What is Clays used for (besides shotshells)?

chris in va · January 30, 2017, 03:11 AM

I don't even remember why I bought two pounds of the stuff, apparently it's not good for 200gr SWC. Is it decent in 9mm at least?

Maybe I should just try and sell it locally.

1stmar · January 30, 2017, 03:22 AM

I use w 200gr swc np, but used to use it w 255 gr in 45 acp when competing. Soft shooting.

Real Gun · January 30, 2017, 10:17 AM

It is a very fast burner, indicated for snub-nosed revolvers in non-magnum cartridges like 38 Special. I suppose that logic could be applied to a small 9mm or 380 semi-auto.

pete2 · January 30, 2017, 10:29 AM

Clays is very good for target loads in the .45 ACP. I shot a bunch of it with 200 gr cast SWC. I only quit using it because it was hard/impossible to get. I also used it with 230 Cast.

5whiskey · January 30, 2017, 10:39 AM

Clays is good for maintaining accuracy and consistency at (and slightly below) starting loads. It is a great powder if you like shooting powder puff ammo at the range, and it's fairly economical as well. I will second that it should work well with shorter barrels (less fireball, while maintaining decent velocity). You never even mentioned the caliber, only 200 gn SWC. If you're referring to a .45acp load, it should work quite well for that. I think fast powders work quite well for low pressure loads like the 45, light loads for caliber, light-for-caliber projectiles, and short barrels.

Real Gun · January 30, 2017, 10:46 AM

Quote:

low pressure loads like the 45

45 ACP pressure range is well above black powder levels of 45 Colt, 23k versus 14k, respectively. What you may be referring to is the bunny fart loading used in competition.

5whiskey · January 30, 2017, 11:17 AM

Quote:

45 ACP pressure range is well above black powder levels of 45 Colt, 23k versus 14k, respectively.

You are correct sir, but "low pressure" is relative. .45acp is low pressure when compared to 9mm and .40s&w. At any rate, I looked and clays isn't particularly great in 45 with a 230 gn projectile. It seems to compare with other powders better with a lighter projectile.

I still don't know what the OP is trying to use clays with other than a fall-back on 9mm. Would work great with soft loads in 9mm, but you won't get peak velocity with it (many of us could care less, just depends on your preferences).

mikld · January 30, 2017, 12:10 PM

Lots of 9mm Clays loads...http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol

g.willikers · January 30, 2017, 12:21 PM

Why wouldn't it be good for .45acp 200 grain lead bullets?
I used it for years with those for USPSA major scoring for both round nose and swc.
Very clean shooting, too.
There are/were several powders with the name Clays, though.
Which one are you using?

FITASC · January 30, 2017, 01:06 PM

Hodgdon also lists loads for 45ACP. I have used it and its sister, Universal in loads ranging from 32ACP to 45ACP

ShootistPRS · January 30, 2017, 06:18 PM

It can be used in moderate to heavy loads in most handgun cartridges.

MrBorland · January 30, 2017, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShootistPRS

It can be used in moderate to heavy loads in most handgun cartridges.

Clays has a reputation for being "spikey", i.e. pressure dramatically rises above a certain threshold, so I limit it's use for low-to-moderate loads. It's a very popular powder for IDPA/USPSA shooters (those who shoot Minor Power Factor anyway) for the same reason. It burns clean and is relatively soft shooting (another reason it's popular with IDPA/USPSA shooters), but I've never found it as good as plain ol' Bullseye or W-231 for pure target loads.

ShootistPRS · January 30, 2017, 06:51 PM

It is listed for everything from 32 auto to 45 Colt. It is less picky than TiteGroup.

chris in va · January 30, 2017, 07:28 PM

Thanks guys. My CZ 45 ACP requires full power loads to function properly so maybe I can try it in 9mm or my friend's 38.

jmorris · January 31, 2017, 11:20 AM

3.7 gn of Clays with a 230 gn coated lead bullet at 1.230" has been my 45 ACP "major" PF load for more than a decade.

Tacoma · January 31, 2017, 04:52 PM

My friends and I use Clays almost exclusively for 200gr LSWC 45acp loads as well as 158gr LSWC 38 spl . I also use it in 130 Gr/147gr 9mm range loads. It's soft shooting, clean and very accurate as long as you don't try to push it into velocities it wasn't intended for.

Deja vu · February 3, 2017, 09:29 AM

I seem to remember loading it in some 45 colt when I was a kid.

Rifletom · February 3, 2017, 06:46 PM

jmorris uses the same load I do. Works to perfection. Clean, accurate and soft shooting. My Springfield 1911 handles the lighter loads with no issues.

January 30, 2017, 03:11 AM	#1
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	What is Clays used for (besides shotshells)? I don't even remember why I bought two pounds of the stuff, apparently it's not good for 200gr SWC. Is it decent in 9mm at least? Maybe I should just try and sell it locally.

January 30, 2017, 10:17 AM	#3
Real Gun Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2004 Location: SC Posts: 2,743	It is a very fast burner, indicated for snub-nosed revolvers in non-magnum cartridges like 38 Special. I suppose that logic could be applied to a small 9mm or 380 semi-auto. __________________ Not an expert, just a reporter.

January 30, 2017, 12:10 PM	#8
mikld Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Southern Oregon! Posts: 2,891	Lots of 9mm Clays loads...http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol __________________ My Anchor is holding fast! I've learned how to stand on my own two knees...

January 30, 2017, 12:21 PM	#9
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Why wouldn't it be good for .45acp 200 grain lead bullets? I used it for years with those for USPSA major scoring for both round nose and swc. Very clean shooting, too. There are/were several powders with the name Clays, though. Which one are you using? __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.” Last edited by g.willikers; January 30, 2017 at 12:30 PM.

January 30, 2017, 01:06 PM	#10
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,446	Hodgdon also lists loads for 45ACP. I have used it and its sister, Universal in loads ranging from 32ACP to 45ACP __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

January 30, 2017, 03:22 AM	#2
1stmar Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,378	I use w 200gr swc np, but used to use it w 255 gr in 45 acp when competing. Soft shooting.

January 30, 2017, 10:29 AM	#4
pete2 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 2,566	Clays is very good for target loads in the .45 ACP. I shot a bunch of it with 200 gr cast SWC. I only quit using it because it was hard/impossible to get. I also used it with 230 Cast.

January 30, 2017, 10:39 AM	#5
5whiskey Senior Member Join Date: October 23, 2005 Location: US Posts: 3,657	Clays is good for maintaining accuracy and consistency at (and slightly below) starting loads. It is a great powder if you like shooting powder puff ammo at the range, and it's fairly economical as well. I will second that it should work well with shorter barrels (less fireball, while maintaining decent velocity). You never even mentioned the caliber, only 200 gn SWC. If you're referring to a .45acp load, it should work quite well for that. I think fast powders work quite well for low pressure loads like the 45, light loads for caliber, light-for-caliber projectiles, and short barrels.

January 30, 2017, 06:18 PM	#11
ShootistPRS Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2017 Posts: 1,583	It can be used in moderate to heavy loads in most handgun cartridges.

January 30, 2017, 06:51 PM	#13
ShootistPRS Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2017 Posts: 1,583	It is listed for everything from 32 auto to 45 Colt. It is less picky than TiteGroup.

January 30, 2017, 07:28 PM	#14
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	Thanks guys. My CZ 45 ACP requires full power loads to function properly so maybe I can try it in 9mm or my friend's 38.

January 31, 2017, 11:20 AM	#15
jmorris Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2006 Posts: 3,077	3.7 gn of Clays with a 230 gn coated lead bullet at 1.230" has been my 45 ACP "major" PF load for more than a decade.

January 31, 2017, 04:52 PM	#16
Tacoma Senior Member Join Date: October 27, 2004 Location: SE New England Posts: 620	My friends and I use Clays almost exclusively for 200gr LSWC 45acp loads as well as 158gr LSWC 38 spl . I also use it in 130 Gr/147gr 9mm range loads. It's soft shooting, clean and very accurate as long as you don't try to push it into velocities it wasn't intended for.

February 3, 2017, 09:29 AM	#17
Deja vu Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2010 Location: Border of Idaho & Montana Posts: 2,584	I seem to remember loading it in some 45 colt when I was a kid. __________________ Shot placement is everything! I would rather take a round of 50BMG to the foot than a 22short to the base of the skull. all 26 of my guns are 45/70 govt, 357 mag, 22 or 12 ga... I believe in keeping it simple. Wish my wife did as well...

February 3, 2017, 06:46 PM	#18
Rifletom Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2011 Location: So-Cal Posts: 789	jmorris uses the same load I do. Works to perfection. Clean, accurate and soft shooting. My Springfield 1911 handles the lighter loads with no issues.