CLAYS for .45acp

Moon · 07-31-2007, 06:10 PM

This weekend at the gun-show, I bought ~ 1000 pieces of primed .45acp WW brass and ~ 1000 bullets (230gr, ball). I've got a reloading manual that says I can use CLAYS. What the manual fails to disclose, is what type of CLAYS. I think they might be talking about Hodgdon clays, but I understand that there are a few different brands of CLAYS.

It came out of the Richard Lee second-edition manual, if that helps any. I've got a little over a pound left of this powder. The charge is [somewhere between .5 and 600], so a pound would easily be enough to accommodate 1000 shell-cases. The speed on this load is really slow, just over 650fps. But... I'm just loading ammo, as enjoyable rock-busting fodder.

What's the word, reloading gurus ?

Gus · 07-31-2007, 06:24 PM

First off moon you aren't supposed to post grains, I'm sure Rew and 5Knives will be around to ream you a new one.

Are the bullets FMJ?

If it were me I'd use Unique, Bullseye or Red Dot and load them for somewhere around 800 to 850 fps.

I'm not sure the speed you mentioned will even work your action assuming you are using a 1911?

Moon · 07-31-2007, 06:31 PM

Okay, there I fixed it. Actually, Gus, I was hoping to just use-up this Hodgdon CLAYS I have. I'll never load it in a shotgun, because the H&K semi-auto I have won't cycle it. I had to go to Winchester Super Field to get enough oomph on it to cycle the stiff action. It was designed for duck-loads and the like. Not these wimpy little clay loads.

So I'm trying to find an effective way to use the CLAYS.

5knives · 07-31-2007, 08:07 PM

If you go to the Hogdon site listed up in the "Mfs links" stickies on this forum, they'll give you the load data they've been successfful with. And it's FREE! My books are all packed up now or I'd PM you. But with Clays, I think you'll find tht you ccan't get much over 730 fps SAFELY, nice accurate mid-range target load that should cycle.

I've never used it but Clays (Yup, the Hogdon stuff) is supposed to work very well in the 45 acp for target work.

I once loaded up some 9mm with light Unique loads, most accurate 9mm loads I or anyone else ever saw, but they wouldn't cycle, Colts, Lugers, Smiths, Brownings or anything else known to my club. Dirtier than mud too, being Unique but Boy were they accurate. Turned all semi-autos into straight pulls was the only serious drawback..

I think at 650 fps you'ld have a similar experience. But the Clays would be cleaner burning.

And you're right a pound of powder would easily do your thousand empties, with a lot left over.

Extra care to avoid double charging is called for, Ka-BOOM is such an ugly noise.

Thanks for fixing the powder measurement.

Regards,

Rew · 07-31-2007, 11:17 PM

The most accurate load I have ever found in the 9mm was with 700X and swaged lead 125 grn bullets I bought in 500 ea boxes. That was all I could get and afford in Germany. I loaded them out as far as I could and still fit them in the mag of both a S&W 469 and a CZ75. The little sawed off 469 was unbelievable at 25 meter's. The CZ spite them out like they taste bad, it would hold all 15 in the 10 ring if I was sober enough

. (German gun clubs have a bar and they ain't to worried about having a few WHILE your shooting

)

Pogo · 08-01-2007, 08:04 AM

Some SASS competitors use Clays for .45 Long Colt. I use Red Dot myself for .45 Long Colt because that is what I also use for trap shooting. I buy Red Dot in 12 lbs jugs.

I haven't seen any powder yet that is really clean for the slow speeds used in Cowboy Action Shooting.

07-31-2007, 06:10 PM	#1
Moon IncogNegro Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 5,825	CLAYS for .45acp This weekend at the gun-show, I bought ~ 1000 pieces of primed .45acp WW brass and ~ 1000 bullets (230gr, ball). I've got a reloading manual that says I can use CLAYS. What the manual fails to disclose, is what type of CLAYS. I think they might be talking about Hodgdon clays, but I understand that there are a few different brands of CLAYS. It came out of the Richard Lee second-edition manual, if that helps any. I've got a little over a pound left of this powder. The charge is [somewhere between .5 and 600], so a pound would easily be enough to accommodate 1000 shell-cases. The speed on this load is really slow, just over 650fps. But... I'm just loading ammo, as enjoyable rock-busting fodder. What's the word, reloading gurus ? __________________ "Thou shalt not be a son-of-a-bitch". Magnus392, from Rules of Chuck 00011

08-01-2007, 08:04 AM	#6
Pogo Mystic Knight of the Sea Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: The Great Swamp Posts: 81,980	Some SASS competitors use Clays for .45 Long Colt. I use Red Dot myself for .45 Long Colt because that is what I also use for trap shooting. I buy Red Dot in 12 lbs jugs. I haven't seen any powder yet that is really clean for the slow speeds used in Cowboy Action Shooting. __________________ .................................................. ....................................… *We have met the enemy, and he is us!*

07-31-2007, 06:24 PM	#2
Gus Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 66,849	First off moon you aren't supposed to post grains, I'm sure Rew and 5Knives will be around to ream you a new one. Are the bullets FMJ? If it were me I'd use Unique, Bullseye or Red Dot and load them for somewhere around 800 to 850 fps. I'm not sure the speed you mentioned will even work your action assuming you are using a 1911?

07-31-2007, 06:31 PM	#3
Moon IncogNegro Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 5,825	Okay, there I fixed it. Actually, Gus, I was hoping to just use-up this Hodgdon CLAYS I have. I'll never load it in a shotgun, because the H&K semi-auto I have won't cycle it. I had to go to Winchester Super Field to get enough oomph on it to cycle the stiff action. It was designed for duck-loads and the like. Not these wimpy little clay loads. So I'm trying to find an effective way to use the CLAYS.

07-31-2007, 08:07 PM	#4
5knives KaBoom Kontrol Modulator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Colorado, Western Slope Posts: 16,229	If you go to the Hogdon site listed up in the "Mfs links" stickies on this forum, they'll give you the load data they've been successfful with. And it's FREE! My books are all packed up now or I'd PM you. But with Clays, I think you'll find tht you ccan't get much over 730 fps SAFELY, nice accurate mid-range target load that should cycle. I've never used it but Clays (Yup, the Hogdon stuff) is supposed to work very well in the 45 acp for target work. I once loaded up some 9mm with light Unique loads, most accurate 9mm loads I or anyone else ever saw, but they wouldn't cycle, Colts, Lugers, Smiths, Brownings or anything else known to my club. Dirtier than mud too, being Unique but Boy were they accurate. Turned all semi-autos into straight pulls was the only serious drawback.. I think at 650 fps you'ld have a similar experience. But the Clays would be cleaner burning. And you're right a pound of powder would easily do your thousand empties, with a lot left over. Extra care to avoid double charging is called for, Ka-BOOM is such an ugly noise. Thanks for fixing the powder measurement. Regards,

07-31-2007, 11:17 PM	#5
Rew Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 9,710	The most accurate load I have ever found in the 9mm was with 700X and swaged lead 125 grn bullets I bought in 500 ea boxes. That was all I could get and afford in Germany. I loaded them out as far as I could and still fit them in the mag of both a S&W 469 and a CZ75. The little sawed off 469 was unbelievable at 25 meter's. The CZ spite them out like they taste bad, it would hold all 15 in the 10 ring if I was sober enough . (German gun clubs have a bar and they ain't to worried about having a few WHILE your shooting )