homemade shotshells

nedfig · July 31, 2000, 02:29 PM

Is it safe to load BB's into standard game load shells? I thought about uncrimping a few rounds and load BB's, steel ball bearings, rocksalt, fletchett's, rubber balls, bean bags. Will these materials destroy my barrel?

Thanks

**Mike Irwin** · July 31, 2000, 03:24 PM

Maybe, maybe not.

If you appreciably change the payload weight, you can dramatically increase barrel pressures. Shotgun barrels, because they are so thin, are prone to bursting.

BBs can scour the living hell out of your barrel if it's not set up for steel shot.

------------------
Beware the man with the S&W .357 Mag.
Chances are he knows how to use it.

Hueco · July 31, 2000, 09:59 PM

The shotgun has enough different loads available that you do not need to risk a rupture. Don't mess around, buy or reload "standard" ammunition.

Hueco

Dave McC · August 1, 2000, 06:13 AM

Ned, whatinheck will those other rounds do that factory ammo won't? Consider the safety aspect, and then consider what an ambitious or dedicated DA would do in court following a justifed shooting.

The big reason fletchettes haven't made any advances is they do little standard ammo won't.The non lethal stuff may be ineffective is an AS scenario,and also possibly difficult to justify in court.

nedfig · August 1, 2000, 09:59 AM

I think I will just leave the "exotic" loads to the pros.

thanks

MountainGun44 · August 1, 2000, 06:00 PM

What about live bees? Or a single juvenile rattlesnake. That would be a hell of a load.

July 31, 2000, 02:29 PM	#1
nedfig Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2000 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 263	Is it safe to load BB's into standard game load shells? I thought about uncrimping a few rounds and load BB's, steel ball bearings, rocksalt, fletchett's, rubber balls, bean bags. Will these materials destroy my barrel? Thanks

July 31, 2000, 03:24 PM	#2
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,389	Maybe, maybe not. If you appreciably change the payload weight, you can dramatically increase barrel pressures. Shotgun barrels, because they are so thin, are prone to bursting. BBs can scour the living hell out of your barrel if it's not set up for steel shot. ------------------ Beware the man with the S&W .357 Mag. Chances are he knows how to use it.

July 31, 2000, 09:59 PM	#3
Hueco Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 1999 Posts: 561	The shotgun has enough different loads available that you do not need to risk a rupture. Don't mess around, buy or reload "standard" ammunition. Hueco

August 1, 2000, 06:13 AM	#4
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Ned, whatinheck will those other rounds do that factory ammo won't? Consider the safety aspect, and then consider what an ambitious or dedicated DA would do in court following a justifed shooting. The big reason fletchettes haven't made any advances is they do little standard ammo won't.The non lethal stuff may be ineffective is an AS scenario,and also possibly difficult to justify in court.

August 1, 2000, 09:59 AM	#5
nedfig Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2000 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 263	I think I will just leave the "exotic" loads to the pros. thanks

August 1, 2000, 06:00 PM	#6
MountainGun44 Senior Member Join Date: April 26, 2000 Posts: 343	What about live bees? Or a single juvenile rattlesnake. That would be a hell of a load.