[rclark]

This site has a thread dedicated to Trail Boss : Trail Boss? . So I thought I'd start one on Ramshot's True Blue and get peoples thoughts on this powder (in all calibers) as I finally got my hands on a pound of it. Thought I'd try it as I've heard some good things about it.

The powder itself is very fine and meters very well. Its a double-base, spherical powder according to the company literature. Very consistent throws. I've yet had to 'throw one back' other than when first setting up the charge. Nice!! It really sticks to the walls of the plastic tube that holds the powder in the hornady powder measure. That is the only minor complaint here.

It's burn rate #40 on 'one' chart puts it right next to HS-6 and AA#5 (#41 and #42). Unique is back at #31 and 2400 at #54. Another Chart puts it slower than HS-6 and closer to AA#7 leaving HS-6 behind. A Couple other charts puts it slower than AA#7. Still it is 'somewhere' between Unique and 2400. Take your pick! It does take more powder than Unique or Green Dot to get to same velocity. Draw your own conclusions...

As for shooting it seems to burn 'hot'. My revolver barrels tend to heat up more than they do with Green Dot or Unique. The case gets a black 'burn' area around the mouth as well after shooting. Just an observation. Does seem to burn clean though.

I just started to explore it with .45 Colt loads so the powder is still new to me. Here are my results so far.

Ruger .45 Colt BH 5 1/2" barrel

8.0g True Blue, 250g RNFP, CCI-300, 801fps, _9 SD, 32 ES, 14 Shots
8.5g True Blue, 250g RNFP, CCI-300, 860fps, 11 SD, 30 ES, 15 Shots
9.0g True Blue, 250g RNFP, CCI-300, 898fps, 11 SD, 33 ES, 10 Shots
9.3g True Blue, 250g RNFP, CCI-300, 941fps, _6 SD, 20 ES, 15 Shots (different day and temp)
9.5g True Blue, 250g RNFP, CCI-300, 940fps, _8 SD, 29 ES, 11 Shots

The powder is dense and doesn't fill the case like some other powders. But because it meters so well that isn't a big concern. Also as you can see it is still consistent from shot to shot.

I shot 15 of each load. The reason for 10 shots and 11 shots is because my chronograph was 'erroring' on me for some reason in the late afternoon. Only had 15 of each to test. Still it gives you an idea. No load yet picked for most accurate. Nothing has stood out as 'the load', however consistency is quite good.

I do believe the above tests are SAMMI loads from what I can 'glean' from manuals and internet. Data is pretty sparse on this powder. Another reason for this thread!

 

[Iowegan]

rclark, I borrowed a sample of True Blue from a friend and tried a batch of 10.0gr in my 7 1/2" 45 Colt BH. It chronographed at 1005 fps (10 shot average) and was very accurate. Max velocity spread was 45 fps. The bullets were Hornady LRNFT, 255gr, BHN 10. QuickLOAD shows a chamber pressure just under 14,000 psi. Based on Ramshot's loading chart, I suspect the actual pressure was more like 15,500 psi. If I can find some of this stuff, I'll by a bottle.

 

[grizz12]

I just started loading it for .45acp, 9mm and soon .357. I have not been to the range to test for accuracy yet

 

[steveo]

I tried some Zip for the first time, (unable to find Unique or Bullseye) in 9mm and .38 Sp, I like the powder. Still looking forward to finding Alliant powders available again.

 

[moakes58]

I have my eye out for it, but it has not been available locally for 4 months.
Their powders confuse me, I'm currently loading .380 & 9mm & am not sure whether to use TB, Zip or Silhouette.
I'm leaning toward TB, Any suggestions?

 

[rclark]

Ramshot loading manual PDF . Looking at the PDF you have a choice . Try and see what you get with True Blue or Zip and report back! I don't shoot those calibers (9mm or .380) .

Not really happy with 9.3g under 250g RNFP. Shot 100 rounds Saturday and while okay, I could out shoot it with my Green Dot load. So maybe try 10g next and see.

Have a box of empty .44 Special cases, so will start testing with 240g SWC.

 

[noylj]

True Blue:
From my results, it is very versatile. Works well at low velocity target loads in .45Auto and does pretty well in 10mm Auto.
I have no idea about burn rate as it seems to move up and down the burn rate chart depending on the cartridge.
It seems similar to slower than Silhouette in some and faster than AA5 in others.

 

[stargeezer]

rclark, I borrowed a sample of True Blue from a friend and tried a batch of 10.0gr in my 7 1/2" 45 Colt BH. It chronographed at 1005 fps (10 shot average) and was very accurate. Max velocity spread was 45 fps. The bullets were Hornady LRNFT, 255gr, BHN 10. QuickLOAD shows a chamber pressure just under 14,000 psi. Based on Ramshot's loading chart, I suspect the actual pressure was more like 15,500 psi. If I can find some of this stuff, I'll by a bottle.

Absoultly buy it and use it. Just as lowegan says, it's great. I have'nt gotten any from my sources in over a year.

 

[rclark]

Looks like I 'may' have some time to do some testing tomorrow... so plan on getting some chronograph data on .44 Special and do a further tests with .45 Colt.

Feel free to post the loads you feel are you're favorites here.

 

[mikld]

I've been using True Blue in .357 Magnum and .44 Magnum for a few years. Meters great, shoots clean and the loads I settled on are fairly accurate. I would think True Blue is a bit slow for 9mm, but there are loads listed for it...

 

[rclark]

Some more data trickling in for .45 Colt. Tested 10.0g

Ruger .45 Colt BH 5 1/2" barrel

_8.0g True Blue, 250g RNFP, CCI-300, 801fps, _9 SD, 32 ES, 14 Shots
_8.5g True Blue, 250g RNFP, CCI-300, 860fps, 11 SD, 30 ES, 15 Shots
_9.0g True Blue, 250g RNFP, CCI-300, 898fps, 11 SD, 33 ES, 10 Shots
_9.3g True Blue, 250g RNFP, CCI-300, 941fps, _6 SD, 20 ES, 15 Shots (different day and temp)
_9.5g True Blue, 250g RNFP, CCI-300, 940fps, _8 SD, 29 ES, 11 Shots
10.0g True Blue, 250g RNFP, CCI-300, 961fps, _7 SD, 22 ES, 17 Shots Accurate

The 10.0g load so far is the best of the lot. All seemed to come together here. I shot a couple separate groups off hand at 15Y and both looked good. Here was one of them and the flyer is all me :

On to .44special

Ruger .44 Special Flattop BH 5 1/2" barrel

7.0g True Blue, 240g SWC, CCI-300, _830fps, _8 SD, 27 ES, 15 Shots
7.5g True Blue, 240g SWC, CCI-300, _887fps, 10 SD, 30 ES, 15 Shots
7.5g True Blue, 240g SWC, CCI-350, _916fps, _8 SD, 25 ES, 15 Shots
8.0g True Blue, 240g SWC, CCI-300, _946fps, _8 SD, 28 ES, 15 Shots
8.5g True Blue, 240g SWC, CCI-300, _989fps, _7 SD, 24 ES, 15 Shots
9.0g True Blue, 240g SWC, CCI-300, 1040fps, _7 SD, 26 ES, 15 Shots

Found all loads shot ok accuracy wise in my .44 Special ... but then most loads in .44 Special do . I liked the 8.0g and 9.0g the best. Just felt right. If I use this powder for .44Special I think I will use 9.0g as it matches the Skeeter Unique load and 'seems' maybe a bit more accurate than the others. I don't see any advantage of using Magnum primer either. Stick with standard.

Next up will be .44Mag.

Edited to complete the data set.

 

[rclark]

Ok, got out and shot .44Mag today. About 70 degrees out.

Ruger .44 Magnum BH 6 1/2" barrel

_9.0g True Blue, 240g SWC, CCI-300, _976fps, 10 SD, 30 ES, 15 Shots
_9.5g True Blue, 240g SWC, CCI-300, 1047fps, _7 SD, 26 ES, 15 Shots (like)
10.0g True Blue, 240g SWC, CCI-300, 1071fps, _8 SD, 29 ES, 11 Shots
10.5g True Blue, 240g SWC, CCI-300, 1126fps, _6 SD, 23 ES, 14 Shots (like)
11.0g True Blue, 240g SWC, CCI-300, 1159fps, 12 SD, 36 ES, 15 Shots
11.5g True Blue, 240g SWC, CCI-300, 1189fps, _6 SD, 22 ES, 14 Shots
12.0g True Blue, 240g SWC, CCI-300, 1225fps, _7 SD, 18 ES, 10 Shots

I did not throw out any values. 15 was shot for each except the last which was 10. If you figure it out that is 100 shots. The missing shots were chronograph errors. They all seemed to shoot well, but two of the loads felt good. Anyway, you get an idea of velocities to expect with True Blue .

Probably won't get to .357 for awhile. Other things are going to interfere for a few weeks. But looking forward to 'your' data and favorite loads .

 

[rclark]

Starting now on .357 data.

.357 BH 6 1/2" barrel
5.0g True Blue, 158g SWC, CCI-500, _842fps, 12 SD, 41 ES, 15 Shots
5.5g True Blue, 158g SWC, CCI-500, _926fps, 11 SD, 29 ES, 15 Shots
6.0g True Blue, 158g SWC, CCI-500, _955fps, 18 SD, 48 ES, 15 Shots
6.5g True Blue, 158g SWC, CCI-500, 1039fps, 12 SD, 32 ES, 14 Shots Accurate
7.0g True Blue, 158g SWC, CCI-500, 1092fps, 10 SD, 31 ES, 14 Shots Accurate
7.5g True Blue, 158g SWC, CCI-500, 1165fps, _9 SD, 26 ES, 14 Shots Accurate
8.0g True Blue, 158g SWC, CCI-500, 1191fps, 12 SD, 41 ES, 14 Shots
8.5g True Blue, 158g SWC, CCI-500, 1246fps, 13 SD, 42 ES, 15 Shots

Wasn't liking what I was seeing until I hit 6.5g. The group just tightened right up at that point. Same with 7.0g. 7.5g looked fine too, but had a few more flyers that I contribute to me. At this time I would load 7.0g and call it a good working load at least in my test gun!

 

[grizz12]

I am getting good results with 4.2 gr TB under 125gr LFP in my glock 17

Although I am have a hard time trying to zero in on a load for lead 200 & 230gr .45acp, any glock shooters have suggestions?

 

[grizz12]

dbl post

 

[rclark]

Not a glock shooter, so I can't help you. I do shoot .45 ACP in a revolver, but with 250g RNFP bullets. Haven't tested yet with True Blue. Someone will probably come along with help!

Added more data to the .357 table today.

 

[rclark]

Added the last of the .357 data. No more powder .... 1# all gone . Anyway, hope it gives some of you some starting points for your own testing. I got loads now for my favorite calibers and am good to go if and when I want to use True Blue!

Anyway, anyone that has there favorite loads or comments, remember to post back here!

Picked up a bottle of 20/28 for some testing next.....

 

[moyneur]

I've been using True Blue for a couple of years, works well in my 9, before I sold it, I also used it in my 38, 357, 45lc & 454. I like Enforcer better in my magnum pistol, pretty close to 2400 and meters very well.

454 Casull______255 gr rnfp (Extreme plated bullet)_____SR Primer___20.5 gr True Blue
45 Long Colt____255 gr rnfp (Extreme plated bullet)_____LP Primer ____7.9 gr True Blue
357 Magnum____158 gr rnfp (Extreme plated bullet)____SMP Primer_____8.35 gr True Blue
38 Special______255 gr rnfp (Extreme plated bullet)_____SP Primer_____4.65 gr True Blue

454 Casull______255 gr rnfp (Extreme plated bullet)_____SRM Primer___28.65 gr Enforcer
357 Magnum_____158 gr rnfp (Extreme plated bullet)____SMP Primer___13.3 gr Enforcer

454 Casull_______255 gr rnfp (Extreme plated bullet)____SR Primer_____25.1 gr 2400
357 Magnum_____158 gr rnfp (Extreme plated bullet)____SMP Primer___13.45 gr 2400

 

[rclark]

moyneur, you might want to change '58' to '158' in your above .357 load. No velocity data?

 

[moyneur]

moyneur, you might want to change '58' to '158' in your above .357 load. No velocity data?

Thanks
took care of it
I thing I'm around 58 gr when loading snake shot....