Random Idea : Magnetic Shot?

[The Janitor]

Here is a random idea I got a while ago. What if, when doing your reloads, you were to put in a thin highly-magnetic slug, or magnetic balls? The theory behind this, is that you would have tighter groups and increased range, as the magnetic balls would hold the shot together for much longer. This is more for waterfowl hunters than a practical defensive purpose.

 

[earlthegoat2]

And have shot this is more expensive than the Tungsten stuff...whew. Id still buy it if it was proven to work.

I think some testing is in order.

 

[gentleman987]

very interesting idea

 

[DaleCooper51]

how would you get the shells out of the box?

 

[krimmie]

But the magnetic shot would be attracted to the barrel too....the drag would slow the shot load somewhat.

 

[MikeKeyW]

I'm thinking they may tend to clump together leaving big holes in the pattern. Worth a try though.

 

[RaisedByWolves]

Neodymium magnets would probably stay together if loaded correctly. The downside would be that they would act like a gelatinous slug and may also do a Wylie-Coyote like 180 and come back at you.






For what its worth, I was kidding about the latter part, but them suckers do stick together like nobodys buisiness.

 

[gunmn74]

My Grandfather told me as boy before the no led shot rules, they use
to tie to 18 pieces of piano wire into an X shape and crip split shot
onto it. Then they open up a shell and dump the shot and wad up there
creation to put back into the shell. He said you could really reach up there
and knock down some Geese.

 

[The Janitor]

I'm thinking they may tend to clump together leaving big holes in the pattern. Worth a try though.

*OR*

If a magnetic slug down the center was used(roughly 1/4"), it would eventually start twirling, and the centripetal force would fling the shot off the slug.

If not, Im thinking you would get a small circle where the stuff is still clumped together, and all the remaining shot outside the circle would be a somewhat normal pattern.

 

[Big Daddy Grim]

Interesting like to know where this one goes

 

[The Janitor]

Though there could be a better way. Maybe the thing to do is to stick the shot together with some sort of heat activated adhesive, like a metal/adhesive baby ruth candybar. When the adhesive gets hot, it will become gummy, thus allowing the shot to fly apart under the high-velocity wind resistance. But not gummy enough to leave adhesive residue.

 

[Big Boomer]

the magnetic field required required to maintain any sort of improved patterning would most likely be far greater than is achievable. Nice idea though.

 

[ColdChili]

don't all magnets have two poles? dissimilar poles attract and like poles repel....so you would get some pellets that stick together and others would push each other (making a lousey spread)? I'm not 100% positive on this...

 

[GregGry]

Couple things that come to mind:

Strong magnets would certainly cause feed issues in semi auto guns. One little pencil eraser sized rare earth magnet could easily hold 10+ pounds. If the magnet was anywhere near any steel in the shotgun it would likely be attracted with enough force to cause a stoppage.

I would think the pattern would be somewhat sporadic because A) not all of the magnet peices would stay together, and B) the magnets attraction to the barrel could affect the trajectory as its leaving the barrel. Granted with the magnetic shot moving at 1,000 fps+ the effect will likely be small, however even 1\10th of a mm near the muzzle will result in feet at exdended ranges.


PErsonally I would like to see what happens, however I find it to be pointless. I say that because A) it would be probably cheaper to shoot gold plated steel shot, B) If the magnets don't seperate shortly after leaving the muzzle, you are going to have a mass that is likely shaped like a turd (And who knows where its going to hit) and C) The shock and deformation caused by the charge could possibly affect the magnets negatively and reduce their magnetic attration.

 

[whisky19]

I think a call to Mythbusters is in order!

 

[Virginian]

Unless someone figures out how to make something other than steel magnetic, I am afraid I wouldn't be interested in any event. I don't think you can cook it enough to be as good as Hevi-Shot or Kent T/M.

 

[BullpupBen]

It sounds like a cool idea, but I think:

1. It would cause mechanical issues in autoloaders

2. the ammo would either stay together forever as one big clump or seperate outside of its magnetic field and move like normal shot

 

[Highland Ranger]

why not ask these guys to try it: http://www.theboxotruth.com/

 

[BADUNAME37]

why not ask these guys to try it: http://www.theboxotruth.com/

Interesting site!

 

[Double Naught Spy]

I think a call to Mythbusters is in order!

Well, this isn't a myth to bust, but an idea to test.

------

While the idea maybe could sort of work, the expense of the magnets would make the cartridges prohibitively expensive. I think you would do better with a better choke.

 

[Bud Tugly]

Iron is easy to magnetize by passing it over one pole of a strong magnet or sending a D.C. current through it. In general, the softer the iron the stronger the effect.

Maybe someone who reloads with steel shot could give it a try.

 

[GregGry]

The issue is that your not going to magnetize steel to anywhere near the level that high power magnets are at. Not to mention the deformation caused by the charge will affect the magnetic properties. The heat present will as well. When you pull the trigger you could end up having a bunch of non magnetic material bytime it reaches the end of the barrel.

 

[BADUNAME37]

After they get that new particle accelerator up and working, you'll find out what will REALLY hold the pellets together.

That is, if we are all still in this same time-space warp.

 

[Highland Ranger]

Re - interesting site

One day I want to retire and do something like that . . . . who's better than them!?

 

[BADUNAME37]

God is better.