Blanks...Making/reloading

[RedeyeGunner]

Hi all,
I've just recently gotten into WW2 reenactment and was surprised at the cost of blank ammuntion for Garands, Carbines and Mausers. Does anyone know of a method to produce blanks, either reloading shot blanks or making new blanks out of regular cartridges? Are crimping dies available for reloading presses?

I found a couple topics here in the forums but without much information.

Thanks.

 

[rcmodel]

I don't know of any commercially available blank powder.

It is very fast, almost like flash powder, in order to create a "bang" without any real resistance in front of it to contain it.

To my knowledge, nobody sells it in bulk for reloading because it is so dangerous.

Black-powder blanks work well because unlike smokeless powder, black powder explodes, but it's not for WWII era rifles like a Garand or Carbine!

rcmodel

 

[RedeyeGunner]

So a quick burning powder like Bullseye wouldn't work then?

 

[rcmodel]

NO. Not without some sort of heavy wadding to contain it and make a bang.

Then you have a projectile!

rcmodel

 

[RedeyeGunner]

What about crimping the case, then no wad would be necessary....right? Is there a die set available that does this, or is it one of those factory only gigs?

 

[rcmodel]

Here ya go!

Good luck with that!
Don't shoot your eye out!

http://bobshellsblog.blogspot.com/2008/07/blank-ammo.html

rcmodel

 

[RedeyeGunner]

Good find, RC, that'll at least get me started. Thanks!

 

[rodinal220]

Each blank cartridge and weapon presents its own unique set of challenges.Bolt guns are easier to load for than semi autos or smg/MG.Blanks do not require wadding of any sort.

You generally wont find any loading data for blanks and everybody seems to have their own favorite recipe.Generally small charges of fast burning pistol powders are used in everything.

Blanks produce alot more fouling and the weapon needs to be cleaned and lubed more often than with live ammo.

Bolt guns and revolvers only need enough powder to make noise and do not need heavy charge weights.Self loading guns only need enough powder to produce enough gas/recoil to cycle the weapon,the powder weights would be FAR LESS than what would be used normally for live ammo.This is also due to the use of fast burning pistol powder and NOT rifle powder.

Blank restictors have a hole diameter for that type of weapon and blank ammo.The hole diameter varies and the weapon needs to be "dialed" so to speak to achieve optimum cycling.


http://www.angelfire.com/wa/fallschirmjaegers/CarbineArticle.html


http://www.ch4d.com/

 

[Sunray]

Making blanks out of regular cases doesn't work. Blanks, usually, have a long crimp that takes the place of the bullet. Even W.W. II vintage .30-06 training blanks(don't even think about using a grenade blank. They're much more powerful) had a long neck. Without it, you'll have feeding issues in a semi-auto.
These guys sell blanks. .30 Carbine runs $35 per 50. .30-06 runs a buck each. http://www.gunblanks.com/
So do these guys. No prices listed though. http://www.joeswansonsmotionpictureblanks.com/

 

[RedeyeGunner]

Atlantic Wall Blanks seems to have the best prices for blanks so far.

 

[rodinal220]

Yesterday, 10:11 PM #9
Sunray
Senior Member



Join Date: 05-17-03
Location: London, Ont.
Posts: 5,100 Making blanks out of regular cases doesn't work. Blanks, usually, have a long crimp that takes the place of the bullet. Even W.W. II vintage .30-06 training blanks(don't even think about using a grenade blank. They're much more powerful) had a long neck. Without it, you'll have feeding issues in a semi-auto.
These guys sell blanks. .30 Carbine runs $35 per 50. .30-06 runs a buck each. http://www.gunblanks.com/
So do these guys. No prices listed though. http://www.joeswansonsmotionpictureblanks.com/



Thats not completely true.It really depends on the weapon.I make 30-06 blanks for 1903 Springfield's out of regular 30-06 cases with a CH4D star crimp die set.Works great in a bolt gun,not so well in a M1 rifle or 1919a4.This methods applies for 8mm Mauser,.303,7.62x54R,7.7,6.5,as long as you use a bolt gun.

I make .45ACP blanks for 1917 Colt/S&W revolvers out of regular .45ACP brass,open flash holes to .140.Great for wheel guns,not good for 1911s.I use any case based on the .308 or 30-06 for .45 ACP 1911 rounds.They are cut down and resized and star crimped.


Regular .38 special cases are GTG for revolver blanks,I don't think they had any S&W 52s back then.The only mod need is to open the flash hole to .140.This prevents the primer from backing out.


.30 carbine can be made from .223/5.56 brass but is a real PITA to make.Swanson and some other have invested in the tooling to make this difficult blank round.

Making blanks is more for the advanced and experienced hand loader.