Thread: Falcon Steel Claimed Speeds

I’ve always been intrigued by the speeds claimed on the box of Falcon Ultra Steel ammunition.

2 3/4” 32gr HV steel 1450fps
2 3/4” 35gr Ultra steel 1460fps (10 fps faster then the lighter load?)
3” 36gr Super steel 1450fps (10 fps slower the the 2 3/4” ultra steel?)

I’ve always wondered how the ultra steel gets 1460fps in the 2 3/4” shell with a 35gr payload. Faster then the lighter HV steel load and faster then the 3” super steel load that should have more powder.

Has anyone ever put these past a chrony or something to verify the claimed speeds? My gut feel is the ultra steel is overstated but it would be interesting to know!

And now we being told that larger 36 GRN payload at 1400 fps is the ducks nuts...... I give up so just load whatever is right pellet size then go poke holes in the sky.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

And now we being told that larger 36 GRN payload at 1400 fps is the ducks nuts...... I give up so just load whatever is right pellet size then go poke holes in the sky.

If it goes bang and sends steel in the right direction I'm happy haha.

@stagstalker there was a good write up by Greg Duley on this subject. I believe it was on the old forum, searched but couldn't find the article. Brief overview, the ultrasteel had higher pressures when tested which lead to the patterns being not quite as good as the 3inch 1 1/4 loads. He seemed to compare the 3 inch 36gm loads favorably to his favorite load the federal 3 inch 36gm 3's. I belive the velocity was in the ball park of high 1300's fps.

Originally Posted by mawzer308

@stagstalker there was a good write up by Greg Duley on this subject. I believe it was on the old forum, searched but couldn't find the article. Brief overview, the ultrasteel had higher pressures when tested which lead to the patterns being not quite as good as the 3inch 1 1/4 loads. He seemed to compare the 3 inch 36gm loads favorably to his favorite load the federal 3 inch 36gm 3's. I belive the velocity was in the ball park of high 1300's fps.

I thought I recalled him doing a write up on it. Would be bloody good to have another read.

There is one in the latest fish n game magazine by Greg Duley...it's a good read.as enough time has past that maybe we now "know" rather than "best guess" what works.

I haven't put any of those loads through the chronograph, but a few years back I put through 4 different loads. Eley lightning steel, Remington nitro steel, kent fasteel and one other that I can't remember. What I found was that the more $$$ you pay the closer the velocities were to what the manufacturer claimed and also the variations in velocities over several rounds of the same brand were closer together. Eley lightning steel was the worst, it's velocities were all over the place and nowhere near the speed they claimed. They were actually the slowest out of all of them but claimed the highest velocity. There's a guy on YouTube that's called "surviving duck season" he done a nine part series on everything about guns, ammo and chokes and it's pretty comprehensive. Definitely an eye opener and worth the watch.

All shot from a 26" barrel 11-87 a long time ago.
Falcon 2&3/4 - 35g 1286fps
Falcon 3" -36 1283fps
B&P 2&3/4" -36 1259FPS
RIO 2&3/4" -;32 1162FPS
WIN 3" - 36 1348FPS
KENT 3" -32 1514FPS
ELEY 3" -32 1214FPS
Bit of an over view of the loads of the day.
Speed at all costs is not the best way to harvest ducks.
A good pattern at a good speed will beat it all day long.
After years of poor advice from H&F and F&G about big pellets at crazy speeds all the successful duck hunters around here use Falcon 2&3/4" 35g #4

Any technical questions about Falcon ammunition can be directed to the contact email address on their website.

I was interested in the Falcon Buckshot 19-ball load. Got some great information from the factory guy and now use it on goats with good results.

After reading this, I am wondering what is the terminal velocity for steel shot that size? I understand the theory but not the math....Its not that aerodynamic so it may be a case of as it approaches its terminal velocity then more "push' from larger powder charges will not gain much if anything at all. If it exceeds it terminal velocity in the barrel where it is effectively packed densely, then once it hits atmosphere, it will fall to its terminal velocity pretty promptly. Google is saying it is closer to 200fps which means it will be like throwing polystyrene....will slow down very fast but in real world applications I dont know how this will happen.

@timattalon you've hit the nail on the head. The faster you push something, the faster it decelerates. Particularly if it is as light as steel and un-aerodynamical in shape. So the muzzle velocity should only be a guide. The real value would be to know what the velocity is at 40 yards.

So if you push a lighter load like a 32 gram load faster because it's lighter versus a 36 gram load which starts slower because it's heavier, then at 40 yards there's such a small difference in velocity. So for cleaner more consistent kills you are better off with the 36 gram load to get a better pattern density as the difference in velocity is negligible. Pretty much more pellets on the target will be a bigger gain than 50fps at 40 yards from the muzzle.

It's chronographed at factory using their test barrel so the figures accurate but will naturally vary from gun to gun and with barrel length. Practically speaking muzzle velocity speeds above the speed of sound bleed off velocity due to aerodynamic drag in the first 25 or 30 metres and once subsonic remain pretty constant over the shots effective range. As Brad says pattern density is more important than initial speed. Lead holds "speed" better as it's 30% heavier than steel

I would be intrested to know what the real world velocity people are getting out of the Falcon steel target loads is.
At this morning clay bird shoot a few of use where discussing this very subject as we have issues with it cycle in multiple different semiautomatics that have no trouble with anything else.

I know peteD asked for steel load speeds but i have never shot them.
B&P comp 2000 28gr 1338fps
Falcon Olympic 28gr 1245fps
Mirage 24gr 1302fps
Saga 28gr 1144fps
Falcon club 28gr 1147fps
RC1 28gr 1225fps
Mirage pro extra 28gr 1243fps
Nowadays with the self regulating gas systems all loads should cycle. My big A400 3.5" goose gun will cycle subsonic fine

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

There is one in the latest fish n game magazine by Greg Duley...it's a good read.as enough time has past that maybe we now "know" rather than "best guess" what works.

That was a bloody good read MD. https://782c075b.flowpaper.com/FGIssue60WEB/#page=26