clays,357?
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Skip Sackett
US Veteran
Wrong powder for the cartridge. You might try data.hodgdon.com and see what they say but, it is too fast to get too much out of it. Clean burning for bunny pooter loads though.
BlueOvalBandit
Member
I'd probably even save if for only the 38spl loads, which are bunny "pooters" in comparison. Even though clays is pretty fluffy 3.5-5 gr of clays doesn't take up a whole lot of a 357 mag case. And clays does get kind of spikey in the upper end of the spectrum.
I load 3.5gr for 130gr 38 SUPER bunny fart loads and it is wonderfully clean even if it prints like 6 inches high at 20 yards from my full power loads zero.
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Hodgdon has load data for Clays and the .357 Magnum with 4 bullet weights but only for lead bullets, not jacketed bullets.
Check the Hodgdon Load Data Site.
Check the Hodgdon Load Data Site.
David LaPell
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From what I have read Clays works for the cast bullets but it does not have the versatility that 2400 does. With the number of different loads, both cast and jacketed that 2400 gives you it might be a better powder. Clays limits you on too much to only one type of bullet. If you are not worried about metering in a powder measure and can stand a bit more clean up, Unique isn't a bad choice to play with but for some really good loads, 2400 is not a bad way to go.
Cdog
Member
Clays will produce great accuracy in many apps, but a magnum wouldn't be one I'd choose it for either.
I keep it on hand and occasionally use it for light target .38 special etc, but Universal Clays is my all around favorite target powder.
I keep it on hand and occasionally use it for light target .38 special etc, but Universal Clays is my all around favorite target powder.
rsrocket1
Member
Just loaded 200 rounds of 158g RF cast lead over 2.5g Clays in 38 Special (600-700 fps and very low recoil). Unless you have 357 cases to waste and no 38 Special cases, use the light loads with the 38 cases.
These are excellent rounds for newcomers learning to shoot centerfire handgun and great for practicing trigger control when shooting double action.
As a warning, you should not use JHP's in low recoil loads, the jacket could get stuck in the barrel. You may see a new hole in the target and think the barrel is clear. The next round may be problematic.
Any powder other than Trail Boss will be tough to see in a 38 much less a 357 so be very careful when loading.
These are excellent rounds for newcomers learning to shoot centerfire handgun and great for practicing trigger control when shooting double action.
As a warning, you should not use JHP's in low recoil loads, the jacket could get stuck in the barrel. You may see a new hole in the target and think the barrel is clear. The next round may be problematic.
Any powder other than Trail Boss will be tough to see in a 38 much less a 357 so be very careful when loading.
BlueOvalBandit
Member
If they're 158gr lead swc just get some 38 spl cases. Hodgdon has a load specified for it. Its about 3gr of clays and with those heavy 158gr bullets its a powder puff, and doesn't foul up the cylinder as bad as other 38 spl loads. Case is about 1/2 full from what I recall, its a good load.
Skip Sackett
US Veteran
As Blue says, in the 38spl, it is a great powder. I shot competition against a guy that used it and 125gr LRNFP Cowboy bullets in PPC. He shot them in a M686 and that combo made it like shooting a 22LR! My load was with a 158gr bullet and Bullseye with a stock M586. I still beat him pretty well every time though! 
Clays, not for plated bullets in .357
I just shot some HSM plated 158 gr. over 3.5 gr. Clays. Got 2-bullets stuck in the barrel (2-separate times). Sticking to my HS6 loads for minimum from now on. They are real accurate at 8.0 gr. and a cast NEI p/c swc with a CCI 400 SRP. GP 100 6" barrel.
SLT223
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I've used 3.5-4 grains under 158's plated or coated for years. Very accurate, soft and clean shooting. When I was more active I made buckets of these loads. Same for cream puff loads in 44 Magnum brass...5-6gr under 200gr LRN. Eight pound containers of Clays really goes this distance in these applications.
DWalt
Member
Clays is very similar in performance to Bullseye, 700-X, AA2, Red Dot, etc. and is very good for mild to medium loads in about any caliber you can name. And it is very economical. But it is a poor choice for full power magnum loads. My favorite .38 Special load is 3.5 grains of Clays with a 158 grain lead SWC bullet, which produces a MV of around 800 FPS, and groups very well.
bluetopper
Member
Just keep it at 38 Special pressure levels and you will be fine.
SLT223
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You can go to .357 pressure levels safely in a .357 with Clays, but the velocity won't be there.
Alliant does the same thing for those fast powders. I think they call those "cowboy" loads. I use a similarly fast shotgun powder to load .357 lead for about 800 fps. Burns clean and shoots like a 38 spl.
If you try to load 2400 down to the bottom of the load range ladder for .357 it doesn't burn well. Unburnt powder will become obvious right away. Not good.
Personally, I don't think it's better for lower velocity lead loads. It shines for medium and high velocity loads however. I use it for 30 Carbine loads because it will push a 110 bullet to about 1900 fps. It's versatile in the respect that it can work with many high pressure cartridges with small case capacity. JMO.
I like 2400. I have about 5 lbs of it on hand.
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In my 38 and 357 it works well with Lead bullets.
If used with copper jacket bullets the high pressures cut its use, in a hurry.
However, it will also work in shotgun loads, if you have one and load them.
If used with copper jacket bullets the high pressures cut its use, in a hurry.
However, it will also work in shotgun loads, if you have one and load them.
