Super Light .45acp 200gr LSWC Clays Load

U

uncle.45

New member
Hi, Gents!
Have any of you loaded Clays real low behind a 200 grain LSWC?
If so, how low a load have you been able to get to shoot well?
Clays is kinda fast, so I haven't tried any very low loads yet.
I have been loading 3.5 grains of Clays (minimum listed load is 3.6), and this load runs my 1911s with stock (16#) recoil springs.
I have recoil springs as low as 9 pounds for my 1911s if needed.
Any Clays load/spring combos you can share?
Thanks!
 
I load 4 grains Clay's behind a powder coated 200 SWC for 674 av. In a 3.5" Colt LW Officers Model.

3.9 would not work the action.

David
 
David,
That may be normal for an Officer model.
Most of them have 20ish pound springs.
My RIA Officer came with a 21# spring.
 
Colt uses a 22 pound recoil spring in an Officer's Model according to Wolff Springs.
3.5 grains of Clays isn't enough under minimum to make any difference. Differences in manuals will account for that. However, going under minimum, even by just 1 grain, is not the way to work up a reduced load. Can't imagine a load that's running less than Clays, but Trail Boss starts at 3.5 at 652 FPS and 9,200 CUP. Vs the 3.6 at 759 FPS and 11,800 CUP.
Fiddling with springs is more of a shooting game thing. Any load in any manual should cycle the action.
 
Uncle45,

You'll find the fast high energy powders like Clays and N310 can be loaded lower. You'll notice the Hodgdon starting loads are just 10% below maximum to make a safe starting load that allows for lot burn rate variation. Back in the 60's there was one women's bull's eye target champion (the name escapes me, now) who used just 3.2 grains of Bullseye with 200-grain H&G 68 type bullets in her gallery loads, and Bullseye is not as fast as Clays. If you want to play with a super light load that will let you try out your lighter springs, I would figure 2.8 to 3.0 grains is in the ballpark. Be aware, though, that the slow loads take longer to get out of the tube so follow-through of your hold becomes more critical. Also, my personal experience was always that the sharp feel of the slide impacting the frame gave most of the impression of recoil and a slightly heavier load that consistently sent the slide just short of smacking counter-battery felt softer than a lighter load with a spring that did allow the slide to impact the frame. But such a load has to be consistent for feed to be reliable.

It also helps with the light loads to load as shown third from the left below. This guarantees start pressure is adequate and because it obturates (seals off) the bore so you don't lose gas to bypassing around the bullet.

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3.0 gr Clays 200 gr SWC .45 ACP
5" Wilson 671 fps
5" Briley 642 fps

3.2 gr Clays 200 gr SWC .45 ACP
5" Wilson 715 fps
5" Briley 696 fps

(Not all the same day.)

12 lb recoil spring
Shot well enough for IDPA. I have since gone to Bullseye for light loads, it is more consistent. Either is better than the HP38 that I used for Major loads, the Ball powders just don't underload well.
 
Unclenick,
Thanks. I am seeking a pretty light load that will be the best possible balance of low recoil and full function while still shooting well. I am aware of the need to find a spring that allows the light load to cycle the slide without beating the frame and returns the slide to full battery with a round chambered.
It's a fun balancing act!
Thanks to you, my ammo chambers as in the third image, headspacing on the bullet shoulder instead of the case mouth.
Jim,
Thank you. Those are helpful numbers. They confirm the loads and springs I anticipate trying. I am going to try loads as low as 2.8 grains with springs as low as 10 pounds.
Thank you, all!
 
Jim,
I am glad you also mentioned Bullseye.
My LGS stocks it, and I am thinking about working up a pet load with it, too.
Thanks again.
 
Fun Range Day

I went to the range with 16 rounds each of 3.4, 3.2, 3.0, 2.8, and 2.6 grains. I brought recoil springs of 14, 12, 10, 9, and 7 pounds.
After working my way down to 2.6gr and 7# combo I knew I had a winner. 2.6gr wouldn't run with a 9# spring, and with a 7# spring the slide and frame beat each other.
2.8gr and a 9# spring shot real soft, functioned perfectly, and was spot-on accurate. POA and POI are the same.
Empty brass landed one foot to my right on top of the bench.
I only shot at 10 yards today for testing.
I am going to load 100 rounds to try some bullseye shooting at 25 yards to see how it does.
So far it looks like I have found a load that is real fun to shoot, and very accurate, at least at close range.
Thanks for the input Gents!
 
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