Clays .38 Special 125: HUGE variations in data

[mdi]

That is too light for the application and will likely cause a squib.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=10068925&postcount=8

You want a minimum of 600 FPS powder forward to prevent squids. You can get by with a little lower, but that is a good target velocity powder away from the primer.

I rarely if ever give any load data on a forum, but this load of 2.5 gr. of Clays is directly out of my 2015 Hodgdon manual. Page 154-155, 125 gr. cast LRNFP (I mentioned I used lead data for plated bullets), 2.5 gr Clays = 819 fps with a 7.7" barrel, prolly a universal receiver, running 8,400 CUP, up to 3.5 for 978 fps, with 16,900 CUP.

 

[Walkalong]

2.5 gr Clays = 819 fps with a 7.7" barrel, prolly a universal receiver, running 8,400 CUP, up to 3.5 for 978 fps, with 16,900 CUP.

That looks good for lead, but I would be surprised if it was a good load with a plated bullet, and I still say it might cause a stuck bullet with a plated bullet. Want to try it for us? Clays is one of the better ones when powder forward in a case, but. 2.5 is awfully light.

I could always load some and check them powder back and powder forward, but would rather you did so no one can think I am not being truthful if it doesn't work. And if they work for you, I'll believe you, but be a little bit surprised.

 

[Zendude]

For plated bullets, I would start at the jacketed minimum load. According to the Hodgdon website, that's 3.5gr.

 

[mdi]

As I stated in my first post, I use lead data for plated bullets. In the 1,000 rounds I have loaded, all starting with book starting loads, I have not had any squibs. I don't have any Clays so I leave empirical testing to you...