Reloading with Clays

[Sisco]

I picked up a pound of Clays only to discover that Hodgdon doesn't list any data for lead rounds.
Anyone using this powder for 230gr 45acp or 158gr 357?

 

[HSMITH]

I use 3.2 grains for a light 230 lead load and 4.0 for a heavy load in 45. and 2.6 grains for 158's in 38 special for a light target load. I use WW primers and mixed brass for both. Clays is really not suitable for 357 cases IMO. Both loads are accurate and clean.

Please verify any data you are given. The loads I listed are safe in my guns. Load data for Clays and the bullets you are asking about can be found in the mainstream loading manuals like Lyman, RCBS, and Lee .

 

[DAL]

My load for the .45 ACP is 3.8 grains of Clays under a 200 gr. LRNFP bullet, a quite accurate round. I haven't used Clays for the .357, but I have used it quite a bit for the .38 Spl. Again, I use 3.8 grains of Clays, but this time it's under a 127 gr. LRNFP bullet. I never have gotten around to chronographing either of these loads, but they seem to work well for general purpose practice.
DAL

 

[E357]

I use 3.7 to 4 grains for the 230 lead and just about the same for the 158 .357 loads. Hodgdon does list loads for .357 Clays in their Cowboy section and they go up to 4.6 under a 158, but I feel that this load is unsafe. IMHO Clays has much too fast a pressure spike to be used in "Magnum" loads.

A super accurate 45 ACP load is 4.0 grains under a 185 JHP.

Elliot

 

[MoNsTeR]

Here's Hodgdon's expanded data set for Clays in .45ACP. I got this from a 1911forum member who requested it directly, but I think it's also printed in this book:
http://www.hodgdon.com/Merchant2/me...tore_Code=HP&Product_Code=am&Category_Code=RD


Bullet Weight (Gr.) Powder Bullet Diam C.O.L. Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure

155 GR. CAST LSWC Clays 0.451 1.230 4.9 1040 16100 5.2 1082 17700

180 GR. LFP Clays 0.452 1.140 3.8 783 11600 4.5 910 16700

185 GR. HDY JSWC Clays 0.451 1.195 4.5 855 14500 4.9 981 17400

200 GR. CAST LSWC Clays 0.451 1.225 3.6 759 11800 4.3 888 17000

200 GR. SPR JHP Clays 0.451 1.155 3.9 714 15200 4.3 785 17700

230 GR. HDY FMJ FP Clays 0.451 1.20 3.7 670 15900 4.0 732 17000

230 GR. LRN Clays 0.452 1.20 3.5 716 13700 4.0 793 16800

 

[Poodleshooter]

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The High Road, nor the staff of THR assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.

I load for both of those weights.
I found that I had to either crimp VERY tightly with a Lee FCD or boost the charges beyond the Hodgdon maximum charge weight to get reliable function in my Glock 30 with 230gr LRN (Star bullets) or 230gr TC (Valiant) seated to their shoulders. YMMV
I've had no problems at all using 3.0-4grs of Clays in my .357 under Star 158gr LSWs. I sometimes load these in .38 cases, as my GP100 can handle it just fine. DO NOT LOAD ABOVE 3.1grs IN .38Special REVOLVERS. Velocity runs around 700-900fps in a 4" barrel.
I recently switched to Titegroup for both of these loads, as it allows slightly higher velocities. Clays has the advantage of being more versatile in my shotgun reloads,however.