Trail Boss powder 38/357 revolver "quiet" yard loads

[98s1lightning]

Anyone using trailboss powder in 357 or 38?

I'm wondering if the loads can be anywheres quiet as a closed chambered rifle????
I shoot 32-20 TB no ear protection, very quiet.

I want to use the revolver now too.

I can load either 38 or 357 brass.
I was thinkin lead 140gr flat nose to 180gr flat nose.

Probably start with 2.5 grains TB in the 38 cases.

 

[98s1lightning]

Also do you think 1 lube groove is enough on a 180gr lead 38 bullet? We're talking LOW velocities 600fps....

 

[8ring]

According to Hodgdon's Annual Manual, the .38 spl. starting load of Trail Boss with a Hornady 140 gr. "Cowboy" bullet is 3.0 grains. The maximum load is 3.7 gr. and has a pressure of only13,400 psi. There is no .357 magnum data for Trail Boss and this bullet. Hodgdon also does not list any data for lead bullets heavier than 158 gr. in either caliber.

How long is your revolver's barrel?

This may be a situation where you want to start with mid-range loads and work down instead of up. Watch out for inconsistent ignition or velocities as you work down. You don't want to get a bullet stuck halfway down the barrel.

 

[98s1lightning]

5"

 

[Obturation]

We're talking about this over here too
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/cat-sneeze-357-38-loads.868994/
I'm going to try a trailboss load as suggested by @MEHavey

 

[98s1lightning]

I saw yours but thought you were shooting rifle only

I have had great success in 32-20 rifle

Have NOT tried trailboss in revolver

 

[jmorris]

I tried some TB 38 loads but didn’t find them particularly quiet. I use faster pistol powders for pistol loads and save the TB for reduced rifle loads.

 

[mcb]

My IDPA load is 4.2 gr of Trailboss under a 160gr bullet goin about 700 fps from a 4-inch revolver. 2.5 under a 180 sound really light. Might work in a revolver but I would bet there is a decent chance that will stick a bullet in a carbine.

Revolvers are never gone to be quite even with bunny fart loads. The cylinder gap is always going to produce a fairly significant pop. Now from a carbine a nice light trail-boss load that gets ~600-700 fps using Trailboss or maybe titegroup will be reasonably quite. If you really want quiet get a good 357/9mm suppressor and put that on you carbine and try some Trailboss or Titegroup loaded down to less than 900 fps.

 

[WestKentucky]

I changed over last night to 38sw. I’m curious as to how low 38spl can go because 38sw will be similar. It’s on the bench now, but I have no clue when I will get back to it to try some actual loads.

 

[FROGO207]

Well mcb is correct that you will still have a good amount of noise due to the cylinder gap and the escaping gases. Going to a 9MM or 380 and loads that barely cycle the slide coupled with a suppressor will work much better IMO.

 

[.38 Special]

I have never fired a centerfire revolver that was quiet enough to do no damage to unprotected ears - and I have used a lot of Trail Boss.

The only revolver I have ever used which could be fired safely without ear protection was a .22 LR with subsonic ammunition.

 

[.38 Special]

With regard to lube grooves, one groove is perfectly adequate if it is big enough.

 

[98s1lightning]

I ran some 38 special brass 180's 5" bbl over chrono running 500-600fps.

500 is borderline too loud for no ears, 600 is no good Needs ears.

Can you run any slower than 500fps with lead?

I plan to drop down 0.2 more grains and probably call it quits. It should run around 450-550fps.

These are intended for yard popper loads, target.

 

[98s1lightning]

This will put me 6% below starting load recommendation per Hodgdon data.

I think it's a safe bet.

 

[98s1lightning]

I'm at my lowest charge weight I will comfortable use. It's 6% lower than starting charge from Hodgdon. The report is still loud enough to make the ears ring a bit.

It's a nice load though. Just gonna have to pop the ear plugs in, even if they aren't in tight, it will be a nice yard popper.

I think it's quieter than a 22 short from a Revolver. But since its a 180gr it's got a snappy thump to it for recoil. Even in the heavy GP100.

Hopefully they pattern decent at 25 yards. It will be nice to shoot a full size centerfielder and not make such a racket.