Steel ballistic shot and production method

Abstract

A relatively high carbon, water-atomized, steel shot is softened via annealing to render it suitable for ballistic use. The annealing preferably includes decarburization from a surface layer or throughout and preferably provides the shot with a surface Knoop hardness of less than 250.

1 .- 19 . (canceled)  
     
     
         20 . A method for manufacturing a shotshell comprising: 
 obtaining a plurality of shot pellets formed by casting of molten steel and a subsequent annealing process; and    loading said plurality of shot pellets into a shotshell which further comprises: 
 a hull;  
 a propellant charge in a powder chamber within the hull;  
 a primer carried within a base of the hull; and  
 wadding between the propellant charge and the plurality of shot pellets.  
   
     
     
         21 . The method of claim  0  wherein: 
 the plurality of shot pellets are formed by water atomization of molten steel and a subsequent carbon removal process, on average leaving such pellets with a surface Knoop hardness of less than 250 at 21° C.  
 
     
     
         22 . The method of claim  0  wherein the pellets have a composition by weight of 
 0.85-1.2% carbon;  
 0.4-1.2% manganese;  
 0.4-1.5% silicon; and  
 remainder iron with up to 1% additional components.  
 
     
     
         23 . The method of claim  0  wherein the annealing is effective to provide the pellets with a surface hardness of less than 325 DPH.  
     
     
         24 . The method of claim  0  wherein the pellets have a composition by weight of: 
 0% to 1.5% carbon;  
 0.1% to 2.0% silicon;  
 0.4% to 2.0% manganese;  
 no more than about 3% additional material; and  
 balance iron.  
 
     
     
         25 . The method of claim  0  wherein: 
 the pellets have a silicon content from 0.40% to 1.50% by weight.  
 
     
     
         26 . The method of claim  0  wherein: 
 the pellets have a silicon content from 0.8% to 1.2% by weight: and the pellets have a manganese content from 0.5% to 1.2% by weight.  
 
     
     
         27 . The method of claim  0  wherein: 
 the pellets have a carbon content from about 0.01% to about 0.15% by weight.  
 
     
     
         28 . The method of claim  0  wherein the pellets have a combined silicon and manganese content of at least 0.8% by weight.  
     
     
         29 - 35 . (canceled)