SSGJohnV Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 Hello All, I have an STI Edge inbound in a few days along with some Bayou 180 grain TC. I've been using 165 grain Berrys or Xtreme's to make major with Longshot, although there is considerable flash and it took like 6.7 grains to get there. I was wanting to try another more economical powder to make major in my new Limited STI. Powders I have on hand in any quantity: -800x -Clays -Longshot -VV3N37 -Trail Boss (ha, just kidding) -about 1/3 pound of Zip -Red Dot I've used 3N37 to make major with 165 grain plated, but it was loud and flashy. I'm in Alaska, so mail ordering powder is kind of out the door. I'm limited to what I can find on the shelves. Should I try to make clays work, or should I just accept the limitations of longshot and 3N37 and make do? Thanks. -John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcc7x7 Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 WST if you can find it works great at 1.190 Clays as long as you can load in your chamber and work up very safely Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ttownracer Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 Hard to beat Clays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSGJohnV Posted March 9, 2014 Author Share Posted March 9, 2014 Forgot to add I have Unique available, too. I plan on loading long regardless, but any tips on making major safely with clays? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newmexicocrawler Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 I never liked clays....couldn't make power without pressure signs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZackJones Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 Trail Boss rules -- but not for .40 and trying to make major in .45 ACP. Congrats on the Edge. They are fantastic pistols. Another powder to try, if you can find it, is e3. It will make major easily. 3.9g of e3 with a Bayou 180 should be good. I tried working up some loads with Red Dot with my son's Para P16-40 and while it will make major I didn't like the feel of it. I've switched everything over to e3 except for bunny far loads for steel challenge. For those I still use Trail Boss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSGJohnV Posted March 10, 2014 Author Share Posted March 10, 2014 I have a line on a pound or 2 of W-231 and I use it for .38 special anyhow, so I'm going to pick it up today from a small distributor up here. I asked about clays powder and he said they don't exist anymore as the plant burned down last year...I'm not going to say anything, just take my powder and drive on. I look forward to being in the lower 48 again if only for mail order powder and primer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDM Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 I use 4.8gr of 231 with the bayous but I load short for a CZ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSGJohnV Posted March 11, 2014 Author Share Posted March 11, 2014 Picked up a pound of HP-38 and a pound of Autocomp today. Going to play with the loads to get what I need. If there is anything I need to know about using autocomp, I would appreciate the info. Thanks for the input so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kamikaze1a Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 W231 and HP-38 is said to be the same or share the same load data. I load lead cast for an Edge. 4.7gr 1.165 makes major for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSGJohnV Posted March 11, 2014 Author Share Posted March 11, 2014 Ok. I worked up some HP-38 loads today when my Bayous came in. Data: 180 grain Bayou TC Winchester SPP HP-38 @ 4.4 4.6 4.8 5.0 OAL 1.175 I cross referenced my loading manual and all seems OK. Will see how accuracy and chrono goes. Looking up data for autocomp is a bit harder. Book says 5.6-6.2 with a Berrys 180 grain at SAAMI OAL. Where should I start? Worth the trouble? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearguywb Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 Anyone have a good starting load for Clays loaded long (1.20)? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerTrace Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 Anyone have a good starting load for Clays loaded long (1.20)? Thanks 4.7 under a 180 grain JHP loaded to 1.22. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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