What is Clays used for (besides shotshells)?

C

chris in va

New member
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.:cool:
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
low pressure loads like the 45
Click to expand...

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

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).
 
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?
 
Last edited:
Hodgdon also lists loads for 45ACP. I have used it and its sister, Universal in loads ranging from 32ACP to 45ACP
 
ShootistPRS said:
It can be used in moderate to heavy loads in most handgun cartridges.
Click to expand...

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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top