Why use a bootloader?

[mister_e]

In theory yes it has to work. Now the small timing issue you may have is the latency of the USB to serial converter. But I do remember to have successfully used some in the past.

Finger crossed.

One thing I would suggest to be really careful about is if you use ICSP later... MCLR have to go somewhere 'round 13Volts... not sure if your converter will like it... As Mackrackit says... "Always wear safety glasses while programming. "