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Looking at some data for 9mm 124gr jhp bullets. In Richard Lee's Modern Reloading manual there is a load calling for universal clay and a different load calling for clays. Am I right in assuming that universal clay is now what Hodgon calls just plain old universal? Reason I'm asking? I was just gifted 4lbs of h universal. Thanks for any info.
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I would not make assumptions like that. However internet "research" says that it's the same powder. But, I don't know the answer. I'm saying you should be careful and maybe just call up Hodgdon and ask to be sure. You don't want to make assumptions when loading!==================
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Universal is a different powder from Universal Clays. I got bit, I wanted Clays, and found a bottle that said Universal, and purchased it. Wrong damn powder. Hodgdon is a bunch of dumb asses for creating names that are easy to confuse. I am certain a bunch of people have confused the two and blown up firearms. Either call the powder Clays, or Universal, but not Universal Clays, or Universal Universal.
Alliant Unique is one of the most flexible bullet powders I have used. Works great in 32 S&W Long, 38 Special, 44 Special, 44 Mag, 45 ACP, 45 LC. Does well in the 357 Mag but there are better powders. Anyway Universal was Hodgdon's attempt to make a contender for Unique. I tested Universal in my 44 Special and 45 LColt and decided it was inferior to Unique in terms of accuracy.Comment
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LW...roger that...bad choice of words.Comment
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Universal used to be called "Universal Clays Technology". Now, it's simply called "Universal". Then you have "Clays", which is a different powder altogether.
Both from Hodgdon. Hope that helps a little.Comment
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Clays, International Clays, Universal Clays, and Clay Dot ARE ALL DIFFERENT POWDERS. DO NOT USE THEM INTERCHANGEABLY.
THEY ARE NOT THE SAME.Comment
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I think the first version was called "Universal Clays" and then they got rid of the "Clays" part of the name, due to the confusion. There isn't a "Universal Clays" that I could find on the Hodgdon site.
I found Universal to be pretty dirty until pressures got high enough to make it burn well. I did a bunch f experimenting with International, and was happy with that in 9mm and .38 Short Colt. Burned REALLY clean, and is a little slower than Clays. I'm not sure if there is much data for pistol stuff using International any more. I found some of the little books they used to hand out at SHOT years ago. Clays burns clean, and pretty fast. Pressures can go up pretty quick (like all fast powders). A friend blew up a pistol not too long after Clays came out, shooting .40 S&W - Hodgdon immediately lowered the data. Gotta watch OAL in 9mm and .40 S&W. Shorter = more pressure.
Good luck!!There are some people that it's just not worth engaging.
It's a muzzle BRAKE, not a muzzle break. Or is your muzzle tired?Comment
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There is plenty of data for Universal, so I would stick to that. I love Universal and have found it to be accurate, clean-burning, and cost-effective in .45 colt, .32 H&R Mag, and .327 Fed Mag over a range of charges.Comment
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The names of those mentioned gun powders are totally phucked-up.
Confusing is one thing, but Dang!Comment
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There is Clays and Universal. Universal is Universal Clays.
Universal has been my go to powder for 10 years. 4.3 gr with a 124gr seed is my optimal load.sigpic
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