Blanks reloads

[Joe Bob]

Anyone ever reload blanks? I'd like to do some .38s as I'm a track starter. I mostly use .22s but every once in awhile I'm hired to do meets that need a larger caliber. At .30 to .50 a round for factory loads it get expensive.

Any suggestions on powder, wads and or crimp dies are appreciated.

[Jim Bremner]

I have some .308 if you want them! free!

[Joe Bob]

Found a company that makes a die. It ends up looking like this.....crimped on the end.

But 78 bucks...ouch.



www.ch4d.com

[Joe Bob]

Originally Posted by Jim Bremner

I have some .308 if you want them! free!

Isn't .308 a rifle round?

BTW, I would think hunt dog trainers would be into relaoding blanks....anyone a dog trainer?

[Jim Bremner]

why yes, .308 is a rifle round.

now you have a reason to step out and grab a rifle...it's chick math. Hey Honny, someone gave me 12 .308 blank rounds, I need a ( insert main battle riffle name here )

See what I did here? I just got you permision for a new TOY! FTW! now get me a beer!

[3.2 CAB]

You could probably pick up a Lee Loader to hand roll yourself some blanks. It would be slow as hell, being that particular loader only does everything manually by hand, no press, only a bench top/table top a couple of wrenches, etc. A very long drawn out process, but... very low cost. I don't think that I like reloading enough to ever really depend on just that particular style of reloading system. I know that some will load 3-4grns of Bullseye, with a bit of wadding/packing pressed in, to hold the powder charge in place, then top it off with a thicker fiber wad or wax shell plug. Those cheap, plastic .38 blanks are starting to look like a pretty good deal. Tony.

[Drdogface]

I don't know how well this following method works with smokeless powder but I used to reload Black Powder blanks this way for Cowboy fast draw competition. Take an empty case and cut discs out of a styrofoam paper plate...make sure all discs are complete with no notches in the perimeter. Prime your cases and add, say, 2 gr of whatever smokeless powder you choose and seal it with a styrofoam disc. The foam should burn or just blow apart upon firing but always fire up in the air anyway.

I used either real BP or a BP substitute like Triple Seven and loaded about 1/3 of a case of powder. Makes a nice big boom. The Triple Seven residue is easy to clean out of the pistol with Green Windex or mild soapy water. It should work fine for your purpose.

[Joe Bob]

Did you roll the edges of the case after inserting the styrofoam?

[Drdogface]

I never did that but not a bad idea, especially if the foam is too loose in the case.

To avoid any looseness of the foam disc I would slightly 'bell/expand' your disc cutting case to produce a slightly larger disc which will fit down into the case and on top of the powder charge snugly and not want to fall out.

What I ended up doing most often is only slightly different. Since BP will compress (and smokeless won't) I would put my powder charge of 2F black powder into the case and place a small wad of Kleenex or TP over the charge and compress it all with a dowel stick. The BP will compress into a lump and the tissue will prevent any grains/dust from spilling out. I doubt this will work with smokeless since it won't compress like BP.

[cgarr]

Did you ever try just popping off a primer? I used to load just primers to pop the rabbits in the back yard.

[Joe Bob]

I actually USE Black Powder. The timers at the finish line go off the smoke if the Automatic Timer fails to start from the report of the gun.

[Drdogface]

Originally Posted by mikez

I actually USE Black Powder. The timers at the finish line go off the smoke if the Automatic Timer fails to start from the report of the gun.

Well, Mike, you are all set then. I'd use the tissue paper method and experiment with the powder charge to get the loudness you want. I loaded 44 spcl for my competition but 38's should work fine. Compress the powder/tissue pretty hard to get the powder to compress into a wad or pellet. Use a wooden dowel rod just slightly smaller than case mouth diameter.

Keep in mind that these 'blanks' are damn dangerous if pointed at anyone close range. For example, aim the pistol at an empty soda can at five to eight feet and watch what the concussion does. ! I expect you know that already.

[Drdogface]

Originally Posted by cgarr

Did you ever try just popping off a primer? I used to load just primers to pop the rabbits in the back yard.

I think he wants something louder than a 22 blank which he's been using. One could get cases that are modified to accept shotgun primers though.

[Joe Bob]

I use a .357 Smith and Wesson. Large caliber starter pistols are junk. They are clunky and you would expect them to blow up in your hand....

They also redirect the sound down at the starter and can cause hearing loss and headaches even with protection such as ear muffs and plugs. Open barrels are the starter's choice.

[Drdogface]

Originally Posted by mikez

I use a .357 Smith and Wesson. Large caliber starter pistols are junk. They are clunky and you would expect them to blow up in your hand....

They also redirect the sound down at the starter and can cause hearing loss and headaches even with protection such as ear muffs and plugs. Open barrels are the starter's choice.

Let me know how method this works for you. Your pistol sounds ideal

[Joe Bob]

For the starter that has everything....factory blanks in a speed loader....

[vash]

wow. you can use a real piece as a track starter pistol? dang, i thought it needed to be red or something obvious.

[Joe Bob]

As long as it's not concealed, weapons are transported in a locked case, we have a contract with the school to be there, and no live rounds....we are cool.

[3.2 CAB]

Looks like a mod.66, carried a round-butt as back-up for a few years. Tony.