Handloading

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dave bennett

dave bennett

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Asking for results on those who used Trail Boss in the 1911 45acp (concerned primarily about lead 200gr SWC) for paper targets, accuracy at what distance.
 
Ruger 15151 said:
Dave

If you do a quick search, there are several posts for Trail Boss and 45 ACP in 1911s.
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Where’s the fun in that?:)

Have you used any? I haven’t. All I can say is the online hand loading data from Hodgdon says a maximum load is 5.5 grains with an ambiguous 200 grain bullet. The data shows sixteen thousand pounds, so I guess that’s as much as would fit.

Other bullet manufacturers may have more data available online or with an Email or phone call to their tech line.

What are you loading this for?
 
I’ve tried 4.5 grains with a 200 grain SWC and it worked. If your looking for real light loads TB is a good powder. Reasonably accurate.

I prefer 4.0 Bullseye for target loads. More consistent/accurate and cheaper.
 
reddog81 said:
I’ve tried 4.5 grains with a 200 grain SWC and it worked. If your looking for real light loads TB is a good powder. Reasonably accurate.

I prefer 4.0 Bullseye for target loads. More consistent/accurate and cheaper.
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Thanks for reply reddog, Tried it (Trail Boss) out today. 4.3gr with Lee 200gr SWC bevel base (made into a flat base at 207gr with dremel tool). Very tight group at 20 yds. Happy ! Shot from Gold Cup and Kimber Ultra Compact 3 in brl.
 
So far I've only used TB in revolvers, .45 Colt and .38 Special. Haven't given it a hard look for use in .45 ACP. In the .45 Colt it's darn near perfect if you like easy to shoot, accurate range loads with cast lead.
 
A lot of better powders for 45 acp. Save the trail boss for 45 colt, 44-40 and such. That’s what it’s made for. Trail boss is designed to fill the case and keep the pressure low. Really made for cowboy type shooting.
 
45 ACP is a low pressure round with a fairly large case. For light loads Trail Boss works just fine in 45 ACP. The are tons of powders that work in 45 acp and Trail Boss is one of them. For a 9mm or 40 S&W load Trail Boss won’t work but it does just fine in 45 ACP.
 
At some level, low pressures loads won't function a 1911. And that is the cut off for Bullseye pistol shooters.

When I ask good shooters what they are using, based on my un scientific survey, Bullseye, Titegroup are the most common. I run across 700X and vihtavuori powder users, really the 45 ACP shoots most of them very well.

This is an older Bullseye shooter, he was shooting when pistol powders were, Bullseye, Unique and 2400. He is still using 4.2 grs Bullseye behind a 185 grain bullet. Shoots great.

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This shooter, next to me, was shooting Bullseye in his 45ACP, and fired just as the target turned.

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I am not familiar with the scoring of a shot like this, I think he got a zero because the bullet went through too many scoring rings. I suggested that the shot be scored as 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, adding 35 points to the shooters score with one shot! My idea was rejected out of hand. :oops:

I have no idea if Trail boss will function a 1911 as no one I know uses it in that application. Ought to work fine in a revolver.
 
Slamfire said:
I have no idea if Trail boss will function a 1911 as no one I know uses it in that application. Ought to work fine in a revolver.
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I know that it works in a Colt Gold Cup and a Kimber Compact.;)


dave bennett said:
Very tight group at 20 yds. Happy ! Shot from Gold Cup and Kimber Ultra Compact 3 in brl.
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Demi-human said:
I know that it works in a Colt Gold Cup and a Kimber Compact.;)
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You know, I have been tempted to buy Trailboss, but the sellers wanted the same price for a 1/2 pound as a pound of everything else. Phooey on that. I am sure it is an advancement, and that if you want to shoot ultra low pressure loads in big case pistol cartridges, it is an improvement over Bullseye. One of these days the per pound price will be the same as the other powders, and then I will buy some. Just to see how it works.
 
Slamfire said:
You know, I have been tempted to buy Trailboss, but the sellers wanted the same price for a 1/2 pound as a pound of everything else. Phooey on that. I am sure it is an advancement, and that if you want to shoot ultra low pressure loads in big case pistol cartridges, it is an improvement over Bullseye. One of these days the per pound price will be the same as the other powders, and then I will buy some. Just to see how it works.
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In reality you are not really missing anything. Additionally, Trail Boss doesn't generate very low pressures. It does fill the case by a lot but pressures are not low.

It was touted to be the replacement for IMR SR4759, it certainly is not! (IMO of course)
 
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