Clays and Molley

[Blank Zero]

Hello all,

This is the first time I start loading with molley and clays, I have couple of questions that I hope I can get answers here. Any help is greatly appreciate

Bullet: Bear Creek 230 LRN molley

Primer: LP winchester

Brass: Mixed stamps

Powder: Hodgdon Clays

O.A.L: 1.240

My result from chrono are below:

3.2 gr 3.4 gr 3.6 gr 3.8 gr 4.0 gr

646.9 701.0 716.9 763.9 752.3

660.4 709.0 709.3 769.2 785.4

691.9 680.0 735.8 773.7 805.6

648.6 680.9 722.2 754.2 781.5

638.5 694.1 723.0 754.0 783.0

151pf 159pf 165pf 175pf 179pf

I want to keep it around 170pf, so I guess my next test load would be 3.7 gr of Clays. Below are some of my question:

1) Hodgdon website recommend O.A.L of 1.200, however, from what I know, it is recommend to make the bullet as long as possible that fit the chamber. My Kimber goldmatch can be fit at 1.260 (this is my load for Delta Precision FMJ 230Gr), but for this load I made it 1.240. Should I follow Hodgdon? Or keep my orignal of 1.260 or 1.240?

2) At 3.6 grain, I am at 165pf, which way is recommend? Increase powder to 3.7gr? Or shorten the O.A.L? 3.6gr recoil is just superb compare to 3.8 and 4.0gr.

Thank you so much in advance for your help

[BlueOvalBruin]

Forget about the OAL number. For those bear creek 230gr RN bullets set the bullet deep enough so the distal edge of the "shoulder" is just above the case mouth. Any longer than that could cause feed problems, and shorter than that is unnecessary. Then adjust your powder charge to acheive the desired PF. I don't remember exactly what the OAL is but it's definitely shorter than 1.250".

[Blank Zero]

Thank you BlueOvalBruin,

What do you mean by "Distal edge of the "Shoulder"? is it the groove? Or do you mean where the bullet start to curve?

[wanderer]

that would be this line here. you want the brass about 1mm below it

[BlueOvalBruin]

Wanderer’s picture is exactly what I meant. Although my recommendation would be to put that shoulder just barely above the case mouth, maybe .010”.

[gigamortis]

I use Bayou Bullets 230gr RN with 3.7gr Clays @ 1.240" for 170pf. My load data is pretty much identical to yours.

[Blank Zero]

Thank you guys

[Mike_Kerr]

Ditto for me:

I use a nominal 3.8 gr and worry very little about matching the books OAL. 1.236 to 1.240 +- is about right. I use "precision bullets" and the loading has stayed about the same despite a change in mold configuration a few years back.

regards,

[MassiveGorillaz]

Hey guys,

Would the shorter OAL cause leading? I've been loading 1.200" OAL 230 grain LRN precision bullets (black bullets) with 4.0 grns clays and I have been getting some lead deposits. I pulled a couple of bullets and the black coating is in tact and not being stripped by the seating process.

My 1911 can handle a 1.26 OAL.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

[Ryan N]

Heres 8 shot averages through my Spartan:

230 Bear Creek 3.5 Clays, 1.220 OAL 730fps(168 PF)

230 Bear Creek 3.6 Clays, 1.220 OAL 752fps(172 PF)

[Tul9033]

230gr J&K Hard Cast RN - 1.25 OAL - 3.9gr Clays's - STI Spartan ~180 PF very accurate though

My next batch with be in the 3.6 to 3.7 range.

Edited October 26, 2011 by Tul9033

[johnny1gun]

My gun feeds fine with the OAL at 1.255.Is it better for feeding to have the OAL at 1.240? I use 4.0 clays and Bayou Bullets. Next batch will be 3.7 clays.