No "CLAYS" 45 ACP data in Manual?, Need Loads for 185g XTP,s

[Steve D.]

Hello All,

Strangely there is NO "CLAYS" load data in the current Hornady Manual for .45 ACP. It seems funny since there is so much good commentary for the "CLAYS and 45 ACP" combination here in the forum. I have 600 (free) 185g. XTP and now it's time to roll'em...

I have used Bullseye and W231 in .45 so far with good results. This wekend I put together a few hundred with Tightgoup (which IS in the Hornady Manual) that I actually bought for 9mm Testing / Experimentation. I am wanting to explore the more modern cleaner powders for both .45 and 9mm.

Can you guys float me some CLAYS and 185g XTP loads to start with? I never load at max. I usually run a 100 at a lower charge and a 100 at a Medium charge to see which one I like best for "feel", smoke, gun-operation, etc. I run this through a full size H&K USP (that is absolutley a "One Ragged-Hole Maker"..) I am NOT a competition shooter, just enjoy bull-shooting at 150-200 rnds a range visit a few times per month. I am an Accuracy hound and shoot primarily for groups... Must shoot Jacketed or Plated though as barrel is Polygon-Rifled.

This is MY golf and it goes "BANG!" instead of "WHACK"..

[shooting for M]

You can look around, but when I used clays with a 185 I didn't like what I was seeing on the brass or over the chrono. With a 230 that's different should be some data on the 45 reloading threads. IMHO I would try something other than clays with the 185. You can also try the Hodgdon website, I think that's where I got the data to try it out.

[mcracco]

Per Hodgdon:

Cartridge: 45 ACP

Load Type: Pistol

Starting Loads

Maximum Loads

Bullet Weight (Gr.) Manufacturer Powder Bullet Diam. C.O.L. Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure

185 GR. HDY JSWC Hodgdon Clays .451" 1.135" 4.5 855 14,500 CUP 4.9 981 17,400 CUP