[357mag357]

If you had to choose between Hodgdon Clays or IMR 700x for loading 240g LSWC 44 special what would you pick? Thank you.

[Walkalong]

I have shot 700X in .44 Spl with lead bullets for years. That was decided on by accuracy testing many years ago. It was by far the most accurate of about 5 powders tried. Clays was not even an idea at Hodgdon at the time. Clays is a good powder and burns nice and clean. It recently beat out 700X in light loads in .38 Spl and downloaded .357 cases by a small margin in testing. Not so much in the accuracy dept, but in powder forward powder back numbers. I would still happily use 700X for that purpose. I just have to make sure the 700X is back in the case when shooting long distance. Clays is less sensitive to that in that application. I am going to try some Clays in .44 Spl one of these days, but would be surprised if it beat out 700X there.

[loadedround]

I have used both in my Colt SAA 44 Spl and have found very little difference. Clays seems a little more cleaner and has a slightly higer velocity with less perceived pressure. It really boils down to choice...you want vanilla or chocolate. JMHO! :)

[GP100man]

both are good hi energy powders & clean too!!
i have both & load both but load more clays , it seems to meter just a bit better .
i`d hate to choose to get rid of one !!!

GP100man

[Clarence]

How many grains of Clays do you use with a 240 gr cast bullet? I assume you aren't loading Elmer Keith type loads.

[357mag357]

4.0g of Clays.

[ArchAngelCD]

I don't shoot a .44 Special but I would worry a bit using Clays for that caliber because it's a very fast burning powder. I could be wrong because it's only an opinion but I would thing a slightly slower powder would perform better. I have shot Clays in my .38 Special rounds and I like it... (except for it's poor metering qualities)

[Walkalong]

This weekend I loaded up some .44 Spl with 4.4 Grs of Clays and some 180 Gr XTP's I got in the Midway blemish sale. Not my favorite bullet weight in .44 Spl, but I had them. I almost loaded some lead D&J 200 Gr bullets instead. Anyway. I'll see soon how they do compared to 700X.

I am not recommending this load, that is just something I came up with to try.