cut a pellet?

lara · October 30, 2009, 10:11 PM

Has anyone out there ever cut a pyrodex pellet in half or thirds?I'm just wondering if it would be possible without igniting the pellet.Just tinkering mentally....

mykeal · October 30, 2009, 10:28 PM

Cutting it will not ignite it. You need 700 degrees of hot gasses or sparks to ignite it.

However, I'd be surprised if it held together after cutting.

simonkenton · October 31, 2009, 06:33 AM

Chinese scientists have figured a solution for you, eight hundred years ago.

Loose gunpowder.

shortwave · October 31, 2009, 07:47 AM

, thanks simon. I needed that this morning

.

Hafoc · October 31, 2009, 10:45 AM

(snerk) You know, Simon, what you said had me visualizing some guy crushing up his Pyrodex pellets to make a loose powder, and then going out to try to patent this wonderful new invention. And with some black powder shooters only using the ultra-modern inline stuff with pellets and sabots, and then only because it gives them another deer season-- not because of any interest in black powder or historical arms as such-- I bet it could happen.

Wild Bill Bucks · November 2, 2009, 12:50 PM

lara,

trying to adjust a pellet by cutting it won't give you any idea about what your actually shooting, since the pellets are 50 grain equivalents, and not really 50 grains by volume. Check your pellets on a weight scale, and you will see the terrible difference in them. Loose powder is the only way to make adjustments in the loads that will be accurate.

If you want to play with pellets you can by pellets in the 30 grain loads and add one with a 50 grain pellet, to get 80 grains, and so forth.

arcticap · November 3, 2009, 12:27 AM

Pyrodex pellets have a coating of black powder on one side to help them ignite. The pellet might not explode due to a simple spark but it could still be hazardous.
Maybe one shouldn't cut a pellet on a surface that sparks and wear eye protection due to flying particles.

lara · November 3, 2009, 09:00 AM

Thanks Simon.I live about 35 miles from the nearest store that might have 30's(I doubt it)and I understand you have to pay a hazardous fee for shipping if you buy online.One of my former jobs was one of two techs working in Redfield Scopes R & D division(new products)in Denver because I have tool and die experience.I think I could cut a 50 pellet in half (I have some of those)safely.I was just wanting to know if anyone had tried it.The chinese weren't known for shooting deer and I'd like to try something a little different.

October 30, 2009, 10:11 PM	#1
lara Member Join Date: October 29, 2009 Location: southern utah Posts: 39	cut a pellet? Has anyone out there ever cut a pyrodex pellet in half or thirds?I'm just wondering if it would be possible without igniting the pellet.Just tinkering mentally....

October 31, 2009, 07:47 AM	#4
shortwave Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2007 Location: SOUTHEAST, OHIO Posts: 5,970	, thanks simon. I needed that this morning.

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October 30, 2009, 10:28 PM	#2
mykeal Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 2,772	Cutting it will not ignite it. You need 700 degrees of hot gasses or sparks to ignite it. However, I'd be surprised if it held together after cutting.

October 31, 2009, 06:33 AM	#3
simonkenton Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2008 Posts: 891	Chinese scientists have figured a solution for you, eight hundred years ago. Loose gunpowder.

October 31, 2009, 10:45 AM	#5
Hafoc Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 2005 Posts: 552	(snerk) You know, Simon, what you said had me visualizing some guy crushing up his Pyrodex pellets to make a loose powder, and then going out to try to patent this wonderful new invention. And with some black powder shooters only using the ultra-modern inline stuff with pellets and sabots, and then only because it gives them another deer season-- not because of any interest in black powder or historical arms as such-- I bet it could happen.

November 2, 2009, 12:50 PM	#6
Wild Bill Bucks Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2005 Location: Southeastern Oklahoma, Next door to Sasquatch Posts: 1,266	lara, trying to adjust a pellet by cutting it won't give you any idea about what your actually shooting, since the pellets are 50 grain equivalents, and not really 50 grains by volume. Check your pellets on a weight scale, and you will see the terrible difference in them. Loose powder is the only way to make adjustments in the loads that will be accurate. If you want to play with pellets you can by pellets in the 30 grain loads and add one with a 50 grain pellet, to get 80 grains, and so forth.

November 3, 2009, 12:27 AM	#7
arcticap Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2005 Location: Central Connecticut Posts: 3,166	Pyrodex pellets have a coating of black powder on one side to help them ignite. The pellet might not explode due to a simple spark but it could still be hazardous. Maybe one shouldn't cut a pellet on a surface that sparks and wear eye protection due to flying particles.

November 3, 2009, 09:00 AM	#8
lara Member Join Date: October 29, 2009 Location: southern utah Posts: 39	Thanks Simon.I live about 35 miles from the nearest store that might have 30's(I doubt it)and I understand you have to pay a hazardous fee for shipping if you buy online.One of my former jobs was one of two techs working in Redfield Scopes R & D division(new products)in Denver because I have tool and die experience.I think I could cut a 50 pellet in half (I have some of those)safely.I was just wanting to know if anyone had tried it.The chinese weren't known for shooting deer and I'd like to try something a little different.