Hodgdon Clays for .45 ACP

[bhglr]

From the praise that Clays receives here I purchased a bottle. Got home, sat down, and tried to find data on loads for a 230 gr FMJ RN.

I tried the Hodgdon reloading online manual and the only 230 gr bullet listed that was close was the Hornady FMJ FP starting at 3.7 gr OAL 1.200".

My specific question is can I substitute the FMJ RN for the flat point? The OAL seems short to me... I'm new at this and don't want to destroy my gun. Power factor is not a concern for me at the moment.

Thanks.

[FLL1911]

This is my test load data for Clays on my Springfield Armory 1911 5" barrel using Zero bullets 230 gr RN I chrono on Dec 2007 (South Florida, altitude 0 ft, temperature around 76 F). It seems that the lower limit is 3.9 grains. Below this there is blow by, making the loads inconsistent (higher spread).

Grains	OAL   Min	   Max	   Avg	   Spread   Std Ded
3.8	1.260	639.62	710.26	670.99	70.64	31.35			
3.9	1.260	659.42	707.47	688.79	48.05	25.70						
4.0	1.260	710.71	751.06	724.94	40.35	18.11

For OAL comparison, my Precision bullets 230 FP are 1.221. 1.200 seems too short for RN.

Hope this helps,

[bhglr]

This is my test load data for Clays on my Springfield Armory 1911 5" barrel using Zero bullets 230 gr RN I chrono on Dec 2007 (South Florida, altitude 0 ft, temperature around 76 F). It seems that the lower limit is 3.9 grains. Below this there is blow by, making the loads inconsistent (higher spread).

Grains	OAL   Min	   Max	   Avg	   Spread   Std Ded
3.8	1.260	639.62	710.26	670.99	70.64	31.35			
3.9	1.260	659.42	707.47	688.79	48.05	25.70						
4.0	1.260	710.71	751.06	724.94	40.35	18.11

For OAL comparison, my Precision bullets 230 FP are 1.221. 1.200 seems too short for RN.

Hope this helps,

Thanks, your data closely mirrors that of other posts I have read. I have been unable to find any data specifically for the 230 gr RN and yes, the OAL was what concerned me.

For such a popular bullet it seems there would be formal data.

[Singlestack Dan]

In my Kimber 5" I made 168 PF using:

3.9 g clays

230 gr ranier plated RN

mixed brass

CCI large pistol primers

1.255 OAL

In my STI spartan 5" I had to bump it up to 4.0 g clays with the same components and OAL.

[lugnut]

Well I had a bunch of 230 Berrys with 4.1 Clays.. just made PF at 165 but it wouldn't cycle my G21 well at all. It's a real light load for sure.

[RePete]

I, too, am having a hell of a time making major with 230's and Clays.

I chrono'd 4.2gr and only got a PF of 163. I'm looking for 175.

I shoot under IPSC rules (I'm in Canada and I want a PF of 5 over - 175) and not USPSA.

All this is from a 4" 625.

[lugnut]

I, too, am having a hell of a time making major with 230's and Clays.

I chrono'd 4.2gr and only got a PF of 163. I'm looking for 175.

I shoot under IPSC rules (I'm in Canada and I want a PF of 5 over - 175) and not USPSA.

All this is from a 4" 625.

A friend of mine shoots his 625 with Clays as well. He says he made 165 PF with 4.0gr- I have no idea how he makes that. I don't have my numbers with me but my 1911 was just about 165 at 4.1gr. I now use W231 and I think 5.3gr will get me there easily as 5.2gr is just over. I don't screw around now as I've been too close for comfort in matches.

When I tested my new 21 with the 4.1gr Clays loads... no go as I mentioned- terrible problems. The W231 with 5.2gr worked fine. I dont' get the hype with Clays. It doesn't meter well either.

Edited November 3, 2008 by lugnut

[revchuck]

3.9 grains works with 230 grain RNL from my bottomfeeders (~745 fps from my M&P), but doesn't quite make it from my 4" S&W M22.