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Old June 15, 2000, 04:18 AM   #1
Ala Dan
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Was wondering if anyone has used Universal
Clay's powder in any handgun load's? Think
I will try it in my S&W model 629 Classic with 5" barrel; as I understand it to be a
very clean burning powder, as opposed to
Unique and 2400.

Regards,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
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Old June 15, 2000, 06:04 AM   #2
Hal
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I just wish Hodgdon wouldn't be so @@#1~$%$# confusing with their names. They got too many Clay's products, and it makes mistakes real easy. On topic, I tried some in both .44mag and .357. It was alright, but didn't seem to offer any advantage over 2400 for consistancy in .44mag w/lead or clean burn. YMMV and I'm sure a lot depends on how heavy you load, and choice of bullet. I had a lot of not 100% burned powder, some unburned, in the loadings I worked up. I've heard enough good reports about it though that I'm not ready to sprinkle it on the grass as high priced fertilizer. FWIW. Some of the residue worked under the extractor of my Smith 29, but not enough to cause problems. I'm pretty certain if I had more to shoot, eventually it would have bound things up.
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Old June 15, 2000, 08:52 AM   #3
Bill Hebert
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I loaded several different powders at the recommended starting loads for my Browning High power 40 cal. Went to the range this weekend and shot through my chrony. The Universal Clays was definitly the "hottest" round by >50 to 75 ft/sec. over all other powders. However, the felt recoil was also VERY much more than all other powders. It had no more muzzle flash nor was it "dirtyier" than others. Accuracy was similar to HS-7 which had vel of 50ft less and felt recoil was comfortable compared to the universal clays rounds. Good luck. Bill
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Old June 15, 2000, 09:09 AM   #4
Tree Rat
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Ala Dan - Universal Clays is outstanding for 9mm and 40S&W. Burns SUPER clean and provides great ballistics. I use Clays for 12 gauge Sporting Clays loads and 45 ACP target loads.
The below listed are max or near max loads, so work up slowly. Tree Rat.

9mm
5.0 grains Universal Clays
FED 1X Brass
FED 100 Primer
Star 115 FMJ Bullet
1.130 OAL
Averages 1210 fps from an H&K USP.

5.0 grains Universal Clays
FED 1X Brass
FED 100 Primer
Star 124 FMJ Bullet
1.165 OAL
Averages 1185 fps from an H&K USP.

40S&W

6.6 grains Universal CLays
Fed 1X Brass
Fed 100 Primer
Rainier 155FP
1.126 OAL
Averages 1175 from an H&K USP

45ACP

4.0 grains CLAYS
Fed 1X brass
Fed 100 Primer
Star 230 FMJ
1.170 OAL
Averages 725 from Kimber Classic Gold Match
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Old June 15, 2000, 10:15 AM   #5
Casey
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I use Clays in both .40 S&W (various loads) and in .45 ACP (usually 3.8 gr behind 200 Rainer SWC) for punching holes in paper.

It meters well in a Dillon, it burns clean (although some others may burn cleaner) and is very accurate. I used to use W231, and I think that the Clays is SLIGHTLY more accurate than the W231 in my Kimber.

Casey
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Old June 15, 2000, 11:23 AM   #6
Daniel Watters
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Universal Clays is very similiar to Unique in its applications. I would not try to extrapolate loading data from this relationship though.
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Old June 15, 2000, 01:52 PM   #7
jtduncan
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Well I gues since I just ordered a (4) pound jug of UNIVERSAL I do.

Most of us don't get it confused because we call it universal period.

4.9-5.0 grains Univ on a 115 grain 9mm JHP/FMJ and you're all smiles.

6.6 grains univ, 185 grain, 45 acp = smiles

don't know about sw 40 but tried titegroup and universal and like univ a tad better.

ccv likes the tg better though

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The Seattle SharpShooter - TFL/GT/UGW/PCT/KTOG
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Old June 15, 2000, 05:56 PM   #8
Ala Dan
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Thanks guy's for the info. I will work up some loads slowly; and report back.

Regards,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
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Old June 16, 2000, 07:34 AM   #9
WESHOOT2
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Universal Clays is virtually equivalent in burn rate to Unique, but easier-metering and much cleaner.

I've used it in 9mm, 38, .357, 40, 41AE, 41 Mag, 44 Mag, 45LC, 45ACP, 10mm, and even 38 Super!

Perfect for straight-wall revolver loads.

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"All my ammo is factory ammo"

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Old June 16, 2000, 08:01 AM   #10
PeterM
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I've had great success target shooting with Universal Clays in both .357 Mag (5.7 grains behind a 158 gr. LSWC) and in .44 Mag (9.4 grains behind a 240 gr. LSWC). It meters well and is reasonably clean. It's similar to Unique but I can shoot into the breeze and not end-up with a black-spotted face at the end of a session.

Pete
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Old June 16, 2000, 02:49 PM   #11
petej88
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I use Universal for .40 loads. It works great and is more cost effective than Power Pistol.

The maximum grain load for the 357 Sig is 5.8 grains of Universal.This creates a very nice mellow 9mm like round. For full power loads, Power Pistol is superior.
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Old June 18, 2000, 01:29 AM   #12
Ala Dan
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Well Guy's, I finally got to the bench Friday
A.M. I didn't load for the .44 Magnum; but I
did load all day, in 9m/m. I did also use
the Hodgdon Universal Clay's powder while
doing so. Yep, 3.7 grains under a Magnus
122 cast LRN. I will report back as soon
as my local shooting range dries out from
the recent rain's of the past few day's.
Thanks for all the help from the TFL member's.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, Life Member N.R.A.
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