.44 mag target load with clays?

[power167]

I have a ton of Clays powder from trap shooting. I'm trying to work up a soft shooting target load for my Marlin 1894 lever gun with 200 grain Hornady XTP bullets. The Hodgdon website says for that bullet start at 4.2 and work up to about 6.0, maybe slightly north of that.

Anybody have any experience with clays in something like the .44, or any insight to offer? The ultimate goal is just to use powder and components I have laying around for a soft-shooting plinker for steel swingers from 35-100 yards.

 

[56hawk]

A lot time ago I loaded clays in 44 magnum. For some reason it seemed really dirty. Shot a few in my Desert Eagle, and it locked up the gas system. Shouldn't matter in your Marlin though.

 

[power167]

Have a question about a specific load: The bullet I'm using is Rainier .429 200gr FP plated, which the company says to treat as lead as far as data goes. The only data I can find for clays is for a 200 gr LRNFP CAST in .430 diameter, with an OAL listed as 1.570" with a starting load at 4.2 and up to 6.4gr. Should I follow this OAL and charge data? Probably leaning to the higher end of the charge range?

 

[bluetopper]

I would only load at the very least the listed max of 6.4gr of Clays in this loading you're talking about. The listed pressure is only 20,200CUP. You'll find anything less out of your Marlin lever gun very weak and not as accurate. Clays is not applicable for a full power loading in the 44 Mag because it burns so fast but at this low pressure you will be fine, just be careful not to double charge a load.
Clays in one of the very cleanest burning powders available.