Ruger Forum

rlsmith · March 7th, 2011, 05:19 AM

Any body use trail boss powder in the 357 mag with lead bullets and if so how did it work. Ive used it in the 45 colt and it worked great.

rclark · March 7th, 2011, 05:34 AM

Works great. 5g TB under 125g lead or plated bullet is a nice accurate load. No leading in my revolvers.

MidLife · March 7th, 2011, 05:44 AM

I haven't tried it yet, but, it is on the top of my todo list!

newtmaker · March 9th, 2011, 04:32 AM

I have tried several loads from very mild to slightly over 1000 fps that were at the 70% capacity level. They do shoot ok for me but I have had better results with several other powders.

I have some softer HBWC in 148 g coming that I will start working up loads soon. TB will be one that I try for sure.

Walt

BCB · March 9th, 2011, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newtmaker

I have tried several loads from very mild to slightly over 1000 fps that were at the 70% capacity level. They do shoot ok for me but I have had better results with several other powders.

I have some softer HBWC in 148 g coming that I will start working up loads soon. TB will be one that I try for sure.

Walt

Are you talking 1000 fps from a 357 Magnum? WOW...

What boolit and what firearms are you using to get those velocities...

And you were getting that velocity with a charge of only 70% of total capacity to the base of the seated boolit...

Just curious as I can't even get anywhere near those velocites and I am shooting over a Chrony so I am pretty confident what velocities I am getting...

BCB

newtmaker · March 10th, 2011, 04:43 AM

I am shooting a BH with 4.62" bbl. Using 158g LRN cast bullets and 4.4g TB it chronies at 1000 fps. Dropping down to 4g it is 950 fps.

There seems to be some debate on how to calculate the 100% load when loading with TB. I assumed it was actual case capacity. Others say it is from the bottom of the seated bullet. That would make for a grain or slightly more difference in weight.

Considering how tough th BH is, I seriously doubt I am greatly exceeding pressures with the 4.4g load. It shoots very mildly and there are no pressure signs at all. I don't have one of the software programs available that allows checking stuff like that. Iowegan, if you are listening, where are they available and how much do they cost?

Walt

rclark · March 10th, 2011, 08:03 AM

Quote:

I assumed it was actual case capacity.

The rule of thumb has always been that you can load up to base of bullet and no compression and you'll be safe using TB. Starting loads are 70% of this capacity. The big thing was/is 'no compression'. That said, in the new Hornady manual, we have a .44Mag load that is a TB compressed load, so some of things we know are changing a bit.... But for me TB is for 'light' loads period. I will load up to base of bullet (I've done some testing with that, and am comfortable with it even in the large capacity .45 Colt cases with 250g bullets in my Rugers). If I need more punch, I move to another powder such as Unique, 4227, or 2400.

stuart9534 · March 10th, 2011, 08:36 AM

My most accurate .357 load is 4.1 grains of Trail Boss with a 158 grain LSWC. Very light recoiling, and usually gives me a 3" group @ 30 yards from a rest with my 6" Security Six.

BCB · March 10th, 2011, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stuart9534

My most accurate .357 load is 4.1 grains of Trail Boss with a 158 grain LSWC. Very light recoiling, and usually gives me a 3" group @ 30 yards from a rest with my 6" Security Six.

Any idea what velocity that might be giving?

I am shooting the 358429 (173) out of an old Security-Six 6 incher and using 3.5 to 5.0 grains of Trail Boss, I am getting between 624 and 691 fps...

Hodgdon data is only listing 825+ for the 158 grainer and I am sure they are stretching it a bit and they don't list barrel length...

Newtmaker indicates much greater velocity with a shorter barrel and a boolit that only weighs 15 grains less. Can't figure that out...

Maybe my Chrony is goofy, but I don't think so as it is "right near the book" when it comes to other loads in my 357 and 45 Colt. That is with Trail Boss and other powders...

BCB

newtmaker · March 10th, 2011, 04:43 PM

BCB, I will load some TB loads next week and chrony them again. I have data from 4 different shoots using around 4 grains of TB with 148g and 158 g cast bullets. They all hover above 900 fps to exactly 1000. Will let you know.

Walt

BCB · March 10th, 2011, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newtmaker

BCB, I will load some TB loads next week and chrony them again. I have data from 4 different shoots using around 4 grains of TB with 148g and 158 g cast bullets. They all hover above 900 fps to exactly 1000. Will let you know.

Walt

I am going to redo mine also. I can't get those velocities using the fast burners such a Red Dot, Scot 453, Bullseye, or 231. And I am using charges greater than 5.5 grains. Several more, not to be mentioned...

Stranger things happen for sure...

BCB

rlsmith · March 10th, 2011, 05:15 PM

Newtmaker please post the results when you get a chance thanks. I am very interested I shot some 158 gr laser-cast 3.6 ant they shot around 1 3/4 to 2 inches dont know how fast as I dont have anything to test that. I just ordered 158 gr missour bullet so really want to try them they are the 18 bhn by the way, I really liked the trail boss powder. Sorry for the long post.

rlsmith · March 10th, 2011, 05:16 PM

3.6 and they shot sorry for that mis spell

Golfbuddy45 · March 10th, 2011, 05:53 PM

I do not reload and use only factory ammo. I am not sure how this relates to your specific loads but the Hornady 140gr FTX Leverevolution .357 Mag is clocking way over 1000 FPS out of an 8" barrel. Much faster out of an 18 inch rifle barrel. That is one reason I shoot Hornady almost exclusively out of my Lever Rifles and Ruger .44Mag and .357 Handguns.

Test Barrel (8") Velocity (fps) / Energy (ft-lbs)
Muzzle 50yds 100yds
1440/644 1274/504 1143/406

Rifle (18" Barrel) Velocity (fps) / Energy (ft-lbs)
Muzzle 50yds 100yds
1850/1064 1632/828 1272/503

Also check out this table of various factory .357 ammo ballistics. Most of them are in the 1200-1500 fps range.
357 Magnum Ballistics Chart | Ballistics 101