Is 4.0gr Clays too much for 115gr Plated RN?

[ulflyer]

I have an STI 1911 9mm and it won't reliably eject/load anything less than 4.0 gr of Clays. It obviously has a stout recoil and there are no lighter springs that I know of made for it. In the reloading books I have, 3.9 apprears the Maximum but that is for a HP. Not very scientific I know, but 4.0 "feels" good with comfortable recoil....and I'm fairly recoil sensitive.

For comparison, it takes 5.0 gr 231 to make the STI reliable. Again, these loads "feel" good...

Opinions please on the Clays load.

EDITED TO ADD: Just now placed a call to STI and Tech Support said they had a lighter spring system and would get one in the mail to me. No Charge. Kudo's to STI.

 

[wlkjr]

My opinion is that I wouldn't waste Clays on 9mm since it's so hard to find. It is really good for a low recoil .45 load though.

 

[ulflyer]

WLKJR: Clays is readily avail here in my neck of the woods...or at least it was a few months. Once I use up the couple cans I have, I'll probably standardize my 380 and 9mm loading with 231 or its equivalent. I initially started using Clays for 45acp and like it a lot but no longer load for that caliber so I might go back to my old reliable 231.

 

[wlkjr]

Wish I were closer to you as I'd gladly swap my 231 for your Clays.

 

[Walkalong]

Is 4.0gr Clays too much for 115gr Plated RN?

May very well be.

Clays is very, very fast and an increase of only .1 can easily make it go from OK to well over. Hodgdon shows a max of 3.7 Grs with a 115 Gr Gold Dot.

 

[ulflyer]

Thanks Walkalong. I won't load up any more for now and wait till I get the softer spring that STI is sending. That should work nicely with some Clays 3.5gr I have loaded and shoot in my Kahr and other makes of 9mm.

 

[MrBorland]

Clays is readily avail here in my neck of the woods

And where in NC would that be? I'm desperately low on Clay's, and haven't seen it in my area for the last 1 1/2 years.

Walkalong's advice on Clay's is good - Clay's has a reputation for getting spikey very quicky.

 

[ulflyer]

It was at a gun show some time this year...forget when....and dealer said she had plenty of it. I think it was at Charlotte Metroliner. I had a couple cans already but bought two from the lady. You might also call the Gun Rack at Kernersville....they have a lot of powder and I believe they did have some Clays but I haven't been up there for a couple months.

Where are you located? I'll swap you three (3) cans for 231 if you're in my neck of the woods, ie, Lexington or Salisbury. PM if doable.