Lifeislarge Posted April 7, 2014 Share Posted April 7, 2014 Well, I've got four pounds of the shit and I don't load 12 gauge so I'm going to come up with something. I'd rather have real world experience through a Glock 34 in minor or an Edge with a bull barrel in .40 major than "I know a guy who..." I also picked up a pound of TG today for .40 major as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CeeZer Posted April 7, 2014 Share Posted April 7, 2014 Clays is good powder for 9mm Minor. If one is having accuracy issues, it is most likely something else but powder. It could be crimp or OAL, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azpred Posted April 19, 2014 Share Posted April 19, 2014 I'm trying to find some load data for Clays with 124 gr Federal Hydro Shok JHPs I've been shooting FMJ 124s with 3.6 gr. (my first reloading experience) Clays was all I could get when I bought my 550. Trying to find load data with comparable bullets but no luck in 124 gr. Just not sure how going to JHP will impact pressure if I try to stay with my FMJ load OAL ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve RA Posted April 19, 2014 Share Posted April 19, 2014 A FMJ and a JHP probably have about the same amount of jacket bearing on the barrel. Assuming same bullet weight should be the same, or so close you probably couldn't measure the difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowenbuilt Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 I tried Clays in 9mm a few years ago and while the recoil was the usual Clays magic the groups size was disappointing. Reading CeeZer's comments above motivated me to give this another try. I dialed in the PF today on the Chrono with several different bullet weights and types and did some informal accuracy tests at the 50 yard 12" gong which showed promise. I have 147 Blue Bullets, X-Treme plated and MG's all at 130 PF. I also loaded a bunch of 124 and 125 MG's up and calibrated them today across the screens. If the weather holds up for a few days I will bench all these at 25 yards and see what happens. While shooting all these today through the chrono I noticed again that the plated bullet loads were notably softer than all the rest. This phenomenon makes absolutely no sense to me but it shows up big time in .40 also. I am loading the Blue Bullets with 2.9, the plated X-Tremes with 3.1 and the 124/125's with 3.6 of Clays to get PF. All rounds showed no high pressure signs and most are not fully sealing the chambers with no case head expansion and no flattened or cratered primers. Groups sizes to follow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lifeislarge Posted April 22, 2014 Share Posted April 22, 2014 (edited) Powders still available for trade. I'll even throw in 3,281.25 grains (7.5 oz) of Win 231 to make up the 4 oz deficit in the Clay's jug. Edited April 22, 2014 by Lifeislarge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azpred Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 A FMJ and a JHP probably have about the same amount of jacket bearing on the barrel. Assuming same bullet weight should be the same, or so close you probably couldn't measure the difference. Thanks Steve! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amp Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 Powders still available for trade. I'll even throw in 3,281.25 grains (7.5 oz) of Win 231 to make up the 4 oz deficit in the Clay's jug. Would you sell it outright? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lifeislarge Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 Powders still available for trade. I'll even throw in 3,281.25 grains (7.5 oz) of Win 231 to make up the 4 oz deficit in the Clay's jug. Would you sell it outright? No, can't find any to buy to replace it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amp Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 I understand. I have 2 pounds of Longshot if it interests you. Thanks Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowenbuilt Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 (edited) I only had time yesterday to test the 147 Blue Bullets before a down pour. I'd say that Clays and a 147 coated bullet are a perfect match. Very low recoil and after I adjusted my sights, which I needed to do anyway for the e3 load I have been using since I installed the KKM barrel, what more could you ask for. The orange squares are 2" and I do not believe I could ask for better accuracy out of a converted Glock 35. The e3 load for comparison was is doing 135 PF and the Clays load is 129. Edited April 27, 2014 by bowenbuilt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
v1911 Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 And that was with a glock at 25yds? That's pretty friggin nice. Looks like a winning combo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CeeZer Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 Clays is underestimated powder in my books, but many people may and will have issues with its metering thru powder drop. Well, if it meters well for you, it's a very good powder for 9mm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowenbuilt Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 Yep, a Glock 35, Gen 3 with a KKM 9mm conversion barrel. It shoots .40 equally as well with a reamed LWD barrel and e3 at 25 yards off of a bench rest. Those first shots always screw up a perfectly good group and a lot of times I will fire the first shot off of the target like the middle picture. There is something about the placement of the first round by hand that tends to make it a little off. All of my autos do this no matter who makes them or how much they cost. When I did this same test some years ago with jacketed 124 grain bullets and Clays the groups were no where close to being this good but I am going to give it another try as soon as I get the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OPENB Posted May 16, 2014 Share Posted May 16, 2014 I just loaded some 9mm loads with Clays since I have 5# of it. 3.5 gr. under a SNS 125RN gave me an average of 1065fps. So soft! Didn't have a chance to shoot groups, but I think I'm in love with this load. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miranda Posted May 16, 2014 Share Posted May 16, 2014 (edited) So WTF is Clays good for? Apparently you can't use it for .40 major, and now it's inaccurate in 9mm. I'm picking up a 4lb jug today and was going to use it for 9mm minor loads. Should I just get it for the trade value? If so, why the hell are so many people geeked out over it??? you have a lot of answers to this and I will add that I tried clays. I can't say it is accurate over anything else. I am a brass escort and so I look at my cases after I shoot them. what caught my attention is that some primers looked flattened and some looked normal. I read more about clays, the advice was that it can pressure spike. that means to check that you are consistent in your reloading and that bullets do not set back. I decided to run clays in the middle of the recommended range and to shift to another powder when I started to chase power factors. The accuracy issue may come from the pressure changes as one goes closer to the power/pressure limits. clays is a serviceable powder, just don't push it miranda Edited May 16, 2014 by Miranda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lifeislarge Posted May 16, 2014 Share Posted May 16, 2014 (edited) I loaded a bunch of different weights with 147gr. bullets and made minor but all of my primers were flat. Then I looked at some other range brass I'd picked up at matches and it turns out a lot of guys primers are flat. Who knows? It shot okay but at 25 yards I couldn't get it to group. Maybe it's better with 124's. Edited May 17, 2014 by Lifeislarge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ipscjoe Posted May 17, 2014 Share Posted May 17, 2014 I'd say find a PUBLISHED minor load and stick with it. Then you don't have to worry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jman Posted May 19, 2014 Share Posted May 19, 2014 I searched and found a boat load of Clays info.. http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=184169&hl=%2Bclays#entry2035592 http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=131870&hl=%2Bclays#entry1485135 http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=130794&hl=%2Bclays#entry1473637 http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=105461&page=2&hl=%2Bclays#entry1383300 http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=105673&hl=%2Bclays#entry1202111 plus a few dozen more threads... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tac_driver Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 Glock 19 Berrys 147gr. PRN Clays 3.2 Win OAL 1.150 WolfSP avg vel 885 PF 130 YMMV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pskys2 Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 (edited) Well, I've got four pounds of the shit and I don't load 12 gauge so I'm going to come up with something. I'd rather have real world experience through a Glock 34 in minor or an Edge with a bull barrel in .40 major than "I know a guy who..." I also picked up a pound of TG today for .40 major as well. Where did you find Titegroup?! Titegroup makes life simpler in my 40 and 9mm. As for Clays I have a great load for 38 short colt (which is very close to a 9mm in case capacity) in my Revolver a 160 Bayou at 845f/s, 3"@50 yds. Am in the process of re-testing with other bullets after having done a bit of work on the gun. Previously had very good luck with Clays with heavier bullets, but very bad with Plated or lighter bullets. There Titegroup and Competition were better. Since I have 10 pounds of Clays and 3m 9mm 124 mg jhp, 3m 147 Plated rn and 3m 40 180 mg jhp and only 2 pounds of Titgroup, guess I will be looking closer at the issue. Sure hope I can make it work in my stock G34 and STI. Edited May 24, 2014 by pskys2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lifeislarge Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 I've since found another 4lbs of TiteGroup so the Clays will sit on the shelf as back up or trade powder for now. There is published load data for 9mm Clays so it may be that a jacketed 124 is the key. I've only been buying plated bullets for the last year or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stinsonbeach Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 Clays can be used for everything... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stinsonbeach Posted May 27, 2014 Share Posted May 27, 2014 (edited) So WTF is Clays good for? Apparently you can't use it for .40 major, and now it's inaccurate in 9mm. I'm picking up a 4lb jug today and was going to use it for 9mm minor loads. Should I just get it for the trade value? If so, why the hell are so many people geeked out over it??? Look, everyone has their "powder". Mine happens to be Clays. Cheap, fast, clean - relatively - & until they blew themselves up, available. 9mm - 124 / 3+; 147 / 3- .45 - 200 SWC / 4; 230 ball / 4 - how about that! Different guns chrono differently. Clays cost's about $80 / 4 lb. N320 - when you can get it as it's "batched" only 2x / year - can be double that & you have to use more of it! So simply "...whatever feels right, is right." -jb ps I see this post beginning of April, it is now end of May. If you got that jug & don't want let me know, I'll buy it. Edited May 27, 2014 by stinsonbeach Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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