Trail Boss and case density

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Trail Boss and case density

Post by jeebo » 26 Mar 2014, 9:09 am

Trying to get my head around "Trail Boss" powder here.

Say some ADI .308 reloading data for example.

150gr bullet + 47gr 2208 powder = 2937fps muzzle velocity. This is a compressed load for the .308

150gr bullet + 14gr Trail Boss = 1417fps muzzle velocity. Less than 1/3 of the powder charge and a lot less bang. So is the case 3/4 empty in this load?

I understood low case density was decidedly bad, and this would be real low... :?

What's the story?
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Re: Trail Boss and case density

Post by Chronos » 26 Mar 2014, 9:13 am

Different powders have different mass for the same volume. The case has a fixed volume but powders don't. 30gr of one powder might take up the same volume as 40gr of another powder and that may be I dependant if how much energy the powder has when it burns or indeed how fast it burns

Other may be able to explain it better
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Re: Trail Boss and case density

Post by Apollo » 26 Mar 2014, 9:18 am

Trail Boss is a very low density powder and therefore takes up a lot more volume in the cartridge case.

Have a read here .... http://www.sportingshootermag.com.au/ne ... ifle-loads

One of many write up's available.

Never used it or seen it myself.
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Re: Trail Boss and case density

Post by Monty » 26 Mar 2014, 9:29 am

Good picture here from GunBlast demonstrating how much space the different powders occupy for the same weight.

Trail Boss' unique shape and added bulk are apparent when compared to a powder such as Bullseye. On the left is 6.1 grains of Trail Boss, and on the right is 6.1 grains of Bullseye.


trail_boss-powder.jpg
Trail Boss powder
trail_boss-powder.jpg (78.76 KiB) Viewed 5200 times
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Re: Trail Boss and case density

Post by Warrigul » 26 Mar 2014, 2:47 pm

I LOOOOOOOOOVE trailboss.

The kids got sick of me saying "the preferred powder for sherriffs and outlaws" on the three hour drive home after buying the first lot.
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Re: Trail Boss and case density

Post by Westy » 27 Mar 2014, 7:50 am

I use it, and 14 grns of trail boss is a large amount\ volume!! I've found it a bit hit and miss on my loads so you wouldn't be using it for say bench rest.It burns well and keeps the FPS down as it was designed to do. Great fun to use but I'm not 100% sold on it!!!!
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Re: Trail Boss and case density

Post by ebr love » 27 Mar 2014, 10:40 am

47gr of Trail Boss powder would fill a .308 case 3x over.

Case density isn't going to be a problem ;)
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Re: Trail Boss and case density

Post by Hercl » 27 Mar 2014, 11:57 am

Like delicious Cherios.

Delicious, explosive Cherios :D
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Re: Trail Boss and case density

Post by jeebo » 27 Mar 2014, 12:59 pm

Ahhhh!

Googling a picture would have given me my answer I see.

Makes perfect sense now. I didn't realise it would be so different.
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Re: Trail Boss and case density

Post by FourFingersof Death » 27 Mar 2014, 5:19 pm

As a rough guide to bulk, 1.5Kg of TrailBoss comes in the same size container as a 4 Kg container of 2208, etc.
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Re: Trail Boss and case density

Post by Lorgar » 27 Mar 2014, 5:49 pm

Hercl wrote:Like delicious Cherios.

Delicious, explosive Cherios :D


You need to try some new restaurants :P
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