Explanation finally for not compressing Trail Boss powder

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condor bravo

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It has been long understood that Hodgdon's Trail Boss powder should not be compressed and forum attempts some months ago were unsuccessful in trying to find out why that was the case, a warning or just a lesser but unexplained admonishment. The likely assumption was that it was a warning. But finally an explanation appearing in the June 2016 issue of Handloader magazine appears to provide the answer. In the article, Hodgdon's Ron Reiber is credited with the following: "Reiber cautions that Trail Boss does not respond well to compression and becomes erratic in its performance--not dangerous, just erratic." The article identifies a starting load of TB as 70% of the powder weight to the base of the bullet (which is the usual definition of a starting load) and then working up from there to max at the base of the bullet. However it is pointed out that pressure levels could become dangerous with TB and the .50 BMG if the powder formula is not followed, which I guess means do not compress when using with the .50 although there is no additional explanation.
 
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I've explained my own "oddities" with Trail Boss in several previous threads - particularly how erratic it was with normal/"Hodgdon-method" loads in .327 Federal.

My experience with (minor) compression was what Ron Reiber mentioned, but including the danger: Extremely erratic behavior.
Sometimes it was close to normal.
Sometimes it was way over pressure. (Small rifle primers in a revolver cartridge, randomly appearing like they got hit with 68k psi. :eek:)
Sometimes it just varied so much that accuracy was a fantasy, rather than an attainable goal.
Overall... completely unpredictable.


I haven't used a lot of TB, but I think I have gone through a little over 18 ounces (2 canisters).
Some of the biggest personal lessons I've learned:
Don't compress it.
It doesn't like .444 Marlin. (Could be the long powder column, or it could be the bullets that I used. Don't know. Don't care to waste money chasing it further.)
It doesn't play nicely with .327 Federal.
It doesn't provide enough velocity in some "high pressure" rifle cartridges to stabilize the bullets. (.270 Winchester in particular - at least in my testing.)
 
I have not used Trail Boss with handgun loadings so cannot comment on that. However have used more than plenty with rifle calibers, especially the belted and non-belted mags. Accuracy has about always been superb and with cast bullets. Only problem with cast bullets has been with 6.5 Rem mag, .264 Win mag and 6.5x55 Swede, where stabalization with 140 gr slugs has been difficult to achieve. However with TB and any 6.5 jacketed bullet, all is well. I always load TB to the max according to Hodgdon and never bother weighing.
 
I've done quite a bit of testing with Trail Boss in revolver cartridges. As for compressing, it basically comes down to pressure and what your gun can handle ... As a fast burning powder, pressure builds quickly... Of course, compressing is NOT necessary, as there are many, many other powders out there to handle the medium and hot loads. Hornady does list a compressed load for .44Mag (9.6g under 240g bullet). I tested up to 9.5g (1005fps), but found 8.0g (919fps, ES 33, 14 shots) under 240g SWC) to be my goto load for .44Mag. This was the only cartridge I tested compressed loads as it was in the 'manual'. I didn't find it 'erratic' . Otherwise I limited the test loads to the 'base of the bullet' for the high side -- non-compressed.
 
From various reports using TB it seems there are more complaints against it with handgun loadings than with rifle loadings. Surprised that Frankenmauser didn't find it satisfactory with the .444 Marlin. With cast bullets usually, loading .45-70s and mag calibers up to .416 and .458, results could hardly be better. Only problem as previously noted has been with stabalizing 6.5mm cast bullets. Unable to find any lighter (shorter) than 135 and 140 grain. But jacketed anyway from 90 to 160 are good with TB. The reduced recoil loads with TB and the big mags allows those rifles to be shot more rather than standing around collecting cobwebs. I use a combination of moly coats and 22 BHN hardness standard lead bullets and gas checked (but not available with molys) are superior to non gas checked. With the .30 calibers, 180 grain bullets are always superior to 150s. The .458s are loaded with 360 grain molys and are great one-hole punchers regardless of number of shots (of course bullet diameter helps that along where it might not be so with a .30 caliber).
 
TB it seems there are more complaints against it with handgun loadings
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I liked it in the fat cartridges .44 Spec, .44 Mag, and .45 Colt. .357 not so much. Haven't tried it in the little .32 H&R yet.
 
I'm using TB in the powder puff loads for my fiance's .38 LCR. Shoots very nice with low recoil. And amazingly clean!

She can shoot that little snubbie all day long with no complaints now. I like the powder. I'm getting ready to try it in some 165g coated 30-30 bullets for my Win 94 AE.
 
SARuger said:
I'm getting ready to try it in some 165g coated 30-30 bullets for my Win 94 AE.
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Be careful, if you start with minimum/starting loads.

In .30-30, I had a stuck bullet rate of about 60% with Hodgdon's suggested 'minimum' load. (Heavier bullets, in particular.)


CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond or not covered by currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The Firing Line, nor the staff of TFL assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.

I no longer own a .30-30. But if it were me, I'd start at "100%" density and work backwards for accuracy.
 
Roger on the above. If starting with the 70% starting load formula, my usual suggestion is to not load more than two since you will want to start moving upwards immediately. Starting loads will just be too mild. Begin with max and work downward if deemed necessary. I use a 170 grain moly coated lead bullet with the .30-30 and that works out well with a max load. I have never had a stuck bullet but have probably never fired more than one starting load and then moved upwards, beginning with a .458 loading.
 
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You fill a .50 BMG to the point TB(made primarily for cast CAS and reduced loads) is compressed you have a bomb in your hand. Max .50 BMG loads run 230 to 250ish for a 750 grain bullet.
A MAX .416 Rem load(Biggest thing on the list. No .50 BMG listed) is only 29.0 of TB with a jacketed 350 at 29,900 CUP. Typical MAX loads run around 80 at 50,000ish CUP.
However, Hodgdon has a formula. It is NOT 70% of the normal start load.
http://www.imrpowder.com/PDF/Trail-Boss-data.pdf
 
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