Range Report

Allrighty, I tested the first batch of Trail Boss ammo.

148 DEWC - S&S Hardcast; OAL 1.215"
WSP primer
GECO brass
3.2 grains charge weight - not trickled to exact. They were thrown directly from the hopper. It meters better than Unique :p. So I loaded these as "production" ammo; rather than as a pure chronograph test for consistency.
Gun: S&W Model 67 - 4" bbl.
12 round sample.

Avg velocity: 710.7 - which, by coincidence, is right at IDPA Power Factor.
Standard Deviation: 21.48 - pretty good for "production" powder drops.

Recoil was extremely soft. They just went "poof." I'm not sure if I need this propellant. But I had to try. I was neither impressed nor disappointed. I didn't get to smell it (some mention of it smelling like cat pee) as I had a steady breeze from the back.

I'll bump up the charge by 0.2 grains and test again (to bring it a touch above IDPA PF - that's where I set my DEWC's). I'll also load up some 185 DEWC's for 44 Special too. I'm not in a hurry to do either of these though.
 
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I use Hodgdon's MAX load with an S&S 240 SWC in Starline 44 Mag brass for about 900 FPS from my 6" Model 29.

It's a winner. I didn't like it as much in the 45 Colt though....
 
Thanks for the info. on your testing Nick C S. I was wondering how it'd work out.

Still gotta get my hands on some of those "Grey flat donuts".
 
Nick C S
If your 3.2 gr TB was not a max load, try loading to max (fill case to where base of bullet will be when seated) without regards to weight. That should result in some improvement over the "poof" results. You still want some power with the less recoil.
 
148 DEWC - S&S Hardcast; OAL 1.215"
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That COL is not seated flush (cases around 1.140 long), so the load data may not be right without it. It should be more than a "poof". I use 3.2 grains in 357 Magnum with 158 gr lead TCBB, and it is rated around 750 fps. I don't seat flush either, using Bullseye, but you might try seating flush before changing the load.
 
That COL is not seated flush (cases around 1.140 long)
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Right. They're DEWC's, not HBWC's. They have a a crimp groove and not designed to be seated flush.

so the load data may not be right without it.
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No. The load data definitely won't be right - and I knew that. I used it just as a starting point guide line. The chronograph will guide me from there (and has done so already).

Most likely, 3.4 grains will put them right where I want them.
 
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