by snag » 11 May 2020, 8:20 pm
Hey TassieTiger, you want a redneck solution, then here it is. The snag family recipe for bird-scarer rounds-
1. Get a sharp Stanley knife and cut your 12g cartridge about half way round just below where the crimp indent finishes.
2. Stick a small flat screwdriver into the cut, turn 90 degrees and tip all the shot out of the cartridge (shake it around a bit to make sure it's all out).
3. Refill the hull with dehydrated peas - NOT split peas meant for soup, rather the ones called "surprise peas" in the little foil packet.
4. Massage the split in the case back to normal shape and wipe it with a cotton bud soaked in super glue.
Not a true "blank" but does no damage at normal ranges and gives the full 12g noise.
Why dried peas I hear you all ask?
Well, I don't know the physics, but every other filler we tried would either carry through and shred leafs and do damage, or would spray burning embers in it's wake. The dried peas shatter into dust and don't burn.
As you know, would still be lethal at short range ( as are blanks).
Only drawback is, every time I've shot one I really feel like some pea and ham soup ....
The pen may be mightier than the sword, but personally I prefer the .30/30 Winchester.