[rnewman]

I inherited a Ivers and Johnson .38 brake top and according to all the info I can find It was made to shoot smokeless powder. I was thinking that trail boss would be a good powder to use but there isn't any data. Midway sells a 146 gr cast round nose bullet and star line has the brass. I think I read somewhere you could fill the case to the bottom of the bullet, with trail boss, then take 70% of the powder and that was a starting load. But with a 100 year old gun I'm not sure if that's a good Idea. Any thoughts?

 

[gdmoody]

Welcome to the forum rnewman.

I have looked through all three manuals that I have plus I tried three different websites and cannot find any data at all on the 38S&W and Trailboss powder. My first thought is , there would be no way that I would basically just scoop some powder into a case and load it, which is basically what you are saying. I have heard the same kind of things about trailboss but . . . . Like I said - no way in God's green earth.

 

[BillM]

There is data on the IMR website for short colt loads. Use that.
38 S&W is a VERY slightly larger case, and the bore is a few
thousandths larger----but close enough to short colt to share
load data.

 

[Alpo]

I'd give Hodgdon a shout and ask them.
http://hodgdon.com/ They've always been real nice about answering any questions I've had.

They have 38 short colt data, which should work. I would use it. But then, I'm not you.

http://www.imrpowder.com/data/handgun/trailboss-feb2005.php