oddest reloading request I've ever had. HELP!

[Kurastduuks]

So i get a call from my father-in-law today and he had some very interesting rounds he wanted me to load for him. His best friend and life long hunting partner passed away about a month ago and was cremated, my FIL's request was to make a few dud 300 win mag loads with his ASHES IN PLACE OF POWDER for all his hunting buddies to carry with them. I said this would be no problem what so ever but the request i told him I'd have to think on a while was whether or not i could make a functional load with powder and a bit of the ashes for him to take a close range deer with....any thoughts?

 

[allaroundhunter]

That is odd to say the least. Is it possible to make live rounds with some ashes taking the place of a little powder? Probably. But I will wait and see what other people will say on the subject.

 

[Kurastduuks]

On the live rounds the ashes would not be in place of powder there would be a conventional powder charge with a small amount of ashes. The rounds that are just full of ashes will have a spent primer in them and just be for keeping in their pockets while hunting as a momento kinda thing for their lost friend. A bit much for me but whatever floats your boat I guess.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

That's not a problem at all. Choose a powder that doesn't fill the case. Then add some ashes to fill the rest of the case and seat the bullet. It's just like using a filler in a cartridge that was originally a Black Powder cartridge. It will fire the same as if you didn't add the ashes so you can use the round as normal.

 

[reddrumtoo]

Prime , put a light load of a fast pistol powder in , add in a tuft of kapok to hold the powder against the primer , add ash's to suit & seat bullet . check out some lead bullet loads, happy hunting .

 

[JO JO]

There is a company called holy smoke that does this maybe you
can find ideas there too

 

[Kurastduuks]

Thanks guys that was my plan just hadnt ever heard of someone doing this with ashes and didnt know if the chemical compound could interfere with the powder/burn rates and so on. I think it is a neat idea but will be pretty weird feeling to load someone into a round...

 

[Poper]

What ArchAngelCD said.

I did a similar thing with some of my best friend's ashes after he passed. I loaded 2 boxes of 12 gauge shells and used his ashes as shot buffer. One box went pheasant hunting and the other was used on 'one last trip to the range with Russ'.

You get props for helping some old guys out with their dear friend who has gone west.

 

[FROGO207]

Keep in mind that adding any amount of ashes will alter the case capacity so reducing the propellant level a bit would be necessary I would think if you add a goodly amount. Kapoc or such fillers will compress and burn thus altering the pressure a small amount but ashes are already burned and will just compress. You might even try some loads you make up to be sure they are accurate. Just use a different type of ashes if need be. Glad you are helping out in this adventure for them.

 

[Sport45]

I'd make the memorial rounds as you said with a full case of ashes and a spent primer. Use an electro-pencil to engrave the deceased name (and maybe DOB & DOD) on the side so it doesn't look like a dud and wind up being "recycled."

For the live rounds I'd use a minimum published load and add a half-grain or less of the ash on top. It'll go boom and do it's thing at any normal range.

 

[Kurastduuks]

I have a friend who does laser engraving and was thinking of having his name with DOB/DOD and a little woodland scene or a buck or something on the duds. His system is all computerized and automated so it would only take a few minutes a piece.

 

[fguffey]

my FIL's request was to make a few dud 300 win mag loads with his ASHES IN PLACE OF POWDER

Make a few duds. Then there is the primer, the primer should be inert. I helped a friend with problems he had, he did not resent the cost estimated, he just simply did not trust them, so, he called.

When finished he wanted me to have a cabinet. Turns out the cabinet was a double stack tool box with contents and everything on the bench including every thing bolted to it and, everything on the shelves. An estimate, 1,200 pounds of reloading and gunsmithing. When sorting cases I found 270 Winchester cases that had been fired. I examined the case and found a rolled up tag he used on from his licenses.

Duds: If the case looks like the real thing there is a good chance someone will chamber and fire or pull down the cases and then dump the contents. I would suggest engraving the cases and make sure the primer will not fire.

F. Guffey

 

[wally247]

I would remove the spent primer and put a dab of glue in the flash hole just to remove all doubt.

I do like the idea though. It's a nice way to carry some memories through the woods.

 

[ljnowell]

I have made did rounds for people before that they wanted to look real a possible. I pulled the anvil out of the primer prior to seating it in the case.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Odd? Yeah, maybe.
But I think its awesome. I'd definitely do it with live rounds. It shouldn't be unsafe at all. Then he can have another range trip or hunting trip with his buddy.

 

[Kosh75287]

I've only shot 20 rounds of .300 Winchester in my life, and reloaded NONE. I've been told that if you don't load it pretty close to factory specs or warmer, the slow-burning powders used, hangfires can result. THAT SAID, I'D go look at Hodgdon's Reloading Website for reduced power loads for it, using 4895. I don't know how many of the Honorable Deceased Gentleman's ashes might be incorporated with the 4895, but I'd think SOME of it could be put in. Additionally, some MUCH-lower-power loads might be concocted, using medium-to-slow-rate pistol powders(Unique/Herco or 2400/4227?), and maybe use the Gentleman's ashes in place of Kapok or Cream-of-Wheat filler?

I'll have to admit that this may be the most unusual request from a passed-on shooter that I'VE ever heard of. But I think it's one the COOLER ones I've ever heard of, too.

I sincerely wish you the best of luck in your efforts at fulfilling his request.

 

[clearcut]

trail boss may be the powder you want to use.
CC

 

[blarby]

Im pretty sure you could shake some ash into the kernel spaces of almost any round.

Unless it was a significant amount, I would suspect normal function.

I would use a couple BB's worth of cremains on top of the powder charge, and just shake it up so that you dont get an ash clod? clot ? Cloud ? exiting the barrel.

Did your FIL have any "trophy" casings from successful hunts ? That would be fantastic. For the others, I can think of no better reason to invest in some Lapua brass. What better reason to go for the best ? He's gonna be in there forever.

Excellent job doing this for the fellas.


Only caveat I can think of is kinda sensitive :

Having recently handled cremains, I can tell you the larger particles tend to gravitate to the surface of the package.

I would try and obtain your sample used for the actual functioning cartridges from the bottom of the package, where the particles are the most fine.



Personally, while I can certainly wait for the opportunity, I can think of few final resting places that would give me more comfort than nestled up next to some 0 buckshot sitting the final overwatch for my wife.

We've already discussed it, and im pretty sure thats where the last of its gonna go.