d_striker Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 (edited) My .40 minor load was 3.2gr Clays with a 155gr plated bullet at 1.125". I shoot it in an XDm with a 14lb recoil spring. I love this load but can't find Clays anywhere and can't wait any longer to source some. Has anyone used e3 for minor loads using a 155gr bullet? All the threads on here regarding e3 seem to be major loads in .40 and minor loads in 9mm. As there isn't much published data for this powder, I need all the help I can get and fast so I can pull the trigger on the e3 before it sells out like everything else in this current climate. Thanks! Edited April 24, 2013 by d_striker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankge Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 I'd like to hear about this too. I need to load some .40 minor for the ProAm coming up and have 8lbs of it. I have loaded if major with 180's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d_striker Posted April 24, 2013 Author Share Posted April 24, 2013 (edited) I'd like to hear about this too. I need to load some .40 minor for the ProAm coming up and have 8lbs of it. I have loaded if major with 180's. I think the burden may be on you to work up a load. For reference, 3.2gr Clays @ 1.125" in a 4.5" XDm easily makes about 130 PF. This load needs a reduced power recoil spring though for my pistol. I tried 3.4 and 3.6 gr Titegroup last weekend with the same bullet and length and I could not make minor with it. Recoil was much snappier than my Clays load that I don't even want to bother bumping up the charge to make minor. Based on all of the threads I read and comparing the burn rate to other fast powders, I was thinking that 3.2gr would be a good starting point with a 155gr plated bullet. I would be interested to know if it would cycle the slide and also what the velocity was. Hodgdon lists e3 as faster than Clays and Titegroup. ETA-Well, I just bit the bullet and bought 8 lbs. I'm sure I'll find some use for it but I'm still saddened by having to find a substitute for Clays. As the saying goes though, beggars can't be choosers. It's really sad that the component situation has come to this with no signs of letting up within the next year. Edited April 24, 2013 by d_striker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkCO Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 I have loaded .40 minor with it and I liked it more than Clays. Higher volume and better metering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d_striker Posted April 24, 2013 Author Share Posted April 24, 2013 I have loaded .40 minor with it and I liked it more than Clays. Higher volume and better metering. That's good to hear. What about recoil, or should I say lack thereof? .40 minor with Clays feels like cheating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wgj3 Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 You can always add more. Why not start a little lower, say 2.8-3.0 and work up with a chrono? Load 5-10 chrono and check for cycling at same time. Add more if needed while paying attention to primers, brass, etc from previously fired roumds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d_striker Posted April 24, 2013 Author Share Posted April 24, 2013 You can always add more. Why not start a little lower, say 2.8-3.0 and work up with a chrono? Load 5-10 chrono and check for cycling at same time. Add more if needed while paying attention to primers, brass, etc from previously fired roumds. Now that I have it on order, that is exactly what I'll do. I was just trying to get some info before committing to 8lbs of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkCO Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 (edited) I have loaded .40 minor with it and I liked it more than Clays. Higher volume and better metering.That's good to hear. What about recoil, or should I say lack thereof? .40 minor with Clays feels like cheating. Edited April 25, 2013 by MarkCO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkCO Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 Trying to edit above but some glitch... E3, to me, is softer than Clays for the same PF. It is faster, so I keep it in minor only. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d_striker Posted April 25, 2013 Author Share Posted April 25, 2013 Trying to edit above but some glitch... E3, to me, is softer than Clays for the same PF. It is faster, so I keep it in minor only. Thanks Mark. This makes me feel better about pulling the trigger on 8lbs of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankge Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 Maybe not quite minor but I am trying 3.4 e3 with 180 plated 1.135 for my G35 for the pro am in July. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankge Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 Fed mag primers for better Burn and its what I got Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowenbuilt Posted June 29, 2013 Share Posted June 29, 2013 (edited) I did some testing with e3 today in .40. Starting load was 3.2 grns with a RMR 180 plated at 1.135 OAL. Ave 835 FPS and functioned the gun perfectly. Then stepped it up to 3.6 grns, ave. 866 FPS with cleaner burning and more consistent. May go for 4.0 tomorrow just to see what happens but at 3.6 it is still not fully sealing the chamber and primers are round. This load is as soft as butter! Very nice load with good accuracy and clean with no smoke. I think I'm hooked. Edited June 29, 2013 by bowenbuilt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankge Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 I just loaded 1000 with 3.5 grains for the Pro-Am, more than minor but less than major, rmr bullet 180 with Fed SPM primer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowenbuilt Posted July 12, 2013 Share Posted July 12, 2013 I would be interested in your results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankge Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 180 RMR Plated 3.5g e3 1.135 OAL Fed SPMM 793 fps avg out of my G35 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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