"CLAYS" for 38spl and .45acp?

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Rifletom

New member
I'm sure this has been kicked around, just couldn't find it. I've been using Unique and Universal in said cartridges and they work very well; but, came across some "Clays". I do not seem to find a lot of loading info for handguns with this powder.
Any help or load data would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys.

Oh. Bullets for 38: 158gr SWC
.45acp: 200gr XTP-HP, 230gr Speer LRN.
 
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Stick_man

New member
Most powder manufacturers have load data on their website. Hodgdon is no different. If you go there, you will find a bunch of loads for the .38 Special using Clays, including some for the 158gr cast bullets.

www.hodgdon.com

I have never tried Clays yet, but have been thinking about checking it out. Let us know how you like it and what kind of loads you find to be most accurate.

Good luck and happy reloading!
 
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Unclenick

Staff
You can look the loads up on the Hodgdon site, as Stick_man said. In general, you'll find Clays is very fast and uses a very light charge weight. Low recoil but low upper velocity for the pressure reached as well. This is because its pressure peaks before the bullet has moved forward much, and thus it has all its gas crammed into a very tight space. That limits how much it can safely make and means the pressure drops fast as the bullet moves forward. That's why the charge weights are small and why the velocity achieved is low.
 
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Old Grump

Member in memoriam
4 grains of Clay made a nice easy target load for my 45 but most of my pistol powder is Bullseye so that is what I use but 4.6 gr instead. If it's all I had I would use it but get a book and use what they say. My load came from fellow competitors so I can't vouch for anything except that they work in my gun.
 
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Rifletom

New member
sloooowww!

:D I don't mind it being slow, as long as it reliably cycles the action.
This will be another fun powder to try.
 
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