45 Colt Blanks

[Clippers]

I'm loading some blanks for my brother using black powder. I loaded them using Starline blank brass, Large Pistol primers, and Black Powder of 31,32,33,and 34 grains. All were crimped with a Blank crimper and they all shot like they were supposed to. The problem came when I tried to extract the brass from the cylinder. I ended up taking the cylinder out of the gun to remove the brass. The primers were fine but the case mouth stuck against the cylinder wall where the star crimp opened up. Any ideas on whether I should 1) up the charge to open up the crimp more uniformly, smoothing out the hills and valleys of the crimp, or 2) reduce the load so it doesn't set the crimp so tight against the cylinder wall. I've searched the internet high and low and can't seem to find the info I'm looking for. Thanks.

 

[greenmtnguy]

I've not loaded blank rounds before, but I would think that you wouldn't need to go nearly so high in charge weight just to make some noise and smoke. Certainly with black powder you don't want things to have a large air gap in there, but you could always add a little pufflon or some other filler material.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

If you have a .44-40 die neck the brass down before loading. Makes extraction easier. If you use 5 in 1 or 8 in 1 cases you won't have this problem, and you can shoot in several revolvers.
Also, read up in Bob Shell's blog.
http://bobshellsblog.blogspot.com/2008/07/blank-ammo.html

 

[Jesse Heywood]

I've not loaded blank rounds before, but I would think that you wouldn't need to go nearly so high in charge weight just to make some noise and smoke. Certainly with black powder you don't want things to have a large air gap in there, but you could always add a little pufflon or some other filler material.

Blanks take a lot of powder to get the bang. The problem is there is no projectile to develop pressure.

The crimped cases are nice, but an expensive method since you need a die made for the crimp and you can't reload the cases. I use cases that have cracks or other damage, trimmed past the damage and drill out the primer hole. Prime, put in a dash of Bullseye, and top off with FFFg. Push in a piece of florist foam and seal with white Elmer's glue. The amount of FFFg varies with use, mainly indoor or outdoor and the size of the crowd.

 

[Clippers]

Thanks for the information. I tried to talk him into using Styrofoam, but for some reason he wants to use crimped loads. Would you mind explaining the 5 in 1 cases.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

5 in 1 blanks. Stretching my memory bank. Necked down and with a body slim enough to be used in 45 Colt, 45 Schofield, .44-40, and 44 mag, IIRC. The brass expands, but, since the case is only used once, the case life doesn't matter.

I have tried several methods of making blanks, but had the best results with green foam and elmers. Some swear by hot glue, which eliminates the drying time. What we use for a test is a piece of paper at 6 feet. No holes and it's good enough for the local gunslingers. The foam is cheap at a craft store. Set the case on the bench and push the foam on it.

 

[Clippers]

Thanks again. Crimping the brass never made sense to me.