TrailBoss powder in .338 and 416 Mag

[hs4570]

Latest episode in the TrailBoss testing..05 May 2007 using cast bullets....as usual... these loads DO NOT exist in any loading manual !

Ruger .338 Win Mag 24 inch brl..WW cases and mag primers..Dont have a .338 mold so purchased some Plain base 200 gr Flat point from a local caster.

29.0 grains TBoss is 100% case capacity.

14.5 gr. TBoss..1331..1313..1284 fps 3 shots/50 yds/ 2.17 inch
15.0 gr. 1314..1338..wouldn't chamber .. 2 shots 0.83 inch
16.0 gr 1376..1387..1371 fps ..2.04 inch
16.5 gr 1413..n/r..n/r..1.90 inch
17.5 gr 1491..1456..1467 fps 3shots/50 yds....0.57 inch
18.0 gr 1503..1495..1494.. 2.55 inch
18.5 gr 1528..1510..1509..1.10 inch

.416 Rem Mag WW cases and Mag primers Sako Trgs 23.8 inch brl.
365 gr. .416 RCBS gas check.
100% case volume is 34.7 gr. Trailboss powder

18.5 gr. Trail boss..1176..1146..1141 fps ..2.12 inch/50 yds
19.0 gr. ..1138..1148..1154 fps..1.16 inch
19.5 gr. ..1184..1186..1171 fps..2.17 inch
20.0 gr. ..1177..1188..1187 fps..1.78 inch
20.5 gr. ..1221..1214..1207 fps..1.45 inch
21.0 gr. ..1242..1223..1230 fps...0.77 inch
21.5 gr. ..1247..1238..1242 fps...0.85 inch
22.0 gr. ..1277..1267..1263 fps...0.94 inch
22.5 gr. ..1287..1276..1273 fps...0.77 inch
23.0 gr. ..1297..1303..1288 fps...1.10 inch

Tested another cast bullet in 18.5 inch Rem 788 in .308 with Lee 120 gr gas check
8.0 grains TrailBoss..1208..1186..1202 fps 3shots/50 yd/ 3.0 inch
9.0 gr. ...1277..1284..1320 fps...2.90 inch
10.0 gr...1378..1369..1363 fps...2.20 inch
11.0 gr...1437..1448..1454 fps...0.97 inch
12.0 gr...1542..1545..n/r fps...2.0 inch
13.0 gr...1615 one reading only ..1.53 inch

.222 Rem Brno Fox 24 inch brl. WW cases and primers
45 gr Hornady Hornet .224

3.5 grains TrailBoss ...1266..1271..1291fps 50 yds/ 1.10 inch
4.0 gr....1415..1420..1427 fps...1.0 inch
4.5 gr....1495..1501..1526 fps...1.90 inch
5.0 gr....1526..n/r..n/r...2.0 inch
5.5 gr....1735..1717..1786......0.35 inch
6.0 gr....1872..1826..1864...0.95 inch
6.5 gr....1732..1780 n/r...1.10 inch

55 gr Rem spz fmj

4.0 gr. Trail boss..1243..1221.1236 fps 2.0 inch/50 yds
4.5 gr...1328..1309..1330 fps ..0.40 inch
5.0 gr...1402..1441..1431 fps...1.0 inch
5.5 gr...1418..1540..1507 fps...2.0 inch

Would guess that any one that shoots any caliber with more case capacity than a .416 rem mag could benefit with TrailBoss powder for plinker loads with cast too.......

your mileage may vary......

 

[hs4570]

.416 Rem. Mag Range day ...update

After haveing mounted a new to me, 3 x 9 Scopechief on the Sako to replace the 4 x 12 Simmons that finally wore out and wouldn't focus past 6 x for the past year it was time to try out my best TrailBoss load at 100 yards yesterday.

******These loads do not exist in any reloading manual******

.416 unsized, Teflon taped, Cast 365 gr. RCBS Gas check,Water quenched wheel wts., Unsized W.W. cases and Mag primers. slight Lee crimp

The rifle was sighted in at 50 yds at about 2 inches High and then shot at 100 yards.

21.0 grains Trail Boss Powder.

1245..1236..1230..1241..1237 fps Three shots cloverleafed at 0.60 inch group and the other 2 shots were 0.85 inch higher and to the left of the cloverleaf makeing it a 1.30 inch group center to center fo 5 shots.

Put up 2 Playing Cards at 100 yards and shot two sets of only three shot groups...both gave me two shots at 0.70 and 0.75 inch and the third shot on each made it 1.00 and 1.15 inch groups.

Next up was a load I'd worked up useing Alliant 2400 powder several months ago and now shot at 100yds.

Same components as Trail Boss load except cotton filler used. (not reccomended ! )


35.0 grains A 2400..1728..1734..1719..1722..1730 fps
5 shots/ 100 yds/ 1.80 inch.

With a difference of about 500 fps between the two loads I was surprised that both loads had almost the same zero...with the A2400 load having a 1.5 inch higher impact at 100 yds.

Hunting season here starts in about a month and am looking forward to trying both loads on our deer and black bear..

As usual.. this is for those with .416 's that are interested in inexpensive cast bullet loads for hunting and plinking.