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.38 Special load data search question:

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  • 72sofsme

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    SAWMAN

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    Take a look at the HODGDON RELOADING sight.
    You can use the same loads as the jacketed bullets.
    Start at the lower end of the appropriate data.
    TRAIL BOSS is great powder. Measure correctly ... DO NOT COMPRESS THE LOADS. --- SAWMAN
     

    72sofsme

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    Thank you! I have heard that Trail Boss is one of those powders that can't be compressed because its so "voluminous" and takes up space. I will read more info on it but thank you for that!
     

    SAWMAN

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    I load TRAIL BOSS for different chamberings including a 500S&W rifle.
    I load to the bottom of the appropriately seated bullet. OR LESS,depending on the velocity needed/wanted.
    I can load a 440gr at 750 - 800fps. Sweet load !! --- SAWMAN
     

    Boogan1

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    Depends on what you are wanting the load to do. I shoot 38's for Cowboy Action shooting. I load 3.0 grains of clays with a 110 grain tcfp bullet. Very light recoil fun shooting load. There are lots of good powders out there for 38 special loads, almost any of the fast burning shotgun powders clays, red dot, american select, unique and pistol powders like 231/hp38. Hodgdon puts out special load data for lead bullets and cowboy action loads. You can find it doing a google search. I started out using Trail Boss and I think I loaded 3.0-3.2 grains under my 110 and 125 gr bullets.
    You should know this about Trail Boss. It is made in australia and the company that makes it has announced they will not be producing any of it in 2022. It is almost impossible to find right now. So unless you have a substantial supply of it I would not spend a lot of time developing a load that you can't get components for.
     

    72sofsme

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    I have a can of Trail Boss just for light loads/plinking.
    I actually got it for Gallery/Squib loads (I can post the article if desired). I loaded up 5.0gr Trail Boss in 7.62x54r behind 90gr lead round nose and it was wildly accurate to 100yrds, like shooting a .22lr.
    Thank you for sharing the info!
     

    Boogan1

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    Found this link with excellent Trail Boss data …

    Trail boss is almost non-existent right now and it is only going to get worse. The maker of Trail Boss announced about a month ago that there will be none produced in 2022. I shoot Clays in my cowboy action guns and it works well. There are lots of powders out there that will load 38 special. Clays, Red dot, 231, bullseye, american select, unique, 700x just to name a few. When I am in a store and see that they have powder, if it is one I haven't loaded before, I go online and see if there is load data available.
     
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