Cremated ashes in reloaded bullets?

OakleyAnna · April 12, 2013, 03:48 PM

I hope this question isn't too morbid or weird, but someone I loved very much just died. He was an avid shooter, and we had plenty of time to talk before he passed away. He thought it would be awesome if I could put some of his remains into a bullet and shoot him down range. Has anyone ever done this? I don't know if the bullet would even fire, or if it would somehow damage the gun.

I'd have to ask someone to help me, if it was possible, since I don't know how to pack my own ammo. If it's not possible and someone you love was cremated, how did you honor them by doing something firearms related with their remains?

**Spats McGee** · April 12, 2013, 03:54 PM

Well, I don't know exactly how you'd go about it, but I suspect that someone does: http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/...oke/50610712/1

Erno86 · April 12, 2013, 04:09 PM

It's probably easier for the human ashes to be loaded into shotgun shells, instead of pellets, rather than putting ashes in bullets. If you can cap off the ashes in a loaded rifle cartridge, rather than using a bullet...go for it.

It might be dangerous to use a rifle cartridge, if you accidently load a real live round and shoot it off, with the rifle pointed skywards. I would go with the shotgun shell method.

FrosSsT · April 12, 2013, 04:27 PM

I would mix a SMALL amount of ash with the powder.

lamarw · April 12, 2013, 04:33 PM

You do not want to load it with the powder behind the projectile unless you know exactly what you are doing. Any substance added with the powder will decrease volume and increase pressure. Not Good~

I agree with the shotgun approach as part of the projectile load and not part of the power load. If you have ever spread ashes, you know there is considerable amount of dust substance. Therefore, I would make sure the wind is blowing from your back. Not a situation where you want dust blowing back in your face. I assume some particles might travel as far as the shotgun wad.

Jerry45 · April 12, 2013, 04:38 PM

Hollow point bullets. Ash in the hollow, dab of melted wax over the open end and send him down range.

Edited to add. Sometimes I can be a little blunt and cold. OK, a lot blunt and cold most of the time. Sorry for your loss.

dakota.potts · April 12, 2013, 05:32 PM

Yes, it can be done. Spats linked to a relevant company.

Be glad you got the time to talk to him. I hope you're successful in your goal and I hope it brings you some closure. I'm sorry for your loss

Old 454 · April 12, 2013, 06:12 PM

Dont some black powder loads in 45 colt use case fillers, I wonder if the ashes would be a good case filler.

BigD_in_FL · April 12, 2013, 07:34 PM

Another for shotgun shells - it is what I plan on having done to me

rlc323 · April 12, 2013, 07:45 PM

I have seen this done with 12 ga shotshells. Five trapshooters were each given a shell with ashes of their dear deceased shooting buddy. The crowd gathered and removed their caps. The squad took their posts. A few words were said and then on signal they fired him over the trap range. The resulting cloud of ash went a few feet forward upon firing and then drifted slowly to the east for about 50 yards.

It was quite a thing to see and not to be soon forgotten, much like the fellow shooter we lost.

Ozzieman · April 12, 2013, 08:12 PM

If you have a 44 magnum rifle it would be easy to do. Fill a hollow point bullet and wax.
If you reload and have a good drill press you could very carefully drill out the center of a soft point jacket bullet and fill it. Then weigh the bullet and load. 44 mag or 45 LC would be easy to do.

Palmetto-Pride · April 12, 2013, 08:55 PM

Load-em up in some hollow point cavity's like others have mentioned cover with a little wax anyone can do that......

BigD_in_FL · April 12, 2013, 09:27 PM

I want my ashes loaded as filler into regular shells and have my kids/wife/friends shoot a full round of sporting clays

As big as I am, they should have enough ammo for several folks to shoot a whole round of sporting clays!

SHR970 · April 12, 2013, 10:22 PM

First choice would be shotgun shell.

Second choice would be Speer shot capsule for a 38 / 357 or 44 mag.

Third choice would be something like a Corbon DPX hollow point filled and capped with wax or foil soldered in place. DPX's have a generous cavity but currently would be very hard to get due to excessive demand.

Sorry for you loss.

I'm fairly sure you can find someone knowledgeable in your area who can and would help you with your endeavor.

chris in va · April 12, 2013, 11:50 PM

Too bad you don't have a Garand. A blank loaded with ashes and a 21 gun (round?) salute would be fitting.

BumbleBug · April 13, 2013, 12:24 AM

Call these guys, they can help:

http://myholysmoke.com/Facts_and_Pricing_Page.html

Why didn't I think of that?? LOL

...bug

ATPBULLETS · April 13, 2013, 06:43 AM

That is amazing.... i never would have thought of that....

reloader28 · April 13, 2013, 09:51 AM

I would think the Speer shot capsule for pistols would be the easiest and they are cheap.

UncleLoodis · April 13, 2013, 10:25 AM

What an interesting, unique, and awesome way to honor the memory of a good friend! I'll bet he must have had a great sense of humor too.

Sorry for your loss. Take comfort in the fact that you were blessed with having a good friend.

U.L.

Duke City Six · April 13, 2013, 08:39 PM

On a similar note,

Journalist, author and major firearms enthusiast Hunter S. Thompson had his ashes fired out of a cannon at his memorial service in 2005.

I get a kick out of that.

NukemJim · April 14, 2013, 10:30 AM

I participated in a memorial service for a friend where we fired him off in .45 ACP shells to the tune of "Time Warp" from the Rocky Horror Picture Show. We had a line of about 20 people who sang along as we fired him off into the berm of a private club we all belonged to.

I did not load the shells so cannot give technical data, but I can say it can be done. The person who did the loading is EXTREMELY experienced and experimented for a few weeks prior to the event. He did say he used .45 due to case volume.

Please note I do not reload so cannot give any more info.

NukemJim

**Vanya** · April 14, 2013, 01:49 PM

The OP made it clear that she's looking to do this with a small portion of her loved one's ashes, so posts on how to do it with 5# of ashes, or the consistency of same, are off-topic. Thanks.

OakleyAnna · April 14, 2013, 09:56 PM

Thanks to all of you for the input, as well as condolences. Vanya is correct... I just wanted to take a VERY small amount of his remains and put it in a bullet. Someone also gave me a wonderful idea... to make a keychain out of a bullet and put the remains in that. That way I can always have him with me.

Wyoredman · April 16, 2013, 12:54 PM

Ma'am,

A very good friend of mine, who was an avid shooter and rifleman, passed. His son loaded his remains in spent 338 win mag cases. He did not remove the spent primer and sealed the case containing the ashes with a solid crimp to the bullet. He then had each case engraved at the local engraver/jeweler with George's name.

He gave one of these "cartridges" to each of his siblings and a few of his dad's best friends.

I still have mine. George is in his place above my reloading bench and watches over me when I am making ammo.

reloader28 · April 16, 2013, 11:18 PM

Thats a neat idea. I like that.

April 12, 2013, 03:48 PM	#1
OakleyAnna Member Join Date: July 7, 2012 Posts: 19	Cremated ashes in reloaded bullets? I hope this question isn't too morbid or weird, but someone I loved very much just died. He was an avid shooter, and we had plenty of time to talk before he passed away. He thought it would be awesome if I could put some of his remains into a bullet and shoot him down range. Has anyone ever done this? I don't know if the bullet would even fire, or if it would somehow damage the gun. I'd have to ask someone to help me, if it was possible, since I don't know how to pack my own ammo. If it's not possible and someone you love was cremated, how did you honor them by doing something firearms related with their remains? Last edited by Vanya; April 12, 2013 at 04:05 PM. Reason: changed title

April 12, 2013, 03:54 PM	#2
Spats McGee Staff Join Date: July 28, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 5,346	Well, I don't know exactly how you'd go about it, but I suspect that someone does: http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/...oke/50610712/1 __________________ A gunfight is not the time to learn new skills. If you ever have a real need for more than a couple of magazines, your problem is not a shortage of magazines. It's a shortage of people on your side of the argument. -- Art Eatman

April 12, 2013, 04:09 PM	#3
Erno86 Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2012 Location: Marriottsville, Maryland Posts: 694	It's probably easier for the human ashes to be loaded into shotgun shells, instead of pellets, rather than putting ashes in bullets. If you can cap off the ashes in a loaded rifle cartridge, rather than using a bullet...go for it. It might be dangerous to use a rifle cartridge, if you accidently load a real live round and shoot it off, with the rifle pointed skywards. I would go with the shotgun shell method. __________________ That rifle hanging on the wall of the working class flat or labourer's cottage is the symbol of democracy. It is our job to see that it stays there." --- George Orwell

April 12, 2013, 04:38 PM	#6
Jerry45 Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2000 Location: Metairie, Louisiana Posts: 890	Hollow point bullets. Ash in the hollow, dab of melted wax over the open end and send him down range. Edited to add. Sometimes I can be a little blunt and cold. OK, a lot blunt and cold most of the time. Sorry for your loss. __________________ Guns are not dangerous! People are! RKBA! Last edited by Jerry45; April 12, 2013 at 05:52 PM.

April 12, 2013, 06:12 PM	#8
Old 454 Senior Member Join Date: August 15, 2011 Location: Chesterton Ind. Posts: 397	Black Powder Dont some black powder loads in 45 colt use case fillers, I wonder if the ashes would be a good case filler. Last edited by Old 454; April 12, 2013 at 06:40 PM.

April 12, 2013, 04:27 PM	#4
FrosSsT Senior Member Join Date: July 17, 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 583	I would mix a SMALL amount of ash with the powder.

April 12, 2013, 04:33 PM	#5
lamarw Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2010 Location: Lake Martin, AL Posts: 2,032	You do not want to load it with the powder behind the projectile unless you know exactly what you are doing. Any substance added with the powder will decrease volume and increase pressure. Not Good~ I agree with the shotgun approach as part of the projectile load and not part of the power load. If you have ever spread ashes, you know there is considerable amount of dust substance. Therefore, I would make sure the wind is blowing from your back. Not a situation where you want dust blowing back in your face. I assume some particles might travel as far as the shotgun wad.

April 12, 2013, 05:32 PM	#7
dakota.potts Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2013 Location: Saint Augustine, Florida Posts: 1,322	Yes, it can be done. Spats linked to a relevant company. Be glad you got the time to talk to him. I hope you're successful in your goal and I hope it brings you some closure. I'm sorry for your loss

April 12, 2013, 07:34 PM	#9
BigD_in_FL Junior member Join Date: December 20, 2012 Location: The "Gunshine State" Posts: 1,981	Another for shotgun shells - it is what I plan on having done to me

April 12, 2013, 07:45 PM	#10
rlc323 Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2013 Location: Forgottonia, Il Posts: 217	I have seen this done with 12 ga shotshells. Five trapshooters were each given a shell with ashes of their dear deceased shooting buddy. The crowd gathered and removed their caps. The squad took their posts. A few words were said and then on signal they fired him over the trap range. The resulting cloud of ash went a few feet forward upon firing and then drifted slowly to the east for about 50 yards. It was quite a thing to see and not to be soon forgotten, much like the fellow shooter we lost.

April 12, 2013, 08:12 PM	#11
Ozzieman Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 5,097	If you have a 44 magnum rifle it would be easy to do. Fill a hollow point bullet and wax. If you reload and have a good drill press you could very carefully drill out the center of a soft point jacket bullet and fill it. Then weigh the bullet and load. 44 mag or 45 LC would be easy to do. __________________ “Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading.” – Thomas Jefferson. Politician's are like diapers. You need to change them often,,,,, for the same reason!

April 12, 2013, 08:55 PM	#12
Palmetto-Pride Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2009 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 1,928	Load-em up in some hollow point cavity's like others have mentioned cover with a little wax anyone can do that...... __________________ “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.” -Margaret Thatcher-

April 12, 2013, 09:27 PM	#13
BigD_in_FL Junior member Join Date: December 20, 2012 Location: The "Gunshine State" Posts: 1,981	I want my ashes loaded as filler into regular shells and have my kids/wife/friends shoot a full round of sporting clays As big as I am, they should have enough ammo for several folks to shoot a whole round of sporting clays!

April 12, 2013, 10:22 PM	#14
SHR970 Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2011 Posts: 589	First choice would be shotgun shell. Second choice would be Speer shot capsule for a 38 / 357 or 44 mag. Third choice would be something like a Corbon DPX hollow point filled and capped with wax or foil soldered in place. DPX's have a generous cavity but currently would be very hard to get due to excessive demand. Sorry for you loss. I'm fairly sure you can find someone knowledgeable in your area who can and would help you with your endeavor.

April 12, 2013, 11:50 PM	#15
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 12,822	Too bad you don't have a Garand. A blank loaded with ashes and a 21 gun (round?) salute would be fitting.

April 13, 2013, 12:24 AM	#16
BumbleBug Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2013 Location: Near Heart of Texas Posts: 586	My Holy Smoke... Call these guys, they can help: http://myholysmoke.com/Facts_and_Pricing_Page.html Why didn't I think of that?? LOL ...bug

April 13, 2013, 06:43 AM	#17
ATPBULLETS Senior Member Join Date: July 31, 2012 Location: Land between the Lakes Posts: 244	That is amazing.... i never would have thought of that.... __________________ http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/y...e/photo-25.jpg

April 13, 2013, 09:51 AM	#18
reloader28 Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2009 Location: nw wyoming Posts: 968	I would think the Speer shot capsule for pistols would be the easiest and they are cheap.

April 13, 2013, 10:25 AM	#19
UncleLoodis Member Join Date: June 28, 2011 Location: Oregon Posts: 94	Interesting... What an interesting, unique, and awesome way to honor the memory of a good friend! I'll bet he must have had a great sense of humor too. Sorry for your loss. Take comfort in the fact that you were blessed with having a good friend. U.L.

April 13, 2013, 08:39 PM	#20
Duke City Six Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2010 Location: New Mexico Posts: 295	On a similar note, Journalist, author and major firearms enthusiast Hunter S. Thompson had his ashes fired out of a cannon at his memorial service in 2005. I get a kick out of that. Last edited by Duke City Six; April 14, 2013 at 11:49 PM.

April 14, 2013, 10:30 AM	#21
NukemJim Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2002 Posts: 280	I participated in a memorial service for a friend where we fired him off in .45 ACP shells to the tune of "Time Warp" from the Rocky Horror Picture Show. We had a line of about 20 people who sang along as we fired him off into the berm of a private club we all belonged to. I did not load the shells so cannot give technical data, but I can say it can be done. The person who did the loading is EXTREMELY experienced and experimented for a few weeks prior to the event. He did say he used .45 due to case volume. Please note I do not reload so cannot give any more info. NukemJim __________________ "Half of being smart is knowing what you are dumb at" "Guns shoot bullets. People shoot people."

April 14, 2013, 01:49 PM	#22
Vanya Staff Join Date: July 7, 2008 Location: Upper midwest Posts: 4,172	The OP made it clear that she's looking to do this with a small portion of her loved one's ashes, so posts on how to do it with 5# of ashes, or the consistency of same, are off-topic. Thanks. __________________ "Once the writer in every individual comes to life (and that time is not far off), we are in for an age of universal deafness and lack of understanding." (Milan Kundera, Book of Laughter and Forgetting, 1980)

April 14, 2013, 09:56 PM	#23
OakleyAnna Member Join Date: July 7, 2012 Posts: 19	Thanks to all of you for the input, as well as condolences. Vanya is correct... I just wanted to take a VERY small amount of his remains and put it in a bullet. Someone also gave me a wonderful idea... to make a keychain out of a bullet and put the remains in that. That way I can always have him with me.

April 16, 2013, 12:54 PM	#24
Wyoredman Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2011 Location: Wyoming Posts: 1,284	Ma'am, A very good friend of mine, who was an avid shooter and rifleman, passed. His son loaded his remains in spent 338 win mag cases. He did not remove the spent primer and sealed the case containing the ashes with a solid crimp to the bullet. He then had each case engraved at the local engraver/jeweler with George's name. He gave one of these "cartridges" to each of his siblings and a few of his dad's best friends. I still have mine. George is in his place above my reloading bench and watches over me when I am making ammo. __________________ Go Pokes! Go Rams!

April 16, 2013, 11:18 PM	#25
reloader28 Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2009 Location: nw wyoming Posts: 968	Thats a neat idea. I like that.