Hodgson trail boss with 45lc NEWBIE ques

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shooterm

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So I recently bought Hodgson cowboy trail reloading powder and 45 cal(.458) 350gr FP bullets So I can start reloading 45LC for my uberti cattleman. I cant find any reloading data for this in my book (Modern Reloading Richard LEE) and when I look on Hodgson sight I can't find any info either for that grain( or any over 300gr). I bought the bullets at Cabelas and that is what they had or it was the ftx in 325gr.

I am new and this will be my first time reloading, Should I locate powder and bullet that will match my book to start or can I find a loud for this somewhere?
 
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Do you mean Trail Boss? You may want to call Hodgdon and talk to the ballisticians. They are very helpful and not all loads they have are published. There may be a reason Trail Boss is not listed. There are better powders for heavier bullets. I think u will find a 250g bullet for the handgun is just fine and the 350's are more for rifles.
dB
 
A few years ago, I cast some 330 grain rifle bullets, sized them down for my 45 LC. I checked for a load using H110 and that bullet weight and the starting load was 20.5 grains. Accuracy was quite good and the brass dropped out of the cylinder easily.

This is from my own memory and you should do your own research.

Edit; I googled Hodgdon Reloading / Pistol / 45 Colt Ruger TC and found the place I got my load from.

When I put up this post, the second post wasn't up yet. I reread your post and realized that I hadn't addressed your question very well. I havent any experience with Trailboss powder. You do realize you are going to have to resize your bullets from .458 down to .452 .

I shot this load in a Ruger Blackhawk with a 7 1/2 inch barrel. Recoil was stiffish but not whippy like a 44 mag.
 
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Sounds like the bullets you have (.458) are intended for loading 45-70 rifle rounds. Get a good reloading manual or go to Hodgdons reloading data site. For your Uberti you will want to find projectiles in the 180 to 250 grain weight range with around .452 diameter.
 
You need 0.452 diameter bullets for 45 Colt. Trail boss for a max load would be safe with the touching the bullet base with no powder compression. Sounds like you have one of the weaker actions. DO NOT USE DATA MEANT FOR CONTENDER OR RUGER as they operate at a higher pressure level. I have Peatta SSA army's in 45 Colt they use lower pressure rounds. The data manuals list two different sets of load data for the 45 Colt. The load of H-110 mentioned above would probably blow up a SSA first shot. Get a Lyman manual. 250 gr bullets are normal for 45 Colt.
 
shooterm said:
So I recently bought Hodgson cowboy trail reloading powder and 45 cal(.458) 350gr FP bullets So I can start reloading 45LC for my uberti cattleman. I cant find any reloading data for this in my book (Modern Reloading Richard LEE) and when I look on Hodgson sight I can't find any info either for that grain( or any over 300gr). I bought the bullets at Cabelas and that is what they had or it was the ftx in 325gr.

I am new and this will be my first time reloading, Should I locate powder and bullet that will match my book to start or can I find a loud for this somewhere?
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May I give you some advise...find a mentor in your area to show you the fundamentals of reloading, as a couple of others have pointed out you are trying to use 45-70/.458 win mag. slugs in a .45 LC cartridge. If you do get a bullet to seat into the case mouth it probably isn't dangerous in itself as it will never chamber in a .45 LC chamber BUT that still doesn't solve the "inexperience and lack of reloading knowledge" that you have displayed...this might sound very harsh but a makeshift grenade of some sort going off in your face from some other miss-directed exercise can ruin your day.

I am certainly not trying to discourage you from starting a reloading career but get some advise from an experienced loader or read many many more pages of published help manuals first.

Where are you situated, I or any # of other Albertans would help out without a thought of any payment of any kind.
 
Too heavy and oversized bullet, for a revolver, my friend.
Do not shoot it.
I don't want to think about what damage/stress you could do to a revolver using that bullet.
350 grain, sized to .458 is for a .45-70 type rifle.
A 250 grain bullet or lighter, sized to .452 is what you want for a revolver.
Trail Boss loads I see in my 2007 IMR Reloader's Guide, is from 4.5 to 5.8 gr. (MAX) TB for a 250 gr, cast lead LRNFP.
I would be hesitant to load to the max myself, as I find it becomes uncomfortable to shoot.
 
Thanks guys, Yes I am just beginning but I do have help I just didn't consult them before I bought the bullets I assumed I would have got good knowledge from the store. I realize that it is the wrong size will try and take it back so will see if I can the big issue mostly was I couldn't find the load data for the grain/size thats when I realized the error.
I told the store what I was doing and needed and thats the size bullet I was told to get, I should have checked first with my mentors and double checked my book. I do have some people that can help I am starting with Hodgson trail boss because thats what was run through before. I will have load data that was used for it by previous owner which I know. The bullet was the big issue, when I got home looked up data on Hodgson and other sites and couldn't find anything thats when I realized this was to big of diameter. I will eventually use these same rounds for lever action I may get to. I am starting slow and will even have my bullets checked before I shoot.
 
shooterm said:
So I recently bought Hodgson cowboy trail reloading powder and 45 cal(.458) 350gr FP bullets So I can start reloading 45LC for my uberti cattleman. I cant find any reloading data for this in my book (Modern Reloading Richard LEE) and when I look on Hodgson sight I can't find any info either for that grain( or any over 300gr). I bought the bullets at Cabelas and that is what they had or it was the ftx in 325gr.

I am new and this will be my first time reloading, Should I locate powder and bullet that will match my book to start or can I find a loud for this somewhere?
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You mean "Trailboss" powder.

The Hdgdon site has generic reload data for Trailboss powder here: https://www.hodgdon.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/trail-boss-reduced-loads-r_p.pdf

You can use that methodology for any bullet weight. Trailboss is quite forgiving, basically just don't compress it.
 
Yes I meant "Trail Boss" that was a typo on my part. So I did return the bullets and had quick look at what else they had. Hornady: .452 300 gr XTP
I didn't buy them I will see what else I can get.
 
Where are you located. Maybe a local can assist u with real info, not something that a non loader in a retail environment was guessing at
dB
 
I'm not a reloader but biggest I shoot in my large frame Ruger Bisley Vaqueros right now is these ( the 300 grain XTP's ) and they ( the bigger framed Bisleys) may be a little more suitable for the heavier and/or larger rounds .
shooterm said:
Yes I meant "Trail Boss" that was a typo on my part. So I did return the bullets and had quick look at what else they had. Hornady: .452 300 gr XTP
I didn't buy them I will see what else I can get.
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I have local people who I will be consulting with this week. But I also thought i would tap in here where I would probably get lots of info
 
shooterm said:
I have local people who I will be consulting with this week. But I also thought i would tap in here where I would probably get lots of info
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The Ruger can handle +P 45LC loads. I use 325gr gas checked cast bullets in 45LC in handgun and rifle.

45 Colt +P load data (ONLY for ruger-class firearms) here:
http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=45 Colt P&Weight=325&type=Handgun&Source
http://www.handloads.com/articles/default.asp?id=5

You can get the 325gr lead bullet up to about 950fps in a handgun using Unique, and maybe as high as 1150-1200 fps using 2400, H110, 4227, and Lil'Gun powders. Unless you're using it for hunting or shooting silhouette there isn't a good practical reason to load that heavy for shooting paper at 25 yds - unless you like doing it and that's a good enough reason. The recoil from a 300+ gr bullet at 1150fps is probably not for everyone but quite manageable for most people. Just don't shoot limp-wristed.
 
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(Do not attempt to use those loads intended for a Ruger/TC's) No issues with that I don't intend to. I have been doing lots of reading and youtube videos on reloading. Also been asking lots of questions from pers that know reloading.
I did get some proper lead bullets today from a friend the one I actually bought the firearm from. So I am good to start loading soon. They measure .452, now in my book it shows bullet diameter is .454 can someone explain?
 
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shooterm said:
(Do not attempt to use those loads intended for a Ruger/TC's) No issues with that I don't intend to. I have been doing lots of reading and youtube videos on reloading. Also been asking lots of questions from pers that know reloading.
I did get some proper lead bullets today from a friend the one I actually bought the firearm from. So I am good to start loading soon. They measure .452, now in my book it shows bullet diameter is .454 can someone explain?
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When the 45 Colt was first produced, the bullet diameter was .454 . During the second war, barrels were reamed out for .452 . I knew about the diameter change but I checked with Wikipedia to get the date. Not sure of the reason why, may have to do some more research.
 
I shoot cowboy with trail boss. Get 250 gr bullets from bullet barn any heavier is for 45-70. Essentially you are supposed to fill the case to the bottom of the bullet with no compression (this is from hogdons own site). I think it is about 4.5 grs. Do not under any circumstances use the ruger data. The cattleman is based on the colt saa and not as strong.
 
So I made a practice bullet no primer our powder to start learning. Now i have talked to a few people in person but I thought I asked some experts here to.
The manual states overall measurement 1.600. My round measure 1.599. My bullet is lead semi flat nose 200 gr. Now I read about the bullet it self and the groves at the bottom is were your lube is located. (Coloured line) and the last line is where the bullet lines up with edge of casing and crimp. My bullet edge/ crimp is just below that And if I did that my bullet overall length would be around 1.540. Plus when I made my dummy round there was a slight bulge where the bullet is inside the casing. I read it’s normal and some sites say possible to much crimping and a couple people I talked to said it was fine. Again I plan on visiting a few seasoned reloaders to get some answers and see my result. I am just tapping into other resources ie the gun nutz relaoders.
Thanks
 
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1.60 inches is the maximum overall length, it can be less depending on your bullet type and load data. Try test fitting your dummy in your revolver cylinder, if it fits then keep it at that length, if doesn't make it shorter. Don't make it crazy short as this will affect your pressure adversely.
 
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