Clays and 45ACP recipe?

chris in va · March 19, 2016, 09:02 PM

Found two pounds of Clays today...don't hate me.

I've never used the stuff. Any favorite medium loads with a 200gr SWC? I like 4.5 Bullseye but running out.

BigJimP · March 19, 2016, 11:40 PM

I have to hate you a little ( I haven't found any clays in at least 3 yrs. ....)

Couldn't resist ...

I don't have a recipe for you - I only shoot 230gr FMJ in .45acp.....but clays is such a fast burning powder that it gives you "bunny fart" loads in 9mm....kind of fun to shoot - but i'm hoarding the last 4 lbs of clays i have for my 12ga reloads..../

i'm a little jealous of your good luck ---- even though I picked up 20,000 Win small pistol primers this am at gun show for $30/1,000. .....and 10,000 LP for same price..../ thought I was pretty lucky ???? - obviously not....

Hammerhead · March 19, 2016, 11:52 PM

4.0 Clays is a winner with 200 SWC's.
You're going to like Clays.

chris in va · March 20, 2016, 12:59 AM

Thanks, I'll try 4.0.

These were pretty well hidden, unless you were looking for it they'd never be found.

RickB · March 20, 2016, 08:54 PM

I've been using 4.1 - 4.3 of Clays with 200gr bullets for years.
For mid-range .45 loads it's my favorite powder.

jaysouth · March 21, 2016, 08:35 PM

3.7 grs. of Clays under a 200 gr. H&G 68 Clone functions well in all my 1911s with 16 pound springs(standard strength)

Clays has a spiky pressure curve. Start easy and work up. With proper crimp, it is a very clean powder.

Nick_C_S · March 21, 2016, 10:08 PM

Never used Clays.

Don't plan on it.

But I know it's the perfect burn rate for the 200 LSWC application.

I have no doubt you scored. Enjoy.

Rifletom · March 21, 2016, 11:28 PM

Been loading Clays for about 4 years. Love that powder. 4.0gr is about correct with those 200gr swc. I've been running 3.8 in my SA 1911 with 230gr LRN.
Soft shooting, clean and SUPER accurate. You scored on your find. I've been sitting on my 4 lb'er for a while. Glad I got it when I did. It's been damn near impossible to find lately. Clays is a very good powder for the .38spl also.

David R · March 22, 2016, 05:39 AM

Since we have a bunch of clays users, I opened my can and it was FULL to the top like the powder had absorbed moisture or something. Does the plastic container come FULL ?

chris in va · March 23, 2016, 09:30 PM

I just opened a fresh 1# jug for you, it was about 2" below the top of the opening.

RickB · March 24, 2016, 12:30 PM

Is this "old Clays" from Australia, or "new Clays" from Canada?
I did some comparison loading last weekend, and there may be a slight difference in volume, but not enough to fill a 1# jug an additional 2"; is it a 1# jug?
I seem to remember the Aussie powder being packaged in 15oz jugs?

FITASC · March 24, 2016, 12:32 PM

The new Canadian made stuff is a little denser in volume for equal weight.

mikld · March 24, 2016, 12:43 PM

This is a FWIW, sorta related post; I do not give out load data on line, 'cause I never use any data I find on any forum or from any range rat, gun counter clerk, pet loads website, or gun shop guru. I have seen a really dangerous load given on a forum (an OOPS!, "I hit the wrong key", that was one full grain over max. with a fast burning powder) and even though most are being helpful, what do you know about/trust an anonymous screen name? If I needed some data about a specific powder in a speific cartridge, a forum is the last place I'd look, preferring a published manual for any data. Paranoid? Nope, just cautious...

jes an old guys opinion, and I got all my fingers and no damaged guns...

FITASC · March 24, 2016, 03:53 PM

I'll take the data with a grain of salt and use it as a starting point for my OWN research, Some folks get confused by some brand names/numbers.

David R · March 25, 2016, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris in va

I just opened a fresh 1# jug for you, it was about 2" below the top of the opening.

Thank you, I will load a few up and see how it works. 45 acp data is on the container.

David

OverPressure · March 27, 2016, 11:07 PM

I was able to get 3 14oz containers of Clays Last Month. Haven't
seen any around for almost 3 years. I just cracked the lid on the
first container. I hope it is the same power.

4.2 gr. 200 gr. SWC. My Favorite Target Load!

March 19, 2016, 09:02 PM	#1
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	Clays and 45ACP recipe? Found two pounds of Clays today...don't hate me. I've never used the stuff. Any favorite medium loads with a 200gr SWC? I like 4.5 Bullseye but running out.

March 20, 2016, 08:54 PM	#5
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,521	I've been using 4.1 - 4.3 of Clays with 200gr bullets for years. For mid-range .45 loads it's my favorite powder. __________________ Runs off at the mouth about anything 1911 related on this site and half the time is flat out wrong.

March 21, 2016, 10:08 PM	#7
Nick_C_S Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,535	Never used Clays. Don't plan on it. But I know it's the perfect burn rate for the 200 LSWC application. I have no doubt you scored. Enjoy. __________________ Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself. Life Member, National Rifle Association

March 24, 2016, 12:30 PM	#11
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,521	Is this "old Clays" from Australia, or "new Clays" from Canada? I did some comparison loading last weekend, and there may be a slight difference in volume, but not enough to fill a 1# jug an additional 2"; is it a 1# jug? I seem to remember the Aussie powder being packaged in 15oz jugs? __________________ Runs off at the mouth about anything 1911 related on this site and half the time is flat out wrong.

March 24, 2016, 12:32 PM	#12
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,464	The new Canadian made stuff is a little denser in volume for equal weight. __________________ "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

March 19, 2016, 11:40 PM	#2
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	I have to hate you a little ( I haven't found any clays in at least 3 yrs. ....) Couldn't resist ... I don't have a recipe for you - I only shoot 230gr FMJ in .45acp.....but clays is such a fast burning powder that it gives you "bunny fart" loads in 9mm....kind of fun to shoot - but i'm hoarding the last 4 lbs of clays i have for my 12ga reloads..../ i'm a little jealous of your good luck ---- even though I picked up 20,000 Win small pistol primers this am at gun show for $30/1,000. .....and 10,000 LP for same price..../ thought I was pretty lucky ???? - obviously not....

March 19, 2016, 11:52 PM	#3
Hammerhead Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,432	4.0 Clays is a winner with 200 SWC's. You're going to like Clays.

March 20, 2016, 12:59 AM	#4
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	Thanks, I'll try 4.0. These were pretty well hidden, unless you were looking for it they'd never be found.

March 21, 2016, 08:35 PM	#6
jaysouth Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2001 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 787	3.7 grs. of Clays under a 200 gr. H&G 68 Clone functions well in all my 1911s with 16 pound springs(standard strength) Clays has a spiky pressure curve. Start easy and work up. With proper crimp, it is a very clean powder.

March 21, 2016, 11:28 PM	#8
Rifletom Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2011 Location: So-Cal Posts: 792	Been loading Clays for about 4 years. Love that powder. 4.0gr is about correct with those 200gr swc. I've been running 3.8 in my SA 1911 with 230gr LRN. Soft shooting, clean and SUPER accurate. You scored on your find. I've been sitting on my 4 lb'er for a while. Glad I got it when I did. It's been damn near impossible to find lately. Clays is a very good powder for the .38spl also.

March 22, 2016, 05:39 AM	#9
David R Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2015 Location: The swamps of WNY Posts: 753	Since we have a bunch of clays users, I opened my can and it was FULL to the top like the powder had absorbed moisture or something. Does the plastic container come FULL ?

March 23, 2016, 09:30 PM	#10
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	I just opened a fresh 1# jug for you, it was about 2" below the top of the opening.

March 24, 2016, 12:43 PM	#13
mikld Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Southern Oregon! Posts: 2,891	This is a FWIW, sorta related post; I do not give out load data on line, 'cause I never use any data I find on any forum or from any range rat, gun counter clerk, pet loads website, or gun shop guru. I have seen a really dangerous load given on a forum (an OOPS!, "I hit the wrong key", that was one full grain over max. with a fast burning powder) and even though most are being helpful, what do you know about/trust an anonymous screen name? If I needed some data about a specific powder in a speific cartridge, a forum is the last place I'd look, preferring a published manual for any data. Paranoid? Nope, just cautious... jes an old guys opinion, and I got all my fingers and no damaged guns...

March 24, 2016, 03:53 PM	#14
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,464	I'll take the data with a grain of salt and use it as a starting point for my OWN research, Some folks get confused by some brand names/numbers. __________________ "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

March 27, 2016, 11:07 PM	#16
OverPressure Member Join Date: March 11, 2013 Location: Langley WA Posts: 66	Clay & 45ACP I was able to get 3 14oz containers of Clays Last Month. Haven't seen any around for almost 3 years. I just cracked the lid on the first container. I hope it is the same power. 4.2 gr. 200 gr. SWC. My Favorite Target Load!