Author Topic: Nervous as a cat about Clays in 45LC. So little powder! (Read 995 times)

JBMauser · « **on:** July 31, 2003, 03:14:16 PM »

As Barry Farber would say "I am nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rockers" I just re-read my Hodgdon data sheet for Cowboy loads and they call for 4.2gr to 5.1 gr of Clays for a 250gr. Lead bullet. That is about enough to dust the bottom of the case! When that baby is lying down in it's proper position I bet it is not 1/16 in deep! I doubt it reaches the flash hole. They stress not to use kapok or other filler (they always do) Do any of you use this load and live to tell of it? I just don't get it! Someone asked about Bullseye on another thread and I voiced my similar concern for very low volume. Am I paranoid over nothing? I have a pound of clays looking at me with nothing much to do with it. Maybe I'll hold it for 9mm. I can fill those LC cases with 2400 and sleep better. Your thoughts, Nervous and twitchy. JB

44 Man · « **Reply #1 on:** July 31, 2003, 04:55:08 PM »

Haven't had any experience with Clays. Have used Universal and Unique and now am using 5.8 gr Titegroup w/230 gr cast. If you are uncomfortable with it, leave it on the shelf. It's not worth your peace of mind to try to use up $20 worth of powder! I went to titegroup because it was designed just for this situation. It is not sensitive as to position in the case. (It still only fills the .45colt cast about 1/3 full) That said, Hodgdon powder list 4.2 clays as a starting load and 5.1 as max. Never go below starting loads with a big case such as .45 colt. I would feel much better taking a load somewhere in the middle, such as 4.5 or 4.6. You may have a little more velocity but you know that it is safe and not apt to detonate. (something the powder companys claim never happens but most old shooters know someone it has happened to with very light loads in a big case) I would just buy a can of titegroup and be happy. Good shooting. 44 Man

Mason Stillwell · « **Reply #2 on:** July 31, 2003, 04:59:19 PM »

Have shot thousands of 200 gr bullets with 4.8 gr of clays . One great load . Soft recoil and very accurate.

Just my $0.02 worth, your milage might vary

Mason :wink:

Cheyenne Ranger · « **Reply #3 on:** July 31, 2003, 05:16:27 PM »

While not Clays, I'm using 4.5 gr of Bullseye in my .45LC

Flint · « **Reply #4 on:** August 01, 2003, 06:43:52 AM »

The light loads of Clays apparently work, but my issue with Clays is it's low density, it is hard to get a consistant load for a handgun cartridge, checking with the powder scale with it because it's so light a flake. Titegroup is denser, so is 231. Titegroup works very well with the light loads, weighs consistantly, and is not as position sensitive. Clays is a shotgun powder, and in 12 gage loads of 16 to 18 grains, it meters very well. Clays also shoots so clean that with a quality wad that won't smear, the gun looks unfired after a round of trap.

Snake River Cowboy · « **Reply #5 on:** August 01, 2003, 02:51:32 PM »

I have shot a few thousand rounds of .45's using Clay's. A .7cc Lee dipper is about 4.6-4.8 gr. I think it about half fills up the space in the case.

JBMauser · « **Reply #6 on:** August 01, 2003, 04:43:12 PM »

I did some digging in my files and came up with a story from july 2000 guns and ammo where he recomendes using a dracon filler for those low volume loads. He had evidence to support the fact that powder settled to the rear gave more consistant velocities and accuracy than powder to the bullet. It seems strange because the primer thrust would spray the powder forward anyway but there you have it. Even tightgroup did well will a wad of dacron. I will pull out my Kapok and have at it. JB

HWooldridge · « **Reply #7 on:** August 04, 2003, 04:42:28 AM »

I use Clays in my 12 ga double with 1 oz loads and it's great for that but I use 231 exclusively in reduced 45 LC loads. It meters well, is clean to shoot and provides good accuracy with most any cast bullet I care to use. I use Blue Dot for hotter loads.