Anybody use it. 230 cast and fmj recipes Likes. Dislikes. I have an 8 lb keg leftover from loading shot shells that i don’t load anymore
Been using 231 for years
Would like some input

Thanks

Why would you use a "Clays" trap powder to load a pistol load ?

will it work ?

If the powder name ain't got a number, I don't use it. Except of course for Unique, Bullseye, Red dot, BlackMZ.

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"Don't Give Up the Ship"

Just curious if anyone is using it. Hodgdon has loads listed for it. As far as pistol/shotshell loads go. 296 is a common powder used in .410

I have never used it but others have . It doesn’t deliver top velocity but is reported to shoot very very clean . Just google your question. You’ll find what you are looking for . Regards Paul

I use it for 38/357 target loads and same in 44. Velocity is not it’s strong suite, but it makes a fine target load. I use 125 to 158 gr in 38, and 200gr in 44. I think it would do better under a 185 SWC in .45. I like it because it makes accurate target loads, charge weights are economical, and it’s the cleanest powder I think I’ve used.

Shot shell powders are often used in pistol cartridges. For years I used WW540 ( currently called HS-6 ) for major loads in 38 super and have started using 540/HS-6 in 45 Colt.

Slow powders work well in a lot of pistol cartridges.

I’ve never used Clays but would certainly try it if I had some.

Here's some chrono results (10 shots each load) from a while back; please excuse my lack of Excel copying prowess:

Date 3/29/2016
Location BVRPC
Gun Kimber 1911
5"
Caliber 45 ACP

Mastercast
Bullet 185 SWC
Powder Clays

Cases WCC
Primer S&B LP

3.8 Gr. 3.9 Gr. 4.3 Gr. 4.7 Gr.
LO 764.2 790.1 837.5 923.3
HI 820.7 834.3 910.5 971.5
Spread 56.5 44.2 73.0 48.2
7.4% 5.6% 8.7% 5.2%

AVG 797.3 813.6 884.5 948.0
Std.Dev 21.3 17.3 19.0 14.5
2.7% 2.1% 2.1% 1.5%

I use "Clays" in my 38 Spec. and my 357 Mag. loads. It shoots very clean and with a low standard deviation. It pays to watch out for a double charge. That will get your attention real quick.

I to re-purposed my "Clays" from shot shell loading. Had about 6 lbs. left over from an 8 lb. jug. Still got quite a bit left. Good stuff.

Back when I was shooting USPSA ltd, my load used Clays with a 250gr lazer cast rnfp. Had no problem making the 175pf major, and was able to run a 11lb recoil spring. Load was accurate and very soft shooting.

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Peace was my Profession

4.0 CLAYS WITH A 230GR FMJ IS A GREAT LOAD. JP

Lyman #4 Cast Bullet manual lists 4.3 grs Clays with their 225 gr RN
at 818 fps at 17,100 CUP.

Clays is one of the best powders available for handgun loading.

Clays is the only powder I use any more for 200 Gr. cast SWC (H&G#68). Cleanest burning powder I have ever used. Never tried it with 230 Gr.

A few years back, I switched from BE to Clays mainly to lesson that black cloud that sometimes caused respiratory problems for me. I also switched to Carnuba Red lube to lessen the smoke. It was the best thing I could have done to increase my shooting time at the range. My 1911 used to look as if it was in a chimney fire after 50 or 60 rounds and required a deep cleaning after each use. Now I can go 2 or 3 range visits between a full takedown. I also agree that Clays softens the felt recoil which helps timed and rapid fire scores in bullseye matches. I am now about to switch to FMJ to lessen lead exposure and further promote clean air shooting.

3.4 to 3.5gr. of Clays is a very nice load using a 230gr lead bullet.

There are a bunch of us at my club that use Clays almost exclusively in our cast 45acp 230/200 gr "do all" loads. It is a good powder for this application as it's clean , has soft recoil and is pretty accurate. The only issue with it is that pressures will spike very quickly if you over do it. (So watch your overall length and for pressure signs) As always, you should get your info from a published source but will say that 3.8-3.9 gr /230 gr works for me in both my 625's and factory sprung 1911's.

ps. This has been discussed before if you do a search.

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Dave

I started out using Clays for 12 gauge loads. It is super clean. Quit shotgun and started using for handgun loads. ( multiple calibers) I am no ballistics expert by any means. It did what I needed it to do at the time. You can get on the powder websites and review loading data. Bob

On a Dillon press the bigest pain in the butt is adjusting the powder measure! So when I load 45 Colt, I use 6.7 of WW231, under a 220 RNFP, then I switch to 44-40 and don't adjust the measurer, I change to Clays powder. The same setting is 4.4 of Clays with a 200 RNFP. Velocity on both is about 750-800 (shoots to the Vaquero's sights)

In the early 2000's Hodgdon still printed reloading pamphlets (for free) The Cowboy Action pamphlet, had a Clays load for all the big bore revolver rounds, but the velocities are in the 'target range"!

I just looked in there current (2019) loading magazine (for $9.99) and Clays is listed for 45 ACP, and only for 185, 200 and 230 grain cast & 160,185,200 and 230 jacketed bullets.

Paper was invented to write things on, then the printing press was invented. Not everything from the paper world is on the internet. The reason is $$$, spend some! (and copyrights sort of protect that, everywhere but China!)

Ivan

Great powder for my 45 S&Ws. I load them only for the range and use 200 grain LRNFP. Very accurate and as good as any powder out there, maybe better for large caliber pistol target rounds.

It is, in my opinion, a better target powder than any of the old time shotgun powders like Unique, Bullseye, or Red Dot. For decades, it has been the very best shotgun powder out there because it is so clean burning.

I load Clays for 38 LC and Special, 44-40 in both revolver and rifle, 45 ACP, 45 Schofield & Colt, and 455. I find that 3.5g is too low in my old 6" guns with 200g bullets, giving me only around 550 fps. I have settled on 4g, resulting in averages from 650 to 700 fps. You can shoot it all day and it goes clean through paper targets every time!!

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Gary
SWCA 2515

The Hornady Reloading Manual 8th edition has data for 45 acp w/ 200 gr. Lead SWC with a powder listed as : CLAYS UNIV
starting load - 5.6 gr. @ 800 fps
max. load - 6.3 grs. @ 950 fps

would this powder be the CLAYS we are discussing or would CLAYS UNIV be a different powder ?

The same CLAYS UNIV also has load data for 45 acp and Hornady's 230 Lead RN bullet , both are soft swaged lead .
No data for this powder is shown for jacketed bullets of any weight ...
Gary

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Certified Cajun
NRA Member

CLAYS UNIVERSAL IS A DIFFERENT POWDER

Universal and Clay's are two different powders, though it says on the package that Universal is in the Clays family of powders.

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No good deed goes unpunished.

Clays is right in the same category as Bullseye, 700-X, and Red Dot. Hodgon's manual has loads using it for all .45 ACP bullet weights, just pull it up on the internet. No need to guess. Universal Clays is a different propellant, slower and somewhat like Unique. I have used Clays just like Bullseye, very similar results. Not great for use in heavier or Magnum loads, but it works fine for cartridges such as .38 Special, .44 Special, .45 Colt, and .45 ACP.

Most shotshell powders work well as pistol powders, and sometimes even for light lead bullet CF rifle loads. My favorite 9mm powder is Green Dot, which is sort of the standard for 20 Gauge reloading.

I use Hodgdon Clays in 45ACP, 38 & 44 Special and are some of my lightest recoiling, most accurate loads. I found that it's more accurate with light for caliber bullets though. Best thing about using Clays is not having to clean the brass before reloading again. It burns so clean that I just dust it off and send it through the press again

When the USPSA revolver division was limited to 6 round cylinders, the S&W Model 625 was the revo of choice. We all looked for soft shooting loads that made major. Clays was one of the top choices...very soft shooting and clean(if you don't load lubed lead bullets).

One Caveat: Clays is very fast and the powder charges are very small. Don't double charge!!! If you do you might be looking for a new gun.

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

I have used it and and still have some. It is very clean and accurate in 38 but after adding a little extra I felt like it spiked too much so I went back to a little slower powder that I feel is easier to control. Bullseye is the fastest powder I use and then only in 38-357 mid range wad cutters and 45 mid range acp.

per post #7;

I was fully aware at what I said but did you notice the day of the post ?

April 1st !!

Just having some fun.

I you take a side view, don't they look similar in proportion? Revolver cartridges and Shotshells?

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"Don't Give Up the Ship"

I have used it in just about all of my pistol loads, I bought it during the last shortage. It clean burning, low recoil.

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Carpriver.

I second these remarks.

I definitely use Clays, a lot. I use it for light loads in my .38 Specials, and in my 45 ACP's, 1911 and 1917's, my standard practice load is 4.3 gr. of Clays and a 230-ish gr. cast RN. Just about duplicates the original load and one can get well over 1500 rounds from 1 lb. of powder.

Accurate too!





308S

My Clays has recipes for handguns right on the label.

It says "Extra Clean Shotgun-Handgun Powder".

Plus I like the smell.

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Goal Life Member
Traveling Man

Most trap/skeet shotgun powders are in the same burning range as pistol powders. Many shotgun powders have been used for many years. My old standard when I first competing sith a .45 acp was AA452, (don't recall the load any more) and my current 200 gr LSWC .45 load is 5.3 gr Win Super Target.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244