Clays powder

[yugolovr]

How good is it in the .38 special and the 45 acp? Found some at a local store but didn't buy. I wanted your opinions and observations on it first. I have used 231 and unique in both these powders but can't find any. Thanks in advance.

 

[Sven]

I bought a can of Clays for bullseye loads for my .45acp, but haven't tried it, yet. Still have 3+lbs of Red Dot to burn.

Personal preference, but I like to fill the .38 spl case a little more so I've been using Universal Clays or Unique. Got some old Herco from a friend who had to quit reloading because of Alzheimers -- that worked well also.

 

[bnewc75]

don't know about 45acp but I shot a few rounds of 38spl tonight 148gr HBWC with 2.3 gr of Clays it performed about similar to 2.7gr of Bullseye behind 148gr HBWC. The Clays had a little more snap than the Bullseye at discharge IMO (model 15-4 4")

 

[Skip Sackett]

In my experience Clays is a good powder for the calibers you have mentioned. Low end loads work quite well with it. It is a "staple" for one of my friends that I shoot competition with.

I don't like it, but that is just me. In the higher pressure rounds, like the 40S&W, it's pressure curve is too steep for my liking. A little over charge and the "spike" could cause catastrophic damage, as another forum member and myself found out the hard way.

Revolver rounds or low pressure auto rounds and it will be fine. Stick with Hodgdon's data though, don't go over it.

 

[David Sinko]

I have discovered that Clays is the best thing going for Minor power factor in .38 Special, .38 Super, .40 S&W, .45 ACP and .45 Colt. I also use it for Major power factor in .45 ACP and .45 Colt. A little bit goes a long way. Some actually load .40 Major with it but I would not recommend that.

I use it only for competition shooting. For any real world application (field or street) there is always something much better. Can't beat it for match loads, though.

Dave Sinko

 

[John R]

Clays is a great powder for low pressure handgun rounds, like 38, 45.
In high pressure rounds like the 9, 40, it's not good.
As said above, it will spike to very high pressure very fast, and without warning.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Hodgdon claims:

The superb burning characteristics of this powder produce soft, smooth recoil and excellent patterns. These features transfer directly to handgun applications where target shooting is the main goal. 45 ACP and 38 Special are only two of the cartridges where CLAYS gunpowder provides "tack driving" target accuracy with flawless functioning.

They are telling the truth. If Clays metered better at the light charge weights associated with the .38 Special (2.5gr) I would use it all the time. Since it doesn't meter well I use W231 unless I'm in the mood to deal with Clays. Clays is very accurate, clean and soft shooting in both the .38 Special and 45 Auto.

I don't like it in the 45 Colt because Clays takes up very little space in that large case.

 

[MrPhil]

Clays is what I use for 45ACP target loads. 3.5 grains pushing a 200 grain plated SWC are just the ticket. I've also used it successfully in 38 special.

Also, Clays meters quite well for me in Dillon powder measures. Very consistent.

High pressure calibers get appropriate powders. For me, Clays is for low pressure target loads.

 

[yugolovr]

I went to there web site to check there load data for the 38 special 158 grain semi wadcutter. I found that I could get the velocity I want of 825 to 850 fps without much change to the start load. I really appreciate all the info you guys gave on this powder.

 

[Frank237]

I load several thousand 12 ga 1 oz shotshells for trap each year, all with CLAYS. Use it in my .38 Special and for some of my .45 Colt reloads.

I paid $92 for an 8# jug. Kept one jug solely for pistol loads. Should go a LONG way.

FN in MT

 

[Stillwater788]

Clays is all I use for .38spl SSR loads in IDPA. 3.9-4.0 grains under a 147 or 158 lead bullet will make power factor in most of my revos - note that this is a +P load. Clays is very clean - just the ticket in a revo. It's accurate and soft shooting as well...and relatively cheap. What's not to like?

 

[Steve C]

Clays is a fast powder and good for light target velocity loads in the .38 spl and .45acp. It has rather large flakes but meters as well as Unique. While it appears to be less expensive you should note that its not sold in 1lb containers but a shorter weight of 14 oz so its really not any cheaper than any other powder.

 

[magnum12pm]

I have used Clays in just about everything I own for target shooting with no problems, I paid $97.99 for an 8 pounder..

Originally posted by Steve C:
Clays is a fast powder and good for light target velocity loads in the .38 spl and .45acp. It has rather large flakes but meters as well as Unique. While it appears to be less expensive you should note that its not sold in 1lb containers but a shorter weight of 14 oz so its really not any cheaper than any other powder.

 

[Beans]

I am using CLAYS to load minor PF in my 40 S&W,
2.9 Grs of clays behind a 180 Gr Magma Bullet( wheel weights) and WSP primers.

I am getting 740 fps@ 10 ft, in my Glock 35, with a Storm lake after market barrel

This is a light target load, the brass drops within 3 ft of me, function in 100%, accuracy is under 1-1/2 inches at 20 yards.

 

[acl864]

I just bought a can of Clays to try in 38 Special. Hodgdon doesn't list data for a 148 Gr. DEWC. Any pet loads out there for 148 Gr. DEWC using Clays? Looking for target/plinking loads.

 

[PPC'r]

I use clays in .40 and .45, but have found it a little inconsistent in .38, due to the fact it is a small amount of powder in a fairly large volume case. It seems to be positionally sensitive when loaded in the .38 with HBWC bullets. In my experience I have found that the first round fired out of the gun sometimes is very light, than the next five rounds are normal, due to the fact the recoil has put the powder back in the case where the primer is. In the .38, I now use Titegroup and have very good results and it is very consistent. Titegroup is not positionally sensitive at all. But I love Clays in .40 and .45.

 

[Dale53]

acl864l
Hodgdon's Manual #26 shows:

148 gr Lead Bevel Base:
2.5 grs 799 fps / 3.2 grs 950 fps 15,800 cup

Dale53

 

[bluetopper]

I'll say the same things.......Clays is great for 38 & 45acp. Soft shooting and very accurate.
I've tried it in other higher pressure calibers and didn't like it.
A powder that performs as well and not as pressure sensitive and a bit more versatile is American Select.

 

[acl864]

Thanks Dale53. That will help. The current Hodgdon data only lists loads for 148 gr. HBWC.