A Clean Powder

[magnum12pm]

I have seen many shooters speak of this powder is cleaner than that powder. My guns always seem to come home with plenty of crud on them. I was shopping with my cousin for powder, no Titegroup. My cousin says Clays might be an alternative. I took a chance got 8 pounds for $96.99, worked up a load. I took 100 to range shot them, pulled the gun apart for cleaning and was a bit shocked, noticably cleaner than what I was used to. Well with an 8 pounder, it should last a while.

 

[magnum12pm]

I have seen many shooters speak of this powder is cleaner than that powder. My guns always seem to come home with plenty of crud on them. I was shopping with my cousin for powder, no Titegroup. My cousin says Clays might be an alternative. I took a chance got 8 pounds for $96.99, worked up a load. I took 100 to range shot them, pulled the gun apart for cleaning and was a bit shocked, noticably cleaner than what I was used to. Well with an 8 pounder, it should last a while.

 

[Erich]

Nice!

Thanks for the report.

 

[TSQUARED]

magnum12pm,
You did not mention the caliber for which you loaded nor the bullets you used. In 9mm and moderate to full power 40 S&W loads powders such as W-231, WSF, N-320, N-330 burn quite cleanly. The same powders in a low presuure cartridge such as 45 ACP are much smokier. I would avoid titegroup for lead bullet loads as is appears to maximize the smoke.
For 9mm I prefer WSF, Bullseye or the Vihtavouri powders. For Mild loads in 40 S&W and 45 ACP I use either WST or American Select. For lead bullets in 38 Special I use Trail Boss while with jacketed bullest I use either American Select or Titegroup. I try to avoid Tiotegroup whenever possible since it's very dense and one cannot see the powder in a long case - 38 Special or 357 Magnum.

 

[handgunner356]

I use the Clays in .38 & .45 Target loads, and the Universal Clays in 9mm & .40 hotter loads. All seem to be quite clean with lead bullets.

 

[Skip Sackett]

magnum,
Clays is a good powder, I just refuse to use it in my auto loaders anymore. The pressure curve is so steep that it can be an accident waiting to happen. Bullet setback in an auto with an unsupported chamber coupled with Clays powder can be a real problem. Don't ask me how I know!

In light target rounds for revolvers, I wouldn't hesitate to use it. It does burn cleaner than some others I have used.

I almost made a smart comment by reading your thread title. This debate gets silly at times and well, I just feel that you have to clean your firearms anyway. What difference does it make HOW dirty they are? If you are going to have a near explosion in a confined space with one end sealed off by lead, it seems to me things are just going to get dirty period.

My smart comment was going to be something like: "Johnson's & Johnson's" maybe?

 

[magnum12pm]

SmithCrazy: You may comment as you like because I agree with you! I don't care how dirty my gun is when I get home because I clean them every time I shoot. I was just saying that I noticed that it seems cleaner than my usual powder. I guy has to use whatever powder he can get his hands on these days. I will say that you cannot over charge with it in a 40sw, because it runs over the case unlike Titegroup, which you can easily triple charge.

 

[magnum12pm]

I was using 4.5 grn. of clays, over 135grn berries plated, in 40sw. I shot a couple of Blazer brass factory loads to compare. My loads seemed a little less potent than the Blazer Brass. I would like to try some Bullseye, some day, but everytime I go to the store they are out of it. Its is apparently very popular. I will get some one of these days, lucky days I guess. I do have an eight pounder of American Select, thought I would try it because I got a deal on it, Eight pounds for 76.99.

Originally posted by TSQUARED:
magnum12pm,
You did not mention the caliber for which you loaded nor the bullets you used. In 9mm and moderate to full power 40 S&W loads powders such as W-231, WSF, N-320, N-330 burn quite cleanly. The same powders in a low presuure cartridge such as 45 ACP are much smokier. I would avoid titegroup for lead bullet loads as is appears to maximize the smoke.
For 9mm I prefer WSF, Bullseye or the Vihtavouri powders. For Mild loads in 40 S&W and 45 ACP I use either WST or American Select. For lead bullets in 38 Special I use Trail Boss while with jacketed bullest I use either American Select or Titegroup. I try to avoid Tiotegroup whenever possible since it's very dense and one cannot see the powder in a long case - 38 Special or 357 Magnum.

 

[Skip Sackett]

I will say that you cannot over charge with it in a 40sw

That was the caliber I had problems with it in! It is more filling than Titegroup BUT you can make an overpressure round with it.

By the way, I'm not the only one that has had this problem with Clays powder and an unsupported chamber. BE CAREFUL!