Clays and Universal Clays Powder????

[corsair_001]

Is there any new information that Clays and Universal Clays will ever be available again? I just loaded the last of my Clays, switching to WST for skeet and CAS in my 12 gauge.

[Hick]

Alliant now makes a similar powder for 12 gauge: Clay Dot. Some unofficial sources say it is virtually identical to Clays, but I have not found an official source for that.

[stubshaft]

They are NOT the same and if you look at the load data for shotguns you will see a marked difference in the pressure range between them.

[corsair_001]

This on Alliants' website today:

Clay Dot®
Smokeless Shotshell Powder
Optimum load for light and standard 12 gauge target loads
Duplicates the performance of Hodgdon® Clays™ at an economical price
Proudly made in America

Think I'll try a pound and see how it goes, now tracking down some I can afford!!!

[Half Dog]

I use Clays too but I shoot a 7/8 oz payload so powder isn’t a big issue right now.

[dverna]

I used the same loads for Clay Dot as Clays for trap loads. No problems.

1145 fps 1 1/8 oz loads.

[Tall]

Hodgdons has discontinued several powders. Clays, Universal Clays, Universal, and Trail Boss all have not been made for several years.

Since many other companies make powders that will do the job why not try one of them?

[Baltimoreed]

Been using clays and clay dot interchangeably for a while. Been loading .45colt with clays today.

[T_Williams]

Hodgdons has discontinued several powders. Clays, Universal Clays, Universal, and Trail Boss all have not been made for several years.

Since many other companies make powders that will do the job why not try one of them?

is there a replacement that works similar to Trail Boss?

[downzero]

Try some titewad or ramshot competition depending on what you're doing

[dverna]

is there a replacement that works similar to Trail Boss?

First, welcome to the forum!

I am not aware of any powder currently in production that has the properties of Trail Boss...high bulk density to help avoid "double charges".

One reason it and Tin Star (used to be made by Vihtavuori) have been discontinued is the low sales once the "fad" ran its course. There are powders that are more economical and people who shoot a lot used traditional powders. That was the reason I never tried it. I was shooting over 10k rounds a year of "cowboy loads" at the time it was introduced.

Many of the faster powders will do the job of light loads. Let us know what your shooting and people will chime in. Might want to start a new thread.

Again, welcome aboard!!

[Hick]

Try some titewad or ramshot competition depending on what you're doing

Yep-- Titewad is not as low density as Trail Boss-- but it is less dense than almost every other powder, and does a pretty good job of filling the case in situations where Trail Boss is good (and shoots good in those applications).

[Tall]

is there a replacement that works similar to Trail Boss?

Nope.