Load Densities of Bullseye and Clays?

[John C]

My current .45 acp target load for Bullseye shooting is 3.5 gr Clays under a 160 gr lead SWC bullet. I use Federal cases and Remington LP primers (1 1/2, I think). This is a light load, below published minimums. It works for me; use at your own risk.

I'm out of Clays, and I need to load up a batch. I have a can of Bullseye handy, and I'm wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction as to how much Bullseye I need to use to approximate 3.5 gr of Clays for a 160 gr lead bullet?

Thanks. I've been meaning to get one of those internal ballistics programs, but so far haven't done so.

-John

 

[Mal H]

Assuming you are talking about straight Clays powder and not Universal Clays or International Clays (important difference), I would suggest using the same weight of Bullseye as you did Clays. It won't be anywhere near the max and I've found the two powders to be similar in load weights for a given bullet speed.

I also use a light bullet in my 45 ACP target loads. I use a 155 gr. TCWC from Laser-Cast. They make fantastic target rounds, but I load mine a little hotter - 7.0 gr. of Universal.

 

[zxcvbob]

I've got Alliant's reloading guide here at my dsk. For 155 grain cast bullets it shows a max load of Bullseye as 6.9 grains, and a 230 grain lead target load is 4.0 grains.

So try 6 grains and go up or down from there till you find what you like. HTH

 

[fecmech]

I don't have any data for Clays and 160's but with 185 lead out of my wad gun using equal charges of Clays or Bullseye at 3.8 grs the Clays averages almost 800fps and the Bullseye is about 710 fps. I don't know what spring you are running but equal charge wts of BE vs Clays may not operate your slide. Just a thought.

 

[Canuck-IL]

The 6 grain suggestion above is WAY over ... 3.5 gr of regular Clay's is approximately 3.7 - 3.75 of BE. I use both in 3 different guns for Bullseye, loading 200gr SWCs.
/Bryan

 

[John C]

Thank you, Gentlemen, for your replies.

Yes, I was using straight Clays. I should've added that I tried a fellow shooter's load of 3.5 gr Bullseye, and it was too light to cycle my slide. That's why I was looking for an approximate conversion factor.

I'm using 160 gr Valiant SWC. I've had excellent luck with them, and I've just ordered 6000 more.

I think I'll start with Canuck-IL's suggestion of 3.7 gr, as I'm looking for a light target load, rather than Bob's 6.0 gr. I'm sure that shoots great, but a little heavy for my purposes.

Thanks,

-John