Can anyone tell of there expierance with Hogdons Universal Clays in the 8x57 with the Max boolit? My new mold from Midsouth should be here soon, and I have 8lbs of the stuff.

I'm thinking it might work for loads in the 14-18000fps range.


Thanks


Mike

Mike, Since there are so many powders available which work so well for the 8mm Mau. with heavy bullets, why do you want to try such a fast one? I'm thinking pressure will be much too high for the range of velocity you're seeking. Alliant 2400 would be as fast a propellant as I'd care to try, but consider H/IMR 4198, IMR 3031, or even WC 860 (48gr., no filler). Hope this helps, ...Maven

Soundman, you can use fast flake powders for moderate speed rounds but please remember -- the 8mm Maximum is off the books weightwise (250 grains heavy) so approach any maximum loadings of Universal Clays with your ears on. Look for cratered primers and measure your case web expansion right in front of the head looking for signs of high pressure. You are going to make some if you go near pressure max loadings on that particular powder.



Now, I can't say much for overloading the 8mm Maximum as I was just out this afternoon for a rock and rola big recoil session using a full 8x57 case of IMR 7383 under the big bullet. Since the powder itself is off the books and the bullet weight was off the books -- heck, I guess you have to say I was shooting some off the books heavily-loaded 8mm rounds.



Here's the trick -- I can tell folks all about IMR 7383 and the 8x57 case and the big 8mm Maximum bullet because I really have reason to believe it may be a "naturally" safe powder in that particular case. You would have to really really really struggle to get yourself into trouble with it. It may give you a crick in your neck from the heavy recoil, but it isn't going to unexpectedly blow your gun apart on you.



Universal Clays is a different animal entirely. You could concievably make up a "blow-up round" with the stuff. You could possibly accidentally throw a double charge with the stuff and go there purely accidentally and completely unexpectedly.



I have made one (1) double-charge round in my shooting career, using Unique in a Ruger .44 pistol -- and it scared the shit out of me. My Ruger ate the round but my stoutly constructed (overbuilt) Ruger definitely told me all about the double charge both with the greatly increased noise and recoil and the trouble in getting the firmly stuck case out of the cylinder.



I was lucky I was shooting a beefy constructed Ruger pistol -- a pretty, delicate S&W pistol might have cost me some major repair money for that particular stupid trick. I took all precautions, but it still happened.



Just remember, fast flake powders can do that in a rifle case and even if you peer down inside the case will you be able to tell the difference between a single throw of powder and an accidental double throw?



Dark down there, isn't it?



Oldfeller

I haven't done 8mm but did try it in .30-30 and cast bullets. Very much like Unique except not so sooty. Try Unique starting loads and work up. Careful, pressure builds up quickly with small charge increments.