Anyone using Alliant STEEL for 357 Mag?

[DRAB_81]

I bought a pound of Alliant STEEL about a year ago, to do some experimenting with 10mm 200gr WFNGC's. MCNETT (Double Tap) posted some impressive data with it, but I wasn't able to get it to ignite consistently.

According to the burn rate chart I looked at, it's just before 2400 & a little slower than AA9. I figure if anything from Blue Dot to 296 works for the 357 Mag, this powder should fit right in.

So back on topic, I have absolutely no other use for it except for lawn fertilizer. I haven't seen any data for it, but are any of you guys loading it in 357 Mag?

[noylj]

Alliant says you'll shot your eye out if you use for anything except steel shotgun loads. They were very adamant when I talked to them.

[DRAB_81]

I think I read one of your old posts saying that. I was hoping it was the same situation as Hodgdon telling everyone that WST is unsafe for 9mm, but no luck.

Well, I guess I'll just sprinkle it on the lawn...

[noylj]

I thought it was an interesting powder for 10mm Auto and others. Never have gotten around to buying any.
I detest all these companies that are segregating their powders into specific niches. I know they are saving money on testing, but some of these powders are in "interesting" niches for many other uses.

056. True Blue (Ramshot)
057. N350 (Vihtavuori)
058. 3N38 (Vihtavuori)
060. Blue Dot (Alliant)
062. N105 (Vihtavuori)
063. No. 9 (Accurate)
064. Enforcer (Ramshot)
066. Steel (Alliant)
067. 2400 (Alliant)
068. N110 (Vihtavuori)
069. Lil Gun (Hodgdon)
071. H110 (Hodgdon)= 296
074. SR-4759 (IMR)

[Fishslayer]

I know they are saving money on testing, but some of these powders are in "interesting" niches for many other uses.

Don't tell Alliant I'm using their Green Dot "Shotshell" powder in my 9mm, .38 Special & .45ACP target loads.

[DRAB_81]

I thought it was an interesting powder for 10mm Auto and others. Never have gotten around to buying any.
I detest all these companies that are segregating their powders into specific niches. I know they are saving money on testing, but some of these powders are in "interesting" niches for many other uses.

056. True Blue (Ramshot)
057. N350 (Vihtavuori)
058. 3N38 (Vihtavuori)
060. Blue Dot (Alliant)
062. N105 (Vihtavuori)
063. No. 9 (Accurate)
064. Enforcer (Ramshot)
066. Steel (Alliant)
067. 2400 (Alliant)
068. N110 (Vihtavuori)
069. Lil Gun (Hodgdon)
071. H110 (Hodgdon)= 296
074. SR-4759 (IMR)

Yeah I thought so too. MCNETT (owner of Double Tap) posted some VERY impressive data for it with 10mm 200gr WFNGC's. I use those for woods backup & hunting, so I dove right in. I started 2gr below his personal max, and got within .5gr of it. That charge damn near filled the case, and the 200gr WFNGC isn't exactly a short bullet. I tried CCI300's, WLP'S & CCI350's. I tried light to HEAVY crimps. He claimed 1400+fps, and I never broke 1125fps out of a 6" barrel. I also had ES's of 100-170fps throughout the whole workup. I wouldn't waste your time or components on this powder in 10mm if I were you.

On a side note, I was able to get those 200gr WFNGC's to average 1416fps with 800X. The brass was a little too stressed at that charge for my liking, so I decided to keep them @ 1360fps.