Hodgdon Clays Powder

[StarshooterX]

I have used this powder for years loading 12ga for sporting clays shooting. This powder gives me consistent patterning results in WinAA hulls and 1 1/8 ounce shot loads. I found a close out deal and bought four 8 lbs containers. Now I am sitting on a huge supply and hope to use it for 9mm and 45 ACP loads.

I think there are a FEW loads out there but reviews are mixed with this Clays powder. My bullets will be 115 gr plated round nose for 9mm, and 230 gr plated RN for 45. Thoughts?

 

[AveragEd]

Clays will serve you well while being very clean-burning. I used to use it in all my handgun target rounds. However, as with every powder, your gun may not shoot its best with that powder. That was the case with my 1911s and revolvers - I found other powders that provided better accuracy. Not saying you will have that same experience...

Ed

 

[StarshooterX]

Clays will serve you well while being very clean-burning. I used to use it in all my handgun target rounds. However, as with every powder, your gun may not shoot it's best with that powder. That was the case with my 1911s and revolvers - I found other powders that provided better accuracy. Not saying you will have that same experience...

Ed

Agreed....that part is a **** shoot regarding the load any gun shoots best. Fingers crossed.

 

[SLT223]

It makes outstanding low velocity target loads for .38 SPL in a 357 case, and 44 SPL on a 44 RM case.

 

[rsrocket1]

Aw man, I love Clays for 3/4 oz 12 gauge skeet loads. However, it is only good for low velocity/low recoil loads in 45 ACP. In 9, you may not get enough velocity to cycle the slide without getting dangerously close to max pressure. As you know, Clays is an uber-fast powder and generates high pressures without driving the bullet (or wad and shot) too fast. It burns clean and even with low pressure situations, it may be smokey, but the flakes burn completely.

If your dealer has any Universal (sometimes called "Universal Clays") left over on clearance, grab it. It is Hodgdon's competitor to Alliant Unique and is a slower powder that will work great in 45 ACP and 9mm.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Clays is a great powder for "Cowboy loads", lead bullets in large cases at moderate to low velocity. Clays is not position sensitive, so those small charges in a big case won't be a problem. I've used it in 44-40, 44 Mag & Special, 45 Colt and Scofield. I would use it in every Cowboy load except I'm sitting 22 pounds of WW231, which has always been my go to handgun powder. Ivan

 

[noshow]

It makes outstanding low velocity target loads for .38 SPL in a 357 case, and 44 SPL on a 44 RM case.

I plan to use it in 357 cases with the Magtech 158gr RN. Is 750fps too slow for this load? What velocity would you suggest?

 

[bglz42]

I have been using Clays for years in .38 Special and .45ACP. Probably burned 30 lbs in PPC loads alone. Extreme accuracy. My 627-0 would eat the x-ring at 50 prone with a 158rn and Clays. I would not use it in 9mm...

 

[daniel lawecki]

Until recently Clays was my go to powder. In .38 special .45 acp and 45lc clean burning and a very accurate powder as well. In my two .45'S I had too stay near or at max to cycle my guns using a 200 grain cast SWC. But I was running a stock weight recoil spring. Play with your loads and you'll get hooked on this powder.

 

[fredj338]

Clays is a great performer in target or minor loads in the service calibers. Just be careful at the top end. It is what I like to call "spikey". The pressure curve seems to go vertical at max.

 

[fredj338]

I plan to use it in 357 cases with the Magtech 158gr RN. Is 750fps too slow for this load? What velocity would you suggest?

With a lead bullet, no problem, with jacketed, you are getting close to the 700fps threshold many say is the min.

 

[SLT223]

I plan to use it in 357 cases with the Magtech 158gr RN. Is 750fps too slow for this load? What velocity would you suggest?

Never chono'ed it, but I put 4.0gr of Clays under Xtreme 158's and it's boring accurate out all of my S&W revolvers. There's no sonic boom, I can tell you that much for sure.

 

[Wee Hooker]

I use clays in pretty much all my cast lead shooing in 45 and 38 spl. I know allot of other people who do as well. It's a great all around powder for target velocity loads in these calibers. I've also used it in 9mm and 40 but with less frequency and usually with mid weight cast bullets. I can't give you specific loads for your use since I don't load 9mm in 115 at all or 230 gr plated.

 

[Nevada Ed]

+1 with post #10

I used a lot of it in my 12 Ga. trap and skeet loads over the years. It is like a little slower Red Dot but still can get into high pressures with the full loads.

As the others, have used in 38 and 357 revolver loads but ran out of it before I started reloading for the 9mm again, so sorry, no info for you.

It should do well in light to medium heavy loads in your 9mm but if going for a full load I would double check the powder amounts and work slowly to the maximum loadings.

Good loading.