Thread: Magnum primers with Trailboss ?

Just getting sorted with some cast 151 gr. 308 projectiles because I have a tub of Trailboss sitting idle but I really don't want to use my limited stash of large rifle primers. Searching everywhere I can only find large rifle magnum primers and wondered if those would be a suitable alternative ? I appreciate it won't be unsafe with trailboss but would like to try and get these shooting well. I'm thinking TB is a pistol powder pretty much the opposite of what a magnum primer is suitable for ?
Thanks guys......

been there done that......no worries at all UNLESS you trying to go subsonic...in the 7.6239mm case I was going down to stupidly light powder charges to get noise down/velocity below supersonic.....changed to std primers and it was much better and more normal levels. for a supersonic loading...no worries at all.

Yea ok @Micky Duck I didn't think of that...the magnum primer was contributing to the velocity ?, makes sense. Although subs would be fun, I was interested in seeing how a fullish load of TB would go and to extend the range of hunting and plinking.

Yea ok @Micky Duck I didn't think of that...the magnum primer was contributing to the velocity ?, makes sense. Although subs would be fun, I was interested in seeing how a fullish load of TB would go and to extend the range of hunting and plinking.

Magnum primers provide a slightly bigger spark than standard primers. There's no reason they'll be unable to ignite the powder properly. There's a theory that "having just enough primer to get reliable ignition" can help give utmost consistency... But I think that's really for BR shooters who are a lot further down the rabbit hole than a dude shooting lead cast subs ... Another theory I've seen is that "having more primer than needed helps mitigate temperature sensitivity". Is any of that true, or does it matter in your situation? Who knows. Try it and find out. Don't be surprised if they increase speeds a bit.

Trail Boss is a really oddball powder that I wouldn't really call a pistol, shotgun, or a rifle powder. We classify powders as one of those three loosely based on burn rate and yeah TB's burn rate puts it firmly in the pistol category but it's also so bulky and low in energy density that it can be used in just about anything without any concern.

go for it...you will not be disappointed with them...fun, fun, fun, for plinking and at low supersonic levels great projectiles full stop.
and yes the magnum primers added velocity and noise......

Originally Posted by Pommy

But I think that's really for BR shooters who are a lot further down the rabbit hole than a dude shooting lead cast subs

Thats us !

Cheers @Pommy good info there mate. My mate at who shoots pistols reckons some large pistol primers would also work well ?

just be careful......SOME trailboss loads can give high pressure.......high pressure and pistol primers=trouble. do your research and crunch the numbers.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

just be careful......SOME trailboss loads can give high pressure.......high pressure and pistol primers=trouble. do your research and crunch the numbers.

Yea we'll skip that idea....shortages sure do make you get creative tho.

I initially used magnum primers when I started loading subs in my 308win as I recall I had be advised to (somewhere) and never had any issues with load development or general shooting. I settled on using 200gn Lapua subs and 10.2gns Trailboss from memory. I am using standard LR primers now and 190 Sub-X and they seem to go well but wouldn't hesitate to use magnum primers again.

Thanks @Shearer I've also just been reading that some recommend magnum primers with TB and subs. I think i'll give them a go and do a test with my dwindling stash of standard LR primers.

Originally Posted by Shearer

I initially used magnum primers when I started loading subs in my 308win as I recall I had be advised to (somewhere) and never had any issues with load development or general shooting. I settled on using 200gn Lapua subs and 10.2gns Trailboss from memory. I am using standard LR primers now and 190 Sub-X and they seem to go well but wouldn't hesitate to use magnum primers again.

What length barrel please?

Originally Posted by Jhon

What length barrel please?

16"

Originally Posted by Pete_D

Just getting sorted with some cast 151 gr. 308 projectiles because I have a tub of Trailboss sitting idle but I really don't want to use my limited stash of large rifle primers. Searching everywhere I can only find large rifle magnum primers and wondered if those would be a suitable alternative ? I appreciate it won't be unsafe with trailboss but would like to try and get these shooting well. I'm thinking TB is a pistol powder pretty much the opposite of what a magnum primer is suitable for ?
Thanks guys......

Don't worry about the primers you are working at the bottom of the load density range, In a .308 most use 8.0 grains of Trail Boss for about 1040 fps so you have plenty of spread
left in the pressure range, No point in going for more velocity with Trail Boss it is not very good at much more than 12.0 grains accuracy goes to shot gun patterns,
If you want more velocity the 151 HP's can handle 27.0 grains of 2206H I shoot a lot of them with this load, Don't ask for Velocity my test rifle has a 30" barrel.

Thanks @shooternz looking forward to testing them.