.45 ACP with 3.7gr Clays vs. 5.2g 231

[Luggernut]

I just finished loading some 230gr Berrys with 3.7gr and 3.8gr of Clays and compared it to my regular load which is 5.2gr of 231. I must say I was quite surprised how similar they are. I used 1.260" COL, WLP and brand new Starline brass. Some folks have said that Clays is clean and 231 is dirty... the inside of the cases looked very similar to me.

As far as accuracy they all seemed good. Slow fire at 50 feet produced a nice ~2inch groups out of my S&w 1911. It's a good gun.

Has anyone else made other comparisons? I'm pleased with my 231 loads.. I'm always curious to see how other powders behave. I guess I can save a few bucks with the Clays but the powder costs are nothing compared the bullets and primers.

 

[Walkalong]

700X, if you want cheap, low charge wieght, super clean, and accurate. I did not care for Clays for what I was looking for, although it shoots well. W231 is definitely not the cleanest out there for the .45, but very accurate.

I have tried a BUNCH of powders in the .45 and a fairly large percentage of them work quite well.

My favorites are WST, WSF, AA #2, AA #5, N310, N320, & Competition, with True Blue a serious canidate. I just have not tested it enough.

Many others work well and can give good to very good accuracy. These are just my favorites for various reasons. Cleanliness, or good ES & ED, or accuracy, or recoil per FPS, or all of these.

 

[FieroCDSP]

Hmm...that's odd. I use 3.8gr Clays in my 40cal on a 155gr bullet. Given the case size and bullet weight, I wouldn't think it'd cycle a 45, but I suppose the case volume is so small after shoving that bullet in there.

 

[Walkalong]

.40 is a much higher pressure round.

 

[jmorris]

Luggernut,
You've stumbled onto my favorite IDPA CDP load with the 3.7 of clays and 230gr (though I usually use precision bullets)

 

[Luggernut]

jmorris.... ironically that is what I load for- IDPA. I haven't checked the power factors for the Clays 3.7g load but I'm sure it's there if not close. The 231 loads make it fine with my gun. I just started shooting CDP/.45ACP in IDPA so I'm just playing around a little but accuracy is not an issue with either of these loads.

 

[Mike Kerr]

If you Chronograph those 230 Gr Jacketed over 3.7 Grs of Clay's, I believe you will see they don't make 165 power factor. However, 3.9 to 4.0 grs of Clay's will probably make it.

I have found the 231 very good on accuracy but a little on the dirty side. Clay's is clean enough and it shoots soft and quiet. N320 works good, nice and clean.

Of course each gun is different- just what I have found.

Regards,

 

[JDGray]

I love Clays in the 45, but remember a 1lb container of Clays is only 14oz Dont know if your saving a few bucks, or not. You definately save on charge weight.

 

[dockmen027]

I have been using Clays for slow fire in Service Pistol Matches. 4.2 Clays with 230gr Sierra proves to be a very accurate load.

 

[Luggernut]

Wow JDGray, I just assumed that the cans were 16 ozes!! I think that's kind of devious since most cans (including the Hodgdon H335) are all 1lb.

 

[JDGray]

Cant figure that one out I went in on a 8lb container with a friend, and will be shooting Clays for a long, long time

 

[jmorris]

Precision 230gr 3.7 clays runs around 750fps out of my 5" 1911's well over the 165,000 PF. Just remember to use "Clays" not International Clays or Universal Clays.