[45 acp loads for IDPA]

Look no farther. I have extremely good luck with Clay's. Here is my load using a Dillon 650 with Dillon Dies and a Lee Factory Crimp Die & medium crimp. Clays goes a long way, shoots very clean.

45 ACP

Roger's Better Bullets 200gr SWC Hard Cast Lead: 4.3 grains Clays; 1.250 OAL; Average PF 171

Bayou 200gr SWC Smokeless Bullets: 4.5 grains Clays, 1.250 OAL; Average PF 172

Berry's 200gr Plated SWC Bullets: 4.5 grains Clays, 1.250 OAL; Average PF 170

I love Clays

[45 acp load using Clays]

I have extremely good luck with Clay's. Here is my load using a Dillon 650 with Dillon Dies and a Lee Factory Crimp Die & medium crimp.

45 ACP

Roger's Better Bullets 200gr SWC Hard Cast Lead: 4.3 grains Clays; 1.250 OAL; Average PF 171

Bayou 200gr SWC Smokeless Bullets: 4.5 grains Clays, 1.250 OAL; Average PF 172

Berry's 200gr Plated SWC Bullets: 4.5 grains Clays, 1.250 OAL; Average PF 170

I love Clays

[Been Using Clays ...What's Better]

My apologies. I forgot to post my load data. Here it is:

45 ACP

Roger's Better Bullets 200gr SWC Hard Cast Lead: 4.3 grains Clays; 1.250 OAL; Average PF 171

Bayou 200gr SWC Smokeless Bullets: 4.5 grains Clays, 1.250 OAL; Average PF 172

Berry's 200gr Plated SWC Bullets: 4.5 grains Clays, 1.250 OAL; Average PF 170

.38 Special

I only shoot the Bayou 135gr Round Nose: 3.9 grains Clays; 1.510 OAL; Average PF 134.40

.44 Special

Roger's Better Bullets 240gr RNFP Hard Cast Lead; 4.0 grains Clays; 1.450 OAL; Still have to Chrono

I love Clays

[Been Using Clays ...What's Better]

I have been using Clays for several years with great results. I shoot mostly IDPA and have shot many dark stages. I tested Clays against VV N320 in total darkness with plated bullets and a flashlight fully expecting VV to be much cleaner and less smoke based on what I've ben told by many. I found Clays to be every bit as clean and very easy to make a follow up shot with the flashlight. Other powders would create such a cloud of smoke that I couldn't take a quick follow up shot. I use Clays with 45 ACP, 38 Special and .44 Special. I do continue to use VV N320 for 9mm. It's a great powder.

[Holster Makers]

Wow, the list never stops. Here is a link to a great leather lined kydex holster if you want to protect your gun finish. I have several of them for different guns.

http://garrettindustries.mybigcommerce.com

Paul

[Timer Questions & Advice]

I just read the instruction book on the Pocket Pro II on their web site. I states that you should be able to set the par time in tenths. I have the Pact Club Timer and I can set that par time in tenths.

Paul

[Xl650...sit or stand]

I reload for an hour or so and then stretch our my back by touching my toes, or I should say attempting to touch my toes. It feels great after stretching. Standing is the only way to be productive.

Paul

[which powder scale ?]

I have great luck with the Dillon Electronic. Its very accurate and easy to use.

Paul

[XL650 up and running!]

I have 2 650's as well. One for small primer and one for large. Great versatility, quick changes and fast reloading. Thats a lot of reloading power.

Paul

[Bayou bullets]

Clays is the best for 45 and 38 Special. Soft shooting and as clean as VV.

Paul

[High Primers]

I usually double tap the primer seating. I used to get some slightly high primers and realized that when I seat the primers quickly, I think the surface resistance of the primer against the primer pocket binds up a little so when I relax the arm a little and give it another push I get it in much deeper. I find this particularly important when loading for a revolver with a light trigger.

Paul

[N320 v Clays]

I use both N320 and Clays and have tried them both in several calibers. I settled on Clay's in 45 ACP and 38 Special. I think it is every bit as clean as N320 and is soft shooting plus saves a lot of money. I continue to use N320 in 9mm with the 135 Grain Bayou Bullet.

Paul

[Clays powder]

I have used Clay's in 45 ACP and 38 Special for well over two years, about 1000 round per month, with no issues. It measures pretty will in my Dillon 650 with some variance due to the powder shape and size. The 45ACP and 38 Special are pretty low pressure rounds and while I would be careful, I wouldn't lose sleep over it. I love the power for is soft shooting characteristic and clean burning properties.

Paul

[Precision Bullet 200gr SWC vs 200gr RNF]

You can't beat the RNF for versatility, particularly at 1.200. I still like the SWC for the holes they make, especially at a match where you can see if you need to take a make up shot. In my revolver, I use the RNF with moon clips for a speedy reload.

Paul

[My 1st Revolver]

I would load to the recommended OAL so the pressures are correct for the load. If any of you are S&W 625 revolver shooters and use them in competition, there is a large advantage to the small primer 45 brass. I have collected a lot of small primer brass over the past two years and just kept it with the intention of using it at some point. I shoot both at 686 and a 625 in competition. After doing a complete trigger job on both guns, with Jerry Mikulek's help, I was able to have a smooth 6 pound trigger pull on both revolvers. The 686 ignited the primers consistently and reliably every time but the 625 required an 8 pound pull to be consistent and reliable. It dawned on me that the small primer might just be the difference so I loaded up a bunch of 45 with the small primer and set the trigger pull to 6 pounds. It works great so I am now looking to collect more small primer 45 brass for revolver shooting.

Paul

[Clays powder]

I use Clay's in 45 ACP and 38 Special and find it to be very clean and soft shooting. I love the stuff.

45 ACP

4.3 Grains

1.250 OAL

Lee Factory Crimp Die

38 Special

3.4 Grains

1.510

Lee Factory Crimp Die

Paul

[Clays Metering]

I have been using Clay's in 45 and 38 Special for over two years now. I find a small variance in the load but 45 ACP is such a low pressure cartridge, it will make no difference. Use it, you'll love it.

Paul

[Bayou Bullets 200Grn RN]

I love the Bayou Bullets. I use the 200gr RN with 4.3 Grains of Clay's. Clay's is soft shooting and very clean with the Bayou Bullets.

Paul

[Titegroup and 45ACP, good starting point?]

I reload several different calibers and have used Titegroup in 9mm with some success but find it a little snappy and dirty. I have used Clays in 45 and 38 Special for over two years now. It is very clean and soft shooting. I also did a test in the dark using Bayou coated bullets comparing Clays and VitaViouri N320 powders. Using a flashlight to check smoke levels, I found Clays to be every bit as clean burning as VV N320. I just Clays worked well for 9mm.

Paul

[Bayou Bullet Question]

I use a Lee FCD and with Bayou 200 gr RN and no issues. I do put a pretty good crimp on them. I make power factor in IDPA and have absolutely no issues with them budging with recoil.

Paul

[Win 45 acp NT brass]

There is an advantage to the small primer 45 brass: If any of you are S&W 625 revolver shooters and use them in competition, there is a large advantage to the small primer 45 brass. I have collected a lot of small primer brass over the past two years and just kept it with the intention of using it at some point. I shoot both at 686 and a 625 in competition. After doing a complete trigger job on both guns, with Jerry Mikulek's help, I was able to have a smooth 6 pound trigger pull on both revolvers. The 686 ignited the primers consistently and reliably every time but the 625 required an 8 pound pull to be consistent and reliable. It dawned on me that the small primer might just be the difference so I loaded up a bunch of 45 with the small primer and set the trigger pull to 6 pounds. It works great so I am now looking to collect more small primer 45 brass for revolver shooting.

Paul

[Win. NT]

There is another advantage to using small primer 45. If any of you are S&W 625 revolver shooters and use them in competition, there is a large advantage to the small primer 45 brass. I have collected a lot of small primer brass over the past two years and just kept it with the intention of using it at some point. I shoot both at 686 and a 625 in competition. After doing a complete trigger job on both guns, with Jerry Mikulek's help, I was able to have a smooth 6 pound trigger pull on both revolvers. The 686 ignited the primers consistently and reliably every time but the 625 required an 8 pound pull to be consistent and reliable. It dawned on me that the small primer might just be the difference so I loaded up a bunch of 45 with the small primer and set the trigger pull to 6 pounds. It works great so I am now looking to collect more small primer 45 brass for revolver shooting.

Paul

[45ACP with SP Primers]

If any of you are S&W 625 revolver shooters and use them in competition, there is a large advantage to the small primer 45 brass. I have collected a lot of small primer brass over the past two years and just kept it with the intention of using it at some point. I shoot both at 686 and a 625 in competition. After doing a complete trigger job on both guns, with Jerry Mikulek's help, I was able to have a smooth 6 pound trigger pull on both revolvers. The 686 ignited the primers consistently and reliably every time but the 625 required an 8 pound pull to be consistent and reliable. It dawned on me that the small primer might just be the difference so I loaded up a bunch of 45 with the small primer and set the trigger pull to 6 pounds. It works great so I am now looking to collect more small primer 45 brass for revolver shooting.

Paul

[Small Primer 45 Loads]

There is a large advantage to the small primer 45 when using 625 revolvers. If any of you are S&W 625 revolver shooters and use them in competition, there is a large advantage to the small primer 45 brass. I have collected a lot of small primer brass over the past two years and just kept it with the intention of using it at some point. I shoot both at 686 and a 625 in competition. After doing a complete trigger job on both guns, with Jerry Mikulek's help, I was able to have a smooth 6 pound trigger pull on both revolvers. The 686 ignited the primers consistently and reliably every time but the 625 required an 8 pound pull to be consistent and reliable. It dawned on me that the small primer might just be the difference so I loaded up a bunch of 45 with the small primer and set the trigger pull to 6 pounds. It works great so I am now looking to collect more small primer 45 brass for revolver shooting.

Paul

[45 ACP Loads]

I appreciate the actual data and hoped there wouldn't be much difference. If any of you are S&W 625 revolver shooters and use them in competition, there is a large advantage to the small primer 45 brass. I have collected a lot of small primer brass over the past two years and just kept it with the intention of using it at some point. I shoot both at 686 and a 625 in competition. After doing a complete trigger job on both guns, with Jerry Mikulek's help, I was able to have a smooth 6 pound trigger pull on both revolvers. The 686 ignited the primers consistently and reliably every time but the 625 required an 8 pound pull to be consistent and reliable. It dawned on me that the small primer might just be the difference so I loaded up a bunch of 45 with the small primer and set the trigger pull to 6 pounds. It works great so I am now looking to collect more small primer 45 brass for revolver shooting.

Paul