Hodgdon Clays for handgun rounds?

[RNB65]

Opinions on using Clays for handgun rounds? Good? Bad? Ugly?

I've got a few pounds of Clays left over from the days when I used to reload shotgun shells. I stopped reloading shotshells several years ago, but now I'm thinking about buying a press to reload .45ACP and .357mag rounds. Would like to use what I've already got if it works well in handguns.

 

[Jim Watson]

Clays is a fast burning powder meant for 12 ga target loads and is fine for light to medium loads in .45 ACP or .38 Special. A lot of pistol shooters like it because it is "clean." Not for anything close to full charge magnums.

I trust you know that there are three different powders on the Clays process, Clays (fast), International Clays (medium fast, no pistol loads that I know of), and Universal Clays (very close to Unique.)

 

[GP100man]

RNB65
it does good for plinking & mid loads but for mag performance youll have to select another powder.
my exp. is in 357 & 44 mag

GP100man

 

[M40A1]

Works great in .45 acp.

 

[Zeke Menuar]

Great for wimpy practice loads in 45acp

ZM

 

[cpaspr]

I've used it in .45 ACP, .40 S&W and .38 Special. Saw occasional bits of burning powder come out the barrel with the .40 (3.5" barrel), but they all shot fine otherwise.

 

[mjrodney]

It's my powder of choice for .45ACP and paper targets.

3.8 grains behind a 200g LSWC.

 

[RNB65]

Sounds like a bad choice for 357mag.

Can you guys recommend a good all-purpose powder that will work well in both 45ACP and 457Mag (and maybe .223 if I ever decide to tackle rifle rounds)?

Thanks.

 

[Jim Watson]

Unique or Universal Clays will work in .45 and .357.
But I would just load .45s with Clays and buy some 2400, 296, H110, LilGun, AA9, or N110 if I wanted full power magnums.

There is almost no overlap between pistol and rifle powders. Get something really listed in your handbook for .223.

Oversimplifying powder inventory will limit your options.