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Making safe blank cartridges?

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Shamu View Drop Down
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    Posted: August 29 2007 at 1:06am
Sorry if this has been covered already.
Does anyone have a "load" for making .303 blanks from fired brass?
I used to make them with black powder & a soap wedge to seal the neck, but I'm wondering if there's a smokless (read non-corrosive) alternative.
 
Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Smokey Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 29 2007 at 6:13am
I use about 15gr Unique and a regular cotton ball. Sounds like a regular rifle round (and it's dangerous out to maybe 10 yd.).
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tony Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 29 2007 at 6:41pm
Unless you want to kill somebody or shag a bore up use beeswax to plug the cartridge .
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 30 2007 at 12:01am
Smokey, do you use any filler to take up the empty space in the case?
 
Tony, thanks for the beeswax tip, I'd never have thought of that. it's proably better than soap.
 
 
Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Cookie Monster Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 30 2007 at 5:04am
Originally posted by Tony Tony wrote:

Unless you want to kill somebody or shag a bore up use beeswax to plug the cartridge .
 
Tony,
    I use Bees Wax or Candle wax. I just stick the end of the case in the wax give a little twist, presto. leave a small hole the size of the case end.
 
CM
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Cookie Monster Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 30 2007 at 6:55am
Originally posted by Smokey Smokey wrote:

I use about 15gr Unique and a 1.5 inch length of 5/16 wood dowel. Sounds like a regular rifle round (and it's dangerous out to maybe 50 yd.).
The dowel travels 100 yd at the most.
 
 
What!!!!! That is no blank that is a projectile. And should be considered as such not a blank. The wood could also cause a pressure issue and destroy the rifle and injure or kill bystanders. There is loadings designed just for blanks and has the exact methods in which they should be loaded, and require the same respect given to loading projectiles.
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tony Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 30 2007 at 7:03am
There was a section a short while ago about Japs using wooden bullets during WW2 . Obviously somebody didn't read it or take in the information therin.  Anybody gets hit with a wooden plug/bullet the surgeon is going to have a hell of a job clearing up the mess. There have been "accidents " with commercially produced blanks resutlting in fatalities. We have has 1 near squeak on the forum I think thats enough don't you?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Smokey Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 30 2007 at 7:05am
Cookie Monster, it is a projectile, with very short range.
A true blank is also dangerous at short range.
People should be careful with both.
 
Unique is a medium-burning pistol powder, it needs something for compression to burn properly. I've used a cotton ball stuffed into the case over Unique. That usually works well.
The only time I fire a blank (up in the air) is to silence the midnight wolf chorus.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tony Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 30 2007 at 7:11am
Well stick to cotton balls ! Beginners on here read and try these things!! 1 near squeak with the reloading is enough we don't need another!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Cookie Monster Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 30 2007 at 7:22am

Everyone.

     Please exercise extreme caution when loading and always use recommend and proven methods. Smokey is correct blanks can be lethal. And a rifle, pistol or any type of firearm should NEVER!!! be aimed or pointed at any object that you do not wish to shoot or kill.

     If someone should read these posts and try an unsafe action not only would the author feel remorse but there could also be legal actions taken. So please take care when posting!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 30 2007 at 7:33am
I am an experienced, and safe reloader. So I can't do anything but endorse any warnings regarding any reloading practice, for not only the safety of the reloader, but of anyone else involved in any form of shooting sport.
 
I've created, and worked up real projectile loads in a number of calibers and done so safely. I intend to applyy the same methodical, safe approach to reloading blanks also.
 
If it makes any difference I'm not going to be re enacting with these loads. because of this I'm not trying to duplicate any particular efect. They will be used (if ever) for emergency signalling & the like. I'm just looking for a loud BANG with a reduced risk to anyone else out there should I ever need to do a safety alert using a rifle.
 
As a responsible gun owner I would never ever break the first 2 rules of firearms safety.
Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hoadie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 31 2007 at 4:19am
The only legitimate use for a dowel in ANY firearm-I've ever seen is by police for riot control.Its a MODIFIED shotgun using a MODIFIED charge.The wooden dowel is shot into the pavement in front of the rioters to skip off the ground & hit the perps legs.It requires a SPECIALLY TRAINED officer, & has been VERY limited in its acceptance by police, due to the potential for serious injury.
Further - any re-enactor (WWI/WWII) found overcharging or inserting ANYTHING into his blanks, would be IMMEDIAtly turned into the authorities & CHARGED!!(That would include wood, cotton etc).
Just my 2 pence
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 31 2007 at 7:07am
Look folks. I'm definately not encouraging, or reccomending any unsafe loading or gun handling practices here, just asking for some information on fabricating a usable blank for emergency signalling purposes.
 
I don't know how better to explain this than to say (again) I have absolutely zero intention of using any blank I make in anything other than a safe & responsible way.
 
If that's causing so much dissention then please excuse me I'll just withdraw (delete) the post to prevent any possibility of causing any kind of accident by either unsaffe reloading, or gun handling practices.
 
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Smokey Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 31 2007 at 7:25am
Factory blanks are made with an extremely fast burning powder, I do not know what it is. A charge of pistol powder works with something to hold it in the case.
Don't worry about the previous discussion. Safety is most important, and it never hurts to remind people (including me). Smile
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 31 2007 at 8:34am
Gotcha with the fast burning pistol powder in a reduced charge.
Do you need to use a filler like dacron to hold the powder to the rear of the case, as you would with a light load in a a regular cartridge?
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 31 2007 at 8:36am
"I just stick the end of the case in the wax give a little twist, presto. leave a small hole the size of the case end."
That's exactly the technique I was using with soap.
Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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