Can I make a cheap Glaser slug by pouring wax into a 7 1/2 bird load?

[jlbraun]

Title says it all. Given that birdshot won't penetrate much in a defensive situation, I've heard of people opening up a game load and pouring a hard wax into them to make an slug that will penetrate someone at a distance, but won't go through as many walls as a slug will. Has anyone done testing of such a load? Does it work?

(Note: defensive shotgun is and will remain loaded with 00 Buck)

 

[ArmedBear]

Isn't that an old Sicilian hit man's load?

 

[jlbraun]

Isn't that an old Sicilian hit man's load?

Dunno. Just asking if it would work. I heard it was some African hunters' trick. It would be interesting to see it tested in ballistic gel.

 

[CWL]

I thought Sicilians rubbed garlic on everything.

 

[CWL]

Would wax have any structural integrity to hold shot together? Wouldn't it just shatter & melt when the shell was fired?

I think that Glaser and other frangible rounds makers use either some sort of plastic composite or compressed powdered metal to hold everything together from time of discharge to initial penetration into intended media.

 

[Chilean]

I think that you'll get only a dirty barrel...an a load of birdshot

 

[jlbraun]

Found something called PolyShok that looks similar:

The technical term is an impact-reactive projectile.

 

[Oldnamvet]

Be interesting to try it with superglue or epoxy.

 

[miko]

I say, try it and see what a target looks like.
If you have two holes, then the wax held.

miko

 

[Black_Talon]

I played around with this over 30 years ago (a kid's got to have something to do, in order to stay out of trouble ). Used Sears "Ted Williams" brand shotgun shells and candles liberated from my mom's candle-holders.

Long story short, it didn't work for diddly. Apparently the wax just blew apart upon ignition. Patterns were effectively the same as the standard loads. It was fun though. Also used to make "buckshot" loads by pulling 22LR bullets and forming them into balls with a pair of pliers, then loading them into live shells with the birdshot removed. IIRC, you could get 8 or 9 of them into a standard 1-1/4 oz shotcup.

 

[Dave McCracken]

IIRC, I first saw this in print by the late Russelll Annabel. He claimed that old Alaskan sourdoughs would open a shell at the crimp, pour melted tallow in and seal with tape. This made a crude Moose and Bear load.

In a pure D survival situation, maybe.

It also turns up in African tales as a native hunters' trick to make ammo suitable for Buffalo, Hippo and Crocs.

Again, maybe...

Don't expect to see me try it, and if you load one up next to me at the range, I'll leave or take away your shotgun.

Spend $3 on a pack of slugs. Heck, if money's that tight I'll give you some of mine.

Remember, shotguns and grenades have similar pressures.....

 

[.45Guy]

*do Not Try This At Home*

I feel really bad mentioning this, but since there is already an approved discussion I'll add to it. Use an exacto blade to cut the case around the base of the wad and fire from a cylinder bore.

 

[PercyShelley]

Remember, shotguns and grenades have similar pressures.....

Shotguns, however, have much more potential shrapnel.

Here's my oddball idea: Take a slug, hollow out the back and fill the cavity with steel and lead shot. Put the lead shot towards the back of the projectile and the steel shot forward. Fire said slug from a rifled bore.

On impact, since the center of gravity is rearward, hopefully the slug will rotate, fragment and unload on the target with low-penetration shot.

 

[Cannonball888]

I think Ayoob would advise against making a home made defensive load. A prosecuter could twist it to say you were making a more lethal round out of malice.

 

[trueblue1776]

I loaded a blob of #8 and rubber cement in a 12ga 2-3/4 when I was about 15. I can't remember how it worked, it must not have been that cool though because I only made one. (I also loaded live .22 shorts into a hull, got my arse kicked for that)

 

[rc135]

Wax+Shot

I agree w/ Cannonball here.

Also, I have heard (rumor has it...) that 'waxing' bird shot is illegal in some parts. I'd check that out before I went any further.

"The Dude abides." -- The Big Lebowski

"The eye only sees what the mind is prepared to comprehend." -- Henri Bergson

"That's a lie!
Yes, it is. What's your point?" -- "Babylon 5"

 

[PercyShelley]

I also loaded live .22 shorts into a hull, got my arse kicked for that

By the load or someone who knew better?

 

[trueblue1776]

By the load or someone who knew better?

The dangers of that load had nothing on the beating I took for making it. "Come on Dad, you never thought that would be cool?"

"No, you are a retard, you're going to blow yourself up"

WHACK!

 

[Dionysusigma]

What about a slug divided into sections (think "citrus fruit" format), held together with a strong, but thin, braided steel wire at the back?

Slug basically blossoms on impact, becoming a hollowpoint that expands to 2".

 

[RBANNON]

I remember a gun magazine article from several years ago, where the writer used hot melt glue binder and shot for some frangible loads.