[kcmarine]

With shotgun shells being loaded with a wide variety of payloads these days (beanbags, stun guns, OC), I was wondering about a few more loads. Specifically, .68 or .40 caliber paintballs and airsoft ammunition.

Would the paintball rupture against the wadding when fired? If so, is it possible to dial down the powder in the load to keep that from happening?

Would airsoft ammunition be aerodynamic enough to maintain speed after the wadding peeled back?

I'm not thinking of using this as a less- lethal load or anything... I'm just curious in that Mythbusters way. If I ever get the money to get some reloading equipment, I just might have to find out myself... I have a pump action 12 gauge with a 3 1/2" chamber. With appropriate safety measures, of course...

What's the jury think?

[Offfhand]

You've made a very interesting proposition. Someone will make a ton of money on it.

[Geneseo1911]

I'd be willing to bet you couldn't sufficiently cushion a paintball to keep it from breaking. Look how much buckshot pellets deform.

Your airsoft pellets would be a lot like a round I happened across on another website earlier today: http://www.paraklesetechnologies.com/products.asp?cat=17
second one down

[MutinousDoug]

I think your project could be done, Paintball guns only shoot 350fps or so right? That's a pretty big download and includes a shot wad buffer.
That said, I wouldn't let anyone point ANY firearm at me in any type of game.

[greyling22]

test it in a gun you're not in charge of cleaning.

[herohog]

They already exist. They shoot OC spray capsules.

[fireman 9731]

Airsoft pellets wouldn't carry very far, they are too light.... might be good pest control though...

[kcmarine]

Hm... 350 FPS eh? What if you put some sort of laquer or wax on the ball? Just a thin coat...

[Cheshire]

any paintball shot at over 300 fps can be very dangerous. I would get it down to 280 at most.

There are a few places online that have covered loading them but I would suggest just coming to one of our games (KC based "Ghost Recon") and using a real paintball gun.

[Sawblade]

The primer itself might be enough at that low of a velocity.

[herohog]

Hm... 350 FPS eh? What if you put some sort of lacquer or wax on the ball? Just a thin coat...

Lacquer would be too brittle and would dissolve the casing. Wax probably wouldn't be strong enough. Remember, the casing of a paintball is the same thing as the coating on medicine capsules and are easily affected by moisture/liquids. I used to work for Brass Eagle paintball company and saw a lot of cool R&D stuff.

[Jesse Heywood]

This has been accomplished with a cloth cover.
http://www.alstechnologies.com/index.php?page=ALS1200
But I still wouldn't want to be hit with one.