Clays performance in 45acp

[txgho1911]

I have tried out Clays in the 45 with 230 FMJ with 3.6-4.0 loads over CCI300lr.
I don't have a crony but I imagine that willbe sooner than later. What performance have everyone who does have a crony get with loading Clays in a 45acp 1911 5"?

I just got 1,000 *-* cases and just want an idea before I try to load the 230gr JHP bullets I have. Rem golden saber bullets. Looks like a drive band of jacket on this bullet of about .2" from base to midway up the bullet cylinder. This tells me it may experience half the resistance the FMJ experience traveling down bore.

From other threads I've read here that might bring a 4gr clays load up to factory ammo speeds.

I am forgetting something in this post so I'll say it here. I have not found any source confidently using a charge of this size of this powder under 230gr FMJ anywhere. This load may be a keeper for my gun and my gun allone. This load may blow your gun up.
Until I find more solid data 4.0 gr of Clays is my max load in this cartridge.

 

[rick_in_lb]

Here is a link that might help you and other info

http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/d...=230&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=Hodgdon

I know it's long but it will take you there. Good Luck <><

 

[lycanthrope]

I'm using 3.8 under 230gr LRN. It runs around 800fps. 4.0 should be fine with FMJ.

 

[txgho1911]

Found some data

Same place as Rick posted.

http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/d...=230&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=Hodgdon
Listed as a max load!

 

[HSMITH]

I use a lot of Clays in 45.

200LSWC with 4.4 gets me 850. 230 FMJ and 3.8 gets me 750. 230 JHP and 4.0 gets me 825-850ish depending on the bullet. All from a 5" barrel.

Is the Golden Sabre a typical jacket or is it some sort of brass alloy? I might be off but I remember something about the jacket being a brass alloy. If it is be aware that the brass jackets aren't a 1-1 comparison to copper jackets. The driving area of the bullet might be shorter but resistance might not be less. This is pure speculation on my part, hopefully someone that knows the details of the Golden Sabre will stop by and comment. If not you might shoot an email or a PM to WESHOOT2, a more learned reloader will be very very hard to find......

 

[txgho1911]

I am not sure of composition and my guess on a reduced driving surface and reuced friction is also just speculation. Hoping it is better than an even trade.

 

[txgho1911]

chrony range report

I tested some factory loads and several book loads.
Factory loads performed dismally
230gr jhp golden saber 6 shot group
850.3 fps
865.4 fps
844.6 fps
883.7 fps
810.1 fps
858.1 fps

I like loading the bullet because the shape allows for reduced friction in the barrel. Bullet surface area is reduced to about 2/3 as this is a banded bullet. My book loads where all much faster than expected. What I load for range ammo will end up as a very reduced load.

I was using 2 different chronys on different days. I think the first set where read wrong or the chrony was reading muzzle blast.

Original test had clays loaded from 4gr to 4.*gr (CAUTION PUBLISHED LOAD FOR THIS WIEGHT/SIZE/TYPE STOPS AT 4GR DO NOT EXCEED!). Second test was some 4.* gr loads.
942.3fps
934.5fps
942.9fps
936.5fps
935.1fps
940.3fps
931.3fps
930.4fps
931.7fps
12.2 spread
936.1 ave

Other book loads I have tried with this. Golden Saber 230gr JHP 45acp.
Universal Clays 5 shot groups except where noted
5gr 774fps av 55.2es
5.1gr 804.9fps av 102 es
6gr 1004.6fps av 35.7es
6.3gr 1036 fps av 30es
6.4gr 1055 fps av 22es 4 shots

Vihtavuori N340
6.3gr 963.7 av 19.3es
6.5gr 982.7 av 61.2es
6.7gr 1017 av 12es

Longshot
6.4gr 839.3av 19.9es
6.6gr 876.7av 30.7es
6.8gr 906.8av 58es 4 shots

I inspected and kept seperated all cases from the top loads for a second opinion. I do not see evidence of over pressure in any loadings. Not sure it can with published loads given the reduced barrel contact and possibly a softer alloy jacket. Again this is a banded bullet. For my purposes I will be down loading these to target an 850-875 ave.