Clays Powder

[schmeky]

I have been reloading for about 30 years. For over 20 years I used Bullseye and Unique. I switched to 231 several years ago since it metered so well (being a sperical powder) and burned so clean.

How is Clays compared to 231? I shoot 9/40/45 with heavy emphasis on 45, about 4-500 rounds a month, so economy is important as well. I know Clays can get the job done with a very small charge.

Thanx.

 

[Maelstrom]

I switched from 231 to Clays a few years ago. Personally I love it. You won't win any speed contests but I've noticed it burns really clean compared to the Winchester stuff.

 

[Mal H]

In my book, "Clays" Clays is a little too fast for use in all three of those calibers. I prefer Universal Clays (and buy it in 8 lb containers). Universal is slower in burn rate and a bit closer to W231. Clays is closer to Bullseye, and depending on which burn rate chart you use is usually listed as being faster.

Universal is a clean burning powder when used as prescribed. If you try to download it, it will soot like any other powder that is burned under lower than ideal pressure.

 

[SR_]

I use Clays and Titegroup for .38 Special +P, 9mm and 45ACP.

I use a press that advances the case from station to station (Dillon SDB) - it would be easy to double charge a case with either of these powders. I mention this because it seems to be a (very reasonable) concern for some.

I shoot IDPA so I down load 9mm and 45 ACP and 'upload' the .38 Speical - when compared to factory loads.

 

[rangerphil]

I am also a fan of Universal Clays and use it exclusively in the calibers mentioned.

 

[zxcvbob]

Anybody tried "International Clays"? It ought to be good in .38SPL and 9mm, but there's no handgun data for it -- at all.

I've heard somewhere that it might be marketed in Australia under a different name and there might be load data for it that way.

 

[Jim Watson]

Hodgdon told one pistol shooter that International Clays was prone to sharp increases in pressure at what appeared to be a normal range of charge weights, therefore they did not recommend it.

Clays is very fast burning as a pistol powder. It will make .45 ACP Major with a cast bullet at the top of published loads, but that is about it. It had a short popularity in .40 caliber until people found out the hard way that mild recoil did not mean low pressure.

 

[Jayman]

Titegroup works well in all of the calibers you list, and it is a little more forgiving, pressure/burn rate wise, than Clays. It is a low volume powder, however, so you can quite easily double charge a case with it if you are not careful. (And maybe even triple charge, depending on the caliber/case/load in question.)

I have shot thousands of rounds of 9mm and .40s&w using Titegroup. I have not used it in .45acp, but a very good competitive shooter I know was using a lot of it behind his .45 slugs.

 

[D. Manley]

Clays Powder

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have been reloading for about 30 years. For over 20 years I used Bullseye and Unique. I switched to 231 several years ago since it metered so well (being a sperical powder) and burned so clean.

How is Clays compared to 231? I shoot 9/40/45 with heavy emphasis on 45, about 4-500 rounds a month, so economy is important as well. I know Clays can get the job done with a very small charge.

Thanx.

I personally don't care for Clays in 9MM but there are some do use it with heavier (147 grain) bullets. I have not shot it in .40 but I don't think it would be my choice there either. That said, Clays is beautiful in .45 ACP with 230 grainers...lead, plated or FMJ. My favorite is 3.9 grains under a 230 grain Rainier plated...soft, accurate & clean.

 

[zxcvbob]

I've heard somewhere that it [International] might be marketed in Australia under a different name and there might be load data for it that way.

ADI powder. Probably something like "AS-50N". Maybe not worth the risk though, there's so many good powders.

 

[Galil5.56]

Anybody tried "International Clays"? It ought to be good in .38SPL and 9mm, but there's no handgun data for it -- at all.

Hodgdon has published ADI worked up Cowboy handgun loads using International Clays for years. I have worked up some light 9mm/125 and 45/200 cast loads using this propellant, and so far, so good. Got some 240 cast in 44 mag ready to go this week with Int Clays, and 38 special will be next with 158 cast SWC's. It does burn clean, but does not meter all that great.

I contacted ADI about load development with AS50N, and they said nothing other than what is published is available. Damn shame, as its Green dot-ish burning rate would place it in a good spot for many.

 

[bluetopper]

Clays is the cat's meow in 45 and 38, but you don't dare push the envelope. It will bulge those cases.

I tried 2.7gr of it this weekend in 9mm 147gr with great results........but again, a little dab'll do ya.

 

[zxcvbob]

I contacted ADI about load development with AS50N, and they said nothing other than what is published is available. Damn shame, as its Green dot-ish burning rate would place it in a good spot for many.

AS-50N is one of the powders listed in QuickLoad. You can do a lot of load development with just that. A chronograph would help though, to tell you when the predicted muzzle energies (and therefore pressures) are starting to get off.

It does burn clean, but does not meter all that great.

For some reason I assumed it would meter better than Green Dot. That's why I was interested in it.