powder switching

Newysan

Beginner
Jan 4, 2009
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Question on powders. A friend has brought up the possibility of using a powder called "Sporting Clays" as a direct replacement for Unique in pistols that I reload {9mm 45acp 44m} He claims it's cleaner burning and that you actually use the same amount as used with Unique! It all sounds to easy. Surely the more experienced folks here already know about this and I would appreciate some enlightenment. Thanks in advance. Newysan
 
Alliant seems to be the maker and has a guide but no refernce to "sporting clays " in pistol data. With all the experimenters I thought this might be a good place to search. n
 
I searched Alliant's site and found nothing about "Sporting Clays" powder. Can you provide a link or address where this is advertised? I know about Hodgdon's "Clays" and saw Alliant's new "Clay Dot", but haven't heard about this powder. I'm now curious.
 
Hodgdon powder makes one called "Clays" they say it's great for 45 and 38 target shooting. not sure if you can swap the powder charge exactly for Unique.

website is www.hodgdon.com
 
Did find some data in Hogdons online data base, real light loads. {difficult to read} So I guess the question should be does anybody have any experience with this powder in these applications? n
 
So you were referring to Clays from Hodgdon? Also, we'll need to know what bullets (weight) you're looking to load with this powder for the calibers you mentioned.
 
The good thing is I happened to stock up some time ago. I have 185g swc/moly, 200g swc moly and 230g rn moly in 45 acp. 240g swc moly 44m and 115rn moly in 9mm. Thanks n
 
Hodgdon makes Clays, Universal Clays and International Clays.
Both Clays and Universal Clays can be used for handgun applications, International Clays is a shotgun powder only.
http://www.hodgdon.com/shotpist.html
I have used Universal Clays in my 45 ACP with 230 gr FMJ bullets and it is pretty clean burning. I have switched to W231 for my 45 ACP loading.

JD338
 
Hornady has data for Hogdons Universal Clays and Clays in the pistol data section.
They are different powders even though they share a similar name.
They do burn clean.
I used one of them a while back but didn't log it.
I primarilly use them for the 12ga
 
I've used Clays and Universal Clays in revolvers and pistols for many years. The most accurate handgun load I've ever shot is a 148gr DEWC over the listed max charge of Hodgdon Clays in a .38Spl case, shot out of my .357Mag. I managed to get six shots into 1.561" at 20yds standing Weaver. I've printed numerous sub-2" groups at 20-25yds with this load, as well. The load is pretty soft, great for plinking, and has almost unnoticeable recoil. When you're outside, wearing muffs, it sounds like a firecracker going off. The one caution is that the stuff doesn't meter well in small charges, so you may have to trickle a bunch. I bet it's better in an electronic scale/measure setup, but I just have a powder measure and a beam scale.

I highly recommend the Clays and Universal Clays powders for routine use in handguns, but be careful about the whole metering thing - don't just throw charges and hope they're right.
 
Thanks to all for taking the time to share knowledge, it really helps and is appreciated. Metering these real fine powders is an art, caution seems to be the rule. Newysan
 
Try calling the powder manufacturers and ask them about it. That would be the best way to get the best informatin. You could also ask the friend that was telling you about the powder to see what else he can tell you about it. Best wishes with it.
 
Clays meters alright in larger quantities, but my wadcutter load is 2.5gr, which doesn't meter so well, even with the small cavity setup in either an RCBS or Hornady manual powder measure. 2.5gr is an awful small amount of powder...
 
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