Product Overview and Introduction

Achieve safe, authentic, and historically accurate performance in vintage revolvers, single-action army clones, and reduced-velocity rifle cartridges with Hodgdon Trail Boss Smokeless Gun Powder. Developed specifically with the Cowboy Action shooting community in mind, Trail Boss is one of the most unique and innovative propellants on the reloading market, engineered to solve the dangerous problem of accidental double-charges in large-capacity brass.

Unlike traditional powders that pool at the bottom of cavernous antique cartridges like the .45 Colt, .44-40 Winchester, and .38-55 Win, Trail Boss features an exclusive “doughnut-shaped” extruded grain that occupies a large volume relative to its weight. This revolutionary physical geometry ensures that a double charge will physically overflow the case, making it virtually impossible to double-load a cartridge unobserved while providing a mild, low-pressure velocity curve ideal for lead bullets.

Revolutionary Low-Density Extruded Technology

Engineered to meet the exact safety and performance demands of historical shooters and cast-bullet enthusiasts, Trail Boss offers distinct advantages on the reloading bench:

• Unmatched Double-Charge Safety: High-volume geometry physically prevents double-charging by overflowing the case if a second charge is inadvertently added.

• Optimized for Cast Lead Bullets: Tailored burn rate and pressure curve prevent lead stripping and barrel fouling, ensuring exceptional accuracy with plain-base lead projectiles.

• Unique Doughnut-Shaped Morphology: Specially engineered porous extrusions provide high volume-to-weight ratio, ensuring excellent case fill in historical and low-capacity rifle cases.

• Mild Recoil and Report: Delivers comfortable, manageable velocities that mimic historical black powder ballistics without the heavy fouling and corrosive cleanup.

The Professional Choice for Cowboy Action and Reduced Loads

When your historical shooting discipline, cowboy action competition, or low-recoil training regimen demands absolute safety from double-charges and superb accuracy with cast bullets in calibers like .45 Colt and .38 Special, Hodgdon Trail Boss stands out as an irreplaceable staple for the reloading bench.

Key Features and Benefits

• Cowboy Action Specialist: Purpose-built for historical pistol and rifle calibers using lead bullets.

• Double-Charge Prevention: Low-density physical structure makes visual inspection foolproof against overcharging.

• Cast Bullet Friendly: Clean combustion and mild pressure prevent leading in vintage and modern barrels.

• Available Container Sizes: Offered in specialized 9-ounce canisters and economical 2-pound jugs.

Specifications

• Product Type: Rifle and Handgun Smokeless Propellant / Gun Powder

• Brand: Hodgdon

• Product Line: Trail Boss

• Powder Type: Low-Density Extruded Doughnut-Shaped Propellant

• Primary Applications: Cowboy Action Shooting, Reduced Rifle Loads, .45 Colt, .38-55 Winchester, .44-40 Win, and Vintage Handgun/Rifle Cartridges

• Container Options: 9 oz and 2 lb Packages

• Storage Requirement: Store in a cool, dry place away from heat, sparks, and open flames