Came Across a Good Deal on Clays Powder- Now What?

[One78Shovel]

I have used Universal Clays for all my pistol calibers from 9mm to 45 ACP for years. But today I came across a deal on 8 pounds Clays (not universal) and have read many dont like it. Especially with the heavier grain 9mm bullets. I shoot Berrys and Ranier 115 grain jacketed bullets in 9.

Both Lee Modern reload and the Hodgdon manuals have a load for 9mm with 115 gr. I see a load for 40 S&W in the Lee book with 180gr.

Ayone using 'Clays' for multiple calibers and happy?

Or should I work a trade with someone or sell it and then go get what I keep in stock, Universal Clays?

Thanks
-178S

[Briancnelson]

I would make the trade. It's not really ideal for what you want to use it for, you're much better off with Universal.

[noylj]

Clays is very fast and it produces severe pressure spikes if there is any weighing error.
It is best used in low pressure rounds, such as shotguns, .45ACP, and .38 Special. For other cartridges, it is best used for no more than mid-range target loads. With many cartridges you will find the starting load and the max load to be within 0.5gn of each other. This is an excellent sign of a poor powder choice.

[IntoForever]

I use the regular clays for my .45 reloads however as stated before, not much margin for error.

[Southpaw45]

As stated before me. Clays powder doesnt like being used in a wide weight range. For example, Hodgdons web site list a load for .45ACP 230grn bullets with 3.5 low and 4.0 high of "Clays" powder. Thats it! It doesnt mean that Clays aint a bad choice. It just means, Be Careful!! I use Clays for "some" of my .45ACP loads and all of my 12ga target loads. Its extremely clean burning but you got to fit it in to your requirements...

[sargenv]

I bought a pound of clays once and either gave it away or traded it away for something else before using it.. the load data was kind of sparse for anything other than a few select items (mentioned above). It's like bullseye, very fast, and useful for target loads.. but beyond that, too fast for most of the things I wanted to load. It is good for loading light target shotgun loads in 12 gauge.. hence the "Clays" moniker..