Ever run Clays in a 9mm?

[D.B. Cooper]

Anyone here ever tried loading 115 grn 9mm FMJ ammo using Hodgdon Clays powder?

I have a jug of Hodgdon Clays that I bought for another caliber. It's the only pistol powder I have, and no other powder of any kind is or will be available-at any price-at least for the foreseeable future. So it's either Clays or scrounge for factory ammo in the stores.

What kind of results can I expect? According to Hodgdon, a max load of 3.4 will push 115 grn projectile 1039 fps-about 150 fps slower than your basic range ammo FMJ. Will that cycle a full size pistol reliably?

Any other thoughts on this idea?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

No I have not, it's too fast a powder for the 9mm IMO. Universal would be a better choice in the Clays family.

 

[JEBruns]

I've run it a lot in 115gr FMJ RN loads. My favorite 9mm powder. Accurate, soft shooting and clean. I've run a lot of other powders in 9mm, but keep coming back to Clays. Cycles all of our 9's well, including a P320 X5 and CZ Shadow 2.

 

[Walkalong]

It's real fast for 9MM, so be real careful working it up, watch OAL carefully, etc. Like you have observed, it's not going to get top velocity, but will work for light plinker loads.

Clays is good stuff, but not very forgiving at the top, and 9MM is a small case where a little change can make a big difference, so just realize it's shortcomings in 9MM, and be careful.

 

[lordpaxman]

Tagging in as interested. I run Clays in other larger calibers especially .45 but my LNL powder measure doesn’t like to throw it consistently enough so I never tried 9mm. Now that I have a blue measurer I might see how consistent it is. I used to shoot with some icore guys that used Clays exclusively. Good luck.

 

[rfwobbly]

Yes, but only with 124gr JHP. In those it can be used for plinking rounds, but with 124gr you'll never make PF for competition.

Suggest using it in 38Spcl or 45ACP. Those are lower pressure rounds that appreciate faster powders.

 

[jmorris]

I have run lots of clays in 45 ACP both major and minor loads, a little dirty at low “minor” pressures but generally use a faster powder for 9mm (VVN310).



That 3.4 grain “max” load they have is only 31,000 cup.

31,000 cup = 29,094 PSI

Max pressure for 9mm is 35,000 psi.

I would expect them to be on the light side.

 

[Cliff6]

I've loaded and shot lots of Clays in 9mm. 3.2 grains with a 115 grain. Cycles all my 9mm pistols and carbines just fine. My only complaint is that I pretty much have to weigh each charge since Clays meters rather inconsistantly at these small amounts. Makes for a relaxing winter evening project though.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

Thanks for the responses. For those who have said "use another powder," that is absolutely not an option. I guess I understated the unavailability of components in my area. All reloading is completely unobtainium. It's Clays or nothing.

Regarding burn speed and pressures, should I just run a minimum load as a margin for safety? I really can't do any "working up." I need 1k rounds for a training class and I have exactly...1k primers. That is all there is and there won't be any more. (Although, it may be possible to scrounge up 1k rounds of factory ammo for the class and then "backfill" so to speak that loss of ammo with handloads.)

 

[Walkalong]

Sounds like @Cliff6 may have your answer.

1K is a really big test batch.

 

[Barbaroja]

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...ad-link-required.883031/page-57#post-12165552

Powder isn’t that hard to find these days.

That said I’ve used clays without issues but you need to work up a load. What difference would it make if you showed up with 970rnds vs 1000?

 

[D.B. Cooper]

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...ad-link-required.883031/page-57#post-12165552

Powder isn’t that hard to find these days.

That said I’ve used clays without issues but you need to work up a load. What difference would it make if you showed up with 970rnds vs 1000?

That stuff can't be shipped to Alaska.

But you're right, and so is @Walkalong: 1k is a big test batch. Even if I used 30-50 for experimenting, I can find a 50 rd box of factory ammo a lot easier than I can find 1k.

 

[jmorris]

Regarding burn speed and pressures, should I just run a minimum load as a margin for safety? I really can't do any "working up." I need 1k rounds for a training class and I have exactly...1k primers. That is all there is and there won't be any more.

I would never, ever load 1000 rounds of a load that I am not absolutely sure runs 100%!…again. I suggest a hammer type puller, will be a once in a lifetime lesson. Even more so when things are scarce and valuable to you.

I would also never, ever, take a firearm and ammunition that I was not 100% sure would run, to a class I have to travel to and pay for. Actually I take backups. I haven’t needed them myself because of the first lesson I learned but have seen quite a few folks waste their day and cut into others (if you are not the only one being instructed). You would get more out of watching videos than an in person pistol shooting class, if all you have is a single shot pistol.

Taking 900 rounds (or even 500) of ammunition that you know works to a class they told you to bring 1000 to, would be much more beneficial that 1000 rounds of stuff that chokes.

 

[Barbaroja]

That stuff can't be shipped to Alaska.

But you're right, and so is @Walkalong: 1k is a big test batch. Even if I used 30-50 for experimenting, I can find a 50 rd box of factory ammo a lot easier than I can find 1k.

Oh I see, damn shame them won’t ship to you boys up north!

 

[atonguis]

Thanks for the responses. For those who have said "use another powder," that is absolutely not an option. I guess I understated the unavailability of components in my area. All reloading is completely unobtainium. It's Clays or nothing.

Regarding burn speed and pressures, should I just run a minimum load as a margin for safety? I really can't do any "working up." I need 1k rounds for a training class and I have exactly...1k primers. That is all there is and there won't be any more. (Although, it may be possible to scrounge up 1k rounds of factory ammo for the class and then "backfill" so to speak that loss of ammo with handloads.)

Not trying to get into your business but you can buy powders off the internet, I just bought 5lbs of true blue straight from the mfg couple of days ago. It is out there to be had, just have to look and only buy from well known places. I understand tho wanting to use what you have, it will work for plinkers, just pay attention.

 

[Buzznrose]

From the Hodgdon site:

https://shop.hodgdon.com/hodgdon/hodgdon-clays

 

[JEBruns]

If you are not shooting lead projectiles, use the higher amounts for starting loads listed in Buzznrose's post.

 

[JEBruns]

Not trying to get into your business but you can buy powders off the internet, I just bought 5lbs of true blue straight from the mfg couple of days ago. It is out there to be had, just have to look and only buy from well known places. I understand tho wanting to use what you have, it will work for plinkers, just pay attention.

But he said they won't ship to Alaska.

 

[Zahn]

That stuff can't be shipped to Alaska.

But you're right, and so is @Walkalong: 1k is a big test batch. Even if I used 30-50 for experimenting, I can find a 50 rd box of factory ammo a lot easier than I can find 1k.

How about buying a box of 50, pull the bullets, and reload with Clays? There's your workup and testing.

 

[Jim Watson]

I have not loaded 9mm with Clays but have used a good bit of similarly fast burning, large flake 700X.
To get reliable metering, I hung a vibrator on the Dillon powder measure. I used an aquarium air pump, cheap at Walmart.
I ended up at or within a tenth of a grain of maximum.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

Not trying to get into your business but you can buy powders off the internet

Gunpowder and primers cannot be shipped to Alaska.

 

[rfwobbly]

Found this data today (dated 2016) with 115gr in 9mm...

More load testing today with 115gr bullets and the new (Canadian) Clays...

Bullet: 115gr Remington FMJ loaded at 1.140" OAL
Primer: Winchester SPP
Brass: Winchester
Caliber: 9x19 Luger
Pistol: CZ SP-01 with 14# recoil spring
Load Data: Hodgdon 2008 loading guide, 3.5 to 3.9gr @ 1.100"
Max Load: 1095 fps

Tested with 10 rounds at each load. All 10 rounds registered on the chrono.

3.5gr = 1028 fps
3.6gr = 1044
3.7gr = 1069
3.8gr = 1074
3.9gr = 1092 (PF = 125.5)
4.0gr = 1110 (5 shots only) Above Max Load

Time wise, 2016 was just after Hodgdon switched production of Clays from Australia to Canada. You'll want to check the back of your can, there are variations between the 2 sources.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

I have not loaded 9mm with Clays but have used a good bit of similarly fast burning, large flake 700X.
To get reliable metering, I hung a vibrator on the Dillon powder measure. I used an aquarium air pump, cheap at Walmart.
I ended up at or within a tenth of a grain of maximum.

Interesting. I haven't felt the need to do anything extra with Clays. I use a Lee auto drum and it seems to work well. It had fits trying to measure Unique, however which is why I went to Clays in the first place.

 

[Cliff6]

Interesting. I haven't felt the need to do anything extra with Clays. I use a Lee auto drum and it seems to work well. It had fits trying to measure Unique, however which is why I went to Clays in the first place.

I have no problems with Clays at loads above about 4 gr, however, I load 9mm at 3.2gr and it doesn't meter as well as I like at the level.
FWIW, I have loaded a few thousand 9mm 115 coated lead rounds with Clays at 3.2 gr 1.100OAL and never had a single problem with 6 different pistols and 2 carbines. That load is right in the middle of Hodgdens load data.

 

[rfwobbly]

I have no problems with Clays at loads above about 4 gr....

And do you use a chrono, or are you simply going by "feel" ?

Just wondering.