(I will post some better info a little later. I just got back from a week of shooting.)
I tried a few rounds of 10mm using Alliant Steel to see what would happen. The only reason why I did this is because I have a pound of Alliant Steel powder, and no use for it. I didn't do any extensive tests.
I used a 175 grain Lee Tumble Lube Semi-wadcutter. I can't remember what type lead I used, but it was either water quenched wheel weights with tin added to make ~2% or water quenched Hardball lead (92% lead, 6% antimony, 2% tin).
All shot from a Glock 20 with stock barrel.
9.0 grains chronoed about 900+ fps
10.5 grains chronoed over 1000+ fps
11.5 grains was about 5fps fast that 10.5 grains. It seemed like the extra grain did nothing.
These were basically 40 S&W velocities. Accuracy was about the same or worse than shooting factory Fiocchi 170 grain 40S&W out of a 10mm barrel.
no signs of high pressure.
There were a few who tested Alliant Steel over at Glock Talk including Mike McNett himself.
That data is shown here; http://www.glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=179347 (http://www.glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=179347)
Man, back in the day McNett would certainly twist the dragons tail.
Alliant says that Steel is 3.8% slower than Blue Dot. That should make it an excellent 10mm powder, and make Blue Dot data a good starting point.
XSQLBullet, theoretically it should work quite well, and I think the Blue Dot needs to be pushed to perform and maybe the same for Steel as well.
If only the powder makers would loaded it to the full pressure values and publish it!
Quote from: The_Shadow on September 12 2014 03:35:44 PM MDT
There were a few who tested Alliant Steel over at Glock Talk including Mike McNett himself.
That data is shown here; http://www.glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=179347 (http://www.glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=179347)
I saw that link in another thread. He is using a 6" barrel. The extra powder may have had time to burn.
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Looking at the data on the thread that was on glocktalk, it seems maybe steel runs better in a longer barrel AND with heavier bullets?
I have a pound of steel myself that I intend to try out at somepoint, just because I happen to get it cheap.... and powder is hard to get around here.
:( And im almost out..... The two pounds of 2400 I tracked down to start with are about gone, and any more options I can find are welcome to me. Now if I could find any use for the pound of 300-MP I bought thinking I had lucked out, id be set for awhile :))
Steel is shown as being slower than 2400, AA#9, AA4100, being that slow it is understandable it performs better with the heavy bullets and longer barrels, better gas seal and more burn expansion time... ::)
Im still learning this stuff :)) thats all... and I learn quite a bit from this forum pretty often.... even if I say some dumb stuff :-[
Desolo, your response was not a dumb one at all. Although Steel is on the slow side and is probably too slow, it is still useable to a point. That was the reason I post the GT link for those who want to try it for themselves. The performance it does provide can make for some useable ammo especially in a pinch. ;)
Going by that data, would 200-220gr bullets be a good place to start? I note that McNett preferred mag primers in the steel loads, would it be prudent to start with those aswell?
Yes, I would use the Magnum primer as slower powders need and benefit from the brisance of the stronger primers. If you are working to those upper levels you will need to hand weigh, double check yourself, use new brass which will provide you best safety margin.
Just understand all the facts, What guns and how their guns were set up for the testing. If you don't have a CHRONY you will be working blindly. Be sure to collect each casing as shot and make immediate observations looking for anything unusually, take measurements even. The Standard Factory Glock barrel will allow cases to expand to 0.4340" any more and you will start to see a distinct line forming a SMILE.
Cool, thanks for the tips! I do all my loading on a lee hand press and hand weigh each charge anyway so it wouldnt be so different on that front, and I like to examine my cases closely anyway.... sounds like as long I am careful, and CAREFUL on top of that I should be fine! ;D
Now to get more fresh brass, mag primers and some of the heavier slugs to work with.... a project for later if nothing else.
OK, here is some more info and pictures.
I didn't have any 10mm brass, so I used 40S&W brass (nickle). Accuracy was probably diminished because of the shorter brass. This info is only for reference purposes.
Target distance was 10 Yards. Glock 20 with stock barrel shot from a bench/bag rest. Black dot on target is 1" diameter. About the size of a quarter.
(http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1362/13695381/24585439/410045743.jpg)
(http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1362/13695381/24585439/410045738.jpg)
Another great report! Thanks for sharing! 8) You might see an increase in velocities as well as accuracy using the 10mm cases.
Were you using the magnum small pistol primers with the Steel powder loadings?
Quote from: The_Shadow on September 17 2014 12:19:54 PM MDT
Were you using the magnum small pistol primers with the Steel powder loadings?
NO. I was using standard CCI LP primers.
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Well you wrote:
QuoteNO. I was using standard CCI LP primers.
LP meaning Large Pistol, but you also said:
QuoteI didn't have any 10mm brass, so I used 40S&W brass (nickle).
Don't take offense, not trying to, just fact finding, but the 40S&W are small pistol primed! LOL :))
Did the Alliant Steel powder appear to burn cleanly with the standard primer?
Do you think there would be some benefits to using a magnum primer do to Steel being a slower burn rate powder?
Quote from: The_Shadow on September 17 2014 01:21:37 PM MDT
Well you wrote: QuoteNO. I was using standard CCI LP primers.
LP meaning Large Pistol, but you also said: QuoteI didn't have any 10mm brass, so I used 40S&W brass (nickle).
Don't take offense, not trying to, just fact finding, but the 40S&W are small pistol primed! LOL :))
Did the Alliant Steel powder appear to burn cleanly with the standard primer?
Do you think there would be some benefits to using a magnum primer do to Steel being a slower burn rate powder?
OOPS. I was looking at my 10mm brass when I wrote that.
I don't know what primer I used in the 40S&W. I looked at the brass and the primers are nickel plated. I have CCI magnum and standard primers and Federal magnum and standard primers that I could have used in those cases. If I had to take a guess, I would say it was standard CCI primers. I usually save my Federal primers for "match" target loads.
I would thing that using magnum primers might ignite more of the powder and boost velocity a little. I did a test with 38 special 148 wadcutters using both magnum and standard primers with the same powder charge, and there was no difference in velocity between the two primer types. It might be different in a 40/10mm case.
All three tests with STEEL powder shows black carbon on the inside of the case. There is also carbon on the outside on one half of the case. I think this is do to not having enough pressure to seal the case against the chamber, and letting gasses blow past.
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I wonder how much of that seal is being compromised due to the very shallow seating of bullet...
I would guess at least some.
This is very informative, thanks for sharing! This will help oit when I get around to trying my own steel loads....
Are you going to try any heavier slugs?
Quote from: Desolo on September 17 2014 05:23:31 PM MDT
Are you going to try any heavier slugs?
Yes. I will try some of my 210 grain 41 Magnum slugs in real 10mm cases.
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Awesome! I look foreward to seeing your results :D I like the idea of using resized .41 bullets, since they are made for high velocity, may have to invest in a bullet sizer one day.... and maybe a .41 magnum revolver too :))
if you size them down for me, I will be happy to test them out of my 1911/10mm :)