Ive been reloading rifle /handgun for years but just recently tried out a Mec shotshell loader that was part of the used package deal I aquired when I got into reloading.I started with a mild load of WSF and packed them with airsoft plastic bbs, the result is a tube full of mostly unburnt powder, is the payload too light to allow ignition the powder?
12 guage airsoft bb load (DUD)
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rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Yes, it most certainly is.
Without a shot payload in front of the wad, the powder will not burn or generate enough pressure to get the wad out of the barrel sometimes.
That's why you must follow shot shell recipes to the letter to safely reload shot shells.
In other words?
Don't Do That Again!
And double check the barrel for a stuck shot-cup this time.
rc
Without a shot payload in front of the wad, the powder will not burn or generate enough pressure to get the wad out of the barrel sometimes.
That's why you must follow shot shell recipes to the letter to safely reload shot shells.
In other words?
Don't Do That Again!
And double check the barrel for a stuck shot-cup this time.
rc
, Guess I should be looking for a source for rubber buckshot .
Reefinmike
Member
Any reason you are wanting to load up "less than lethal" 12ga loads? In many ways, rubber buck, rubber slugs, beanbags, rock salt etc is an awful awful load to keep in the bedside shotgun. If you're trying to scare off some stray cats or dogs- have at it loading up something less than lethal. When dealing with protecting your own hide... no games 
jr_roosa
Member
If you are using these to chase off vermin, then they sound like fun. I wonder if they would come bouncing back at you at high velocity though if they hit something hard.
On the other hand, using less-lethal rounds for self defense as a civilian is one of those "you sign the check, I'll fill in the zeroes" situations. Any time you use a deadly weapon to defend yourself or somebody else, you must justify that the situation warranted deadly force, and your intent was to stop the attack because of your fear for your life or the life of somebody else. That is an oversimplification, and the specific standard may vary from place to place, but if you use a deadly weapon (shotgun) with less lethal rounds, you open yourself up to the argument that you actually thought lethal force wasn't needed, but you used a deadly weapon anyway. I suppose that a good lawyer could make the argument that all you had at hand were some loads to scare off pest animals, and you used what you could at the time to protect yourself. You might get out of the criminal charges, but when the guy you shot tries to sue you for his chronic pain or his loss of vision or whatever, the risk to you having a devastating financial payout is pretty high. Yikes, I wouldn't want to be in that sort of a bind.
You can buy less lethal rounds as a civilian though, and the reviews describe some reasonable applications. It's still discharge of a firearm, though, which is a problem in most built up neighborhoods.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/47...2-3-4-00-rubber-buckshot-15-pellets-box-of-25
-J.
On the other hand, using less-lethal rounds for self defense as a civilian is one of those "you sign the check, I'll fill in the zeroes" situations. Any time you use a deadly weapon to defend yourself or somebody else, you must justify that the situation warranted deadly force, and your intent was to stop the attack because of your fear for your life or the life of somebody else. That is an oversimplification, and the specific standard may vary from place to place, but if you use a deadly weapon (shotgun) with less lethal rounds, you open yourself up to the argument that you actually thought lethal force wasn't needed, but you used a deadly weapon anyway. I suppose that a good lawyer could make the argument that all you had at hand were some loads to scare off pest animals, and you used what you could at the time to protect yourself. You might get out of the criminal charges, but when the guy you shot tries to sue you for his chronic pain or his loss of vision or whatever, the risk to you having a devastating financial payout is pretty high. Yikes, I wouldn't want to be in that sort of a bind.
You can buy less lethal rounds as a civilian though, and the reviews describe some reasonable applications. It's still discharge of a firearm, though, which is a problem in most built up neighborhoods.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/47...2-3-4-00-rubber-buckshot-15-pellets-box-of-25
-J.
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gamestalker
member
And things can go very wrong if the load is heavier than the published recipe too. Always match your load weight, with the weight the data was tested at. Excessively high pressures will result if you use mis matched data for any cartridge, it makes no difference what cartridge you are loading for, it must be according to the specifics of the data. A different bullet profile is one thing to work around, but using pay loads with data intended for a different projectile weight, and you'll surely experience undesirable results, or even dangerous results.
Play safe, and study your books!
GS
Play safe, and study your books!
GS
The only way you could use the lighter plastic pellets is with a much faster burning powder such as WAALite, Clays or Bullseye. At one time Hercules (Alliant's predecescor) published data for Bullseye powder in 12 ga. and you can find data for WAALite and Clays on Hodgdon's website. I am sure one could develop a load which would eject the plastic shot at safe pressures but I have no specific guidance to offer.
Lost Sheep
Member
I wonder if black powder or the powder used for blanks would work better with the plastic light-weight shot? I have no idea, but perhaps someone does.
The use of sub-lethal ammunition in a lethal weapon opens up the question of the question of the gap between lethal force and lethal weapon. (Probably better suited for the "Legal" forum on this board
http://www.thehighroad.org/forumdisplay.php?f=4
but if the letter of the law refers to use of a firearm, sub-lethal ammunition is probably legal trouble, as jr_roosa posted. Rock salt leaves you open to charges of cruelty, too (to humans or to animals). That is the state of our laws (whether for good or ill is your moral choice).
There are specialized sub-lethal weapons available (sometimes only to law-enforcement or special occupations) such as Tasers and bean-bag guns, etc.
But, like I said, discussing legal issues are for another part of this board (and presupposes assumptions about the purposes of the OP).
Lost Sheep
The use of sub-lethal ammunition in a lethal weapon opens up the question of the question of the gap between lethal force and lethal weapon. (Probably better suited for the "Legal" forum on this board
http://www.thehighroad.org/forumdisplay.php?f=4
but if the letter of the law refers to use of a firearm, sub-lethal ammunition is probably legal trouble, as jr_roosa posted. Rock salt leaves you open to charges of cruelty, too (to humans or to animals). That is the state of our laws (whether for good or ill is your moral choice).
There are specialized sub-lethal weapons available (sometimes only to law-enforcement or special occupations) such as Tasers and bean-bag guns, etc.
But, like I said, discussing legal issues are for another part of this board (and presupposes assumptions about the purposes of the OP).
Lost Sheep
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