Clays and 158gr cast 357

[kidneyboy]

Anyone use this combo? I have 158gr RNFP and 158gr SWC and loading for my 1894 Marlin.
Hodgdon shows a pretty large charge weight range - 3.2 to 4.6gr.

 

[Walkalong]

3.3 Grs with a plated 158 Gr SWC or HP gave me around 735 FPS from a 6" Trooper Mk III, was pleasant and accurate. 1.554 OAL for either one.

Pressure goes up quickly as you increase charge weights with Clays, I used 4.0 with plated 125s and it was absolutely not low pressure.

 

[lordpaxman]

I use that combination but in .38 not .357. I’m limited to a 686 until I get a rifle. Clays doesn’t meter well for me in a rotary, but the drops are still within spec and I don’t push the high end. It burns clean and has a soft felt recoil for target loads. Even though it doesn’t meter as well as Titegroup, I prefer it for target loads. Good luck.

 

[kidneyboy]

Pressure goes up quickly as you increase charge weights with Clays

Yes, which is why I thought to ask around a bit before starting.

 

[627PCFan]

I too could not get consistent drops, gave up. Accuracy was lacking because of it I believe.

 

[Bill M.]

I recently loaded and shot 150 loads of 4.0 grains of Clays and 158 gr HiTek coated bullets. Very clean shooting. Accuracy was good. Load was a little more recoil than I like for plinking but the accuracy was worth it. Clays is hard to drop accurately. But the variations have less effect on velocity than with some other powders. I figure about 15 fps per 0.10 grain change. I switched to HP38 for now because I can get slower loads with it and it meters right on. And because I have some.