12g blanks - how to crimp ?

[TassieTiger]

I have need to make a small batch of empty 12g rounds.
I do not have any 12g reloading equipment. I do reload centres up to 300wm and 45/70.

Is there a redneck way to crimp / water seal the 12g ends once the Cartridge has been opened and the shot has been removed? I’ve seen the inserts that go into a 12g reload press, kind of a knurled knuckle - can those inserts be used on a hand press or locking pliers or ? I only need to make about 4 to 6 of these for an experiment.

[Ziege]

If you're intent on making blanks just remember no matter what they still can't be fired toward anyone, don't think I need to tell ya that but yeah yunno.... Never done it myself and have a press so wouldn't have an issue doing it, but maybe leave the case full length and was it with some card and wax? Give that a bash, but don't exceed normal powder loads just incase

[TassieTiger]

No messing with the load, I’m just clipping open the top, removing the lead and wad and resealing.

Mate - I didnt play paint ball for a long long time, because I was bought up to not point a gun at anyone...so, yeah - not a consideration.

I was hoping there was an insert or similar that could be used in a press...

[Ziege]

Could possibly just wad it up with some fun y paper.... remember the old grandfather (Rip) used to load his little brass cannon and chock up the muzzle with some s**t paper to get a bang out of smokeless powder. But yeah, don't choke it up so much you damage the barrel, just enough to retard the powder enough to make it go bang. That or leave wads in and plug it up a bit.

[Oldbloke]

Umm, powder may not burn clean, due to not enough resistance/pressure build up.

Why not remove every thing and just use a primer, pretty loud on there own.. less hassle too.

[No1Mk3]

G'day Tassie Tiger,
I seal brass shotshell with a stiff cardboard wad held in with PVA glue around the edge. I used this on plastic shells also until I learned to roll crimp on a drill press, but now I have a proper roll crimp tool for the drill. You may find leaving the wad in your blank to help proper ignition, Cheers.
PS: Just edited, I use PVA, also known as Elmers Glue in the US, not PVC

[TassieTiger]

Cheers no1 - good idea with wad. Will help better water proof as well. These aren’t going to be used in a chamber and may sit a while.

[trekin]

Just remember that spring guns/trip guns are illegal in all States and Territories (except QLD).

[TassieTiger]

Agreed. No worry there with anything on wrong side of law.

[Oldbloke]

I guess you could just cut the base (bit that seals) off the wad off and use that. Then a dab of silicon.

[marksman]

Just remember that spring guns/trip guns are illegal in all States and Territories (except QLD).

was thinking the same

but they are very effective against intruders who think your not there
if you put a trail cam up to get footage and watch the event you get a hell of a good laugh

not that l'm saying to do it

[bladeracer]

I agree with Oldbloke, just use the primer, plenty loud in an empty shell and greatly reduces the risk of any debris being blown out the muzzle.

[snag]

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 ....

[TassieTiger]

That’s the go snag and the reason I need em.
Perfect. Cheers.

[snag]

Quick update Tas, was yarning with my brother this arvo and brought this up. He tells me that Surprise peas can be hard to find but in the snack food aisle at the supermarket, amongst the chips and peanuts, you can get Wasabi peas for a couple of dollars. Work brilliantly. You can eat them too, but they're bloody hot.

[TassieTiger]

Haha. Wasabi peas lol. This better not be some private freaking joke that a few members have concocted via PM’s and by using them I’ll bring in 40000 starlings and 9000 cockatoos feasting on some jap pea.

[Oldbloke]

What are the blanks for?

[TassieTiger]

It’s in the above.