Wax bullets for practice

[TheProf]

Friends..please educate me on this...

I read that you can use "wax bullets" for revolver practice at home.

From what understand (which could be very little), is that you can use a spent shell, insert primer, wax bullet.

1. I'm assuming that the primer is inserted by using a reloading machine.

2. That no gunpower is used...

3. Not sure where to get the wax.

4. Can anyone explain to me how this is done, using the most basic tools. I don't reload, but am willing to buy a reloading machine (a simple one) so that I can do this.

5. Is there a step by step instruction available.

 

[whughett]

You are on the forum so assume you have net access. There are dozens of you tube vids on the whole process, or you can just buy the apporiate caliber set up plastic shell casings and all .

 

[41 Mag]

If your looking at something for a 38, 357, 44, or 45 in Colt or ACP, you can pick up the plastic target bullets made by Speer.

They are reusable if you can catch them all. They are a hoot, but you should use them outside or at least in a garage with good ventilation blowing outside.

Using just the primer, they still produce smoke which isn't what you want landing in your house nor do you want to breath up a bunch of it.

The plastic bullets will penetrate a thick sided cardboard box and I suggest putting a few old shop towels held up by coat hangers run through the sides of the box to stop them. It works really well and once through the target side they drop to the bottom with little fanfare. If you don't use anything they tend to bounce around or depending on size box or the cardboard will go right on through.

They are not for shooting anything, or anyone and should be treated like any other bullet regardless of using wax or plastic. Even with just the primer they can have deadly effects.

I have used both the wax and the Speer plastic's, and the latter are by and far the best way to go. You don't end up with a bunch of wax residue to clean up when your done. The plastic will leave a little bit of residual plastic in your barrel but nothing a quick scrub with a bronze brush won't remove. I have been using them for nearly 30yrs and they are a hoot, but like mentioned use with some common sense and caution.

One other thing with the Speer bullets, you don't have to have a reloading set up Just something with a small enough pin to push out the spent primer and something to push the new one in with. A small plastic handled screwdriver can easily be modified to work just for that purpose.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I have a .38 set up to use 209 primers. Works well, but is pretty loud. May impact what you are trying to do it quiet is important.

 

[Reloadron]

Speer Plastic Training Bullets.

Speer is one of several companies making them. You do not need a loading press, a simple hand priming tool will work like a Lee, RCBS or other make. Spent primers are easily removed with a punch.

You can also make or roll your own wax or paraffin bullets. How to Make and Reload Wax Bullets from our friends at the NRA.

Ron

 

[myg30]

Prof, I would guess you live in an area where it's ok to discharge a firearm ? I had a busy body neighbor ask me what I was shooting inside my house as they heard the gunfire through open window ( lots ventilation ), I told them I was using a Hilti gun to put studs on the basement wall. Yes it was illegal to discharge a weapon in city limits.
Good luck and be safe
Mike

 

[The Bushmaster]

Go to your local store that supplies food canning supplies and purchase canning wax. It comes in 3 x 5 x 1/2 inch sheets. Warm the wax sheet until it is just pliable and push the shell casing into the wax. Warm the very end of the case with a match to seal the wax. You can prime the case before or after the above procedure.

You can increase the velocity using magnum primers. This will give you around 15 yards or better and they will be quite accurate. They do tend to wax up the barrel though.

I have chilled them in the refrigerator to make the wax harder. If it's a hot day, keep them cool.

I used them primarily to thwart neighbors dogs from crapping in my yard. Worked great!

 

[springer99]

If you choose to go the "wax-bullet" path, it's also a good idea to drill out the primer pockets on the cases you want to use and mark them as such. Doing that will give you better results with wax bullets, but you don't want to ever load them again as normal rounds. As bushmaster said, get the canning wax and have at it.

A much better approach though is to just purchase the Speer plastic cases and bullets, and use those. They'll be more accurate, easier to re-use and, TRUST ME--- much easier to clean up your gun afterwards. Been there-done that!!

 

[joem1945]

A fellow I used to shoot with would load crayons in .30 carbine and shoot in his basement. He said he liked the red ones best as they made it easier to see his hits. By the way he was the best shooter with a carbine I've ever seen.

 

[yugorpk]

I've got a lot of beeswax and shoot wax from time to time. I don't really clean afterwards as I've found lead does a great job of scrubbing the wax out. Rifle primers work just fine in 45 colt cases without having to open the primer holes any and despite what's all over the Internet they do not stick out of the primer pocket.

 

[Old Guy]

Working on a movie set, I was delivering the replica .45 Colt, and a box of soft wax rounds.

As a camera has only one eye, it can not see if you aim at the actor, or a foot to one side.

I could not get this half witted actor to aim off target! So I shot him in the leg, through his jeans. That cured him (I was not asked back though) Ontario Canada.

One thing I helped the Director with, a whole scene was in the can with verbal threats with this single action Colt WITH THE HAMMER DOWN!

He asked me who would notice?

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I indorse Speer plastic training ammo. You can get both bullets and plastic cases -- the latter can be loaded simply by starting the primer into the pocket and then pressing down hard on a flat surface.

My experience, however, is that you will get some misfires -- apparently the plastic head doesn't support the primer well. My solution is to take some brass cases, drill out the flash holes a bit, and use them with your plastic bullets. You will, of course have to prime them with something like a Lee Autoprime.

I take a large cardboard box, fill it with newspaper, and use it in my basement. When I run out of plastic bullets, I dump out all the paper and recover the fired bullets.

 

[444]

I was heavily into this at one time.

The ins and outs of this have already been covered. Just to reiterate a point: these are fairly loud and they produce a lot of smoke. So, shooting them in the house is probably not a good idea. I tried it once and that was enough. I suppose if you lived far enough away from other people, the noise might not be an issue, but the smoke probably is. Breathing that smoke isn't a good idea. Nor is contaminating your house. FWIW: I found this to be true of shooting anything in the house. I own two commerically made bullet traps and have shot suppressed .22s, air guns, wax bullets, and the Speer plastic bullets in the house. Any gun using a primer produces way more smoke than you think it does. I would advise against doing this. Other than the air guns which are great for indoor practice.

 

[gwpercle]

The Speer plastic set up is easiest. Plastic cases , plastic bullets (both reusable) , comes with complete instructions . Only primers are needed.

Warning....they will draw blood and hurt. Plastic and wax are not toy's, you must be careful with these...trust me.

Gary

 

[Navy_Guns]

Hot glue sticks are the perfect size for .45 ACP and .45 Colt. For the ACPs, I just push them into a primed case as far as they will go and cut them off flush with a razor blade. For .45 Colts, that would give you more than you need. It won't cycle the action but they shoot nice. The ones where you use a 209 primer can be problematic in revolvers since the primers tend to back out and can bind up the action.

 

[Jim K]

The Speer plastic bullets and cases are a lot cleaner than was, which seems to try to stick to everything, plus gum up the gun.

Note, though, that shooting into a steel bullet trap will damage the bullets and they will have to be replaced often. Stacks of newpapers work OK but eventually will be chewed up and not stop the bullet, so make sure there is a good solid backstop. (Do NOT do as I did and put a few layers of cardboard on a chair; you will have to have the chair re-upholstered, which ain't cheap!!)

Jim

 

[Vern Humphrey]

A bit of 3/8" plywood behind a box filled with newspaper makes an effective backup to a box full of newspaper. My basement has rein forced concrete walls, so I rarely bother with that -- Just a box a foot thick or more stuffed tight with newspaper.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

I discovered many years ago that if you try shooting wax bullets from a 45 Colt revolver, the primers will back out and bind up the gun. Actually, all revolver primers back out from the pressure built up in the primer pocket, but when the cartridge recoils, the primer gets reseated. With wax bullets (or very light loads) not enough pressure is generated to develop enough recoil, so the primers stay backed out. I discovered this way back when I was a kid fooling around with wax bullets in my 45 Colt Blackhawk.

As mentioned, the solution is to drill the flash hole a little bit larger, so the pressure will not build up so much in the primer pocket.

However, be sure to label the brass that has had the flash holes drilled out and NEVER use it in regular ammunition with powder and bullets.

 

[Curator]

TheProf:

Lots of good information here, but let me list what works best:
Canning wax sheets for bullets
Brass fired in your gun, not resized
Drill out flash hole to 1/8" (mark cases, I cut a notch in the rim)
Press case mouth against warmed wax to cut out bullet
Push wax bullet down as far as it will go into the case (best velocity and accuracy)
Prime and fire.
Good ventilation needed as lead fumes are present in primer smoke
Generally, wax bullets shoot low compared to live ammo
De-cap without sizing to reload
Do not use these cases to load live ammo

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I discovered many years ago that if you try shooting wax bullets from a 45 Colt revolver, the primers will back out and bind up the gun.

Open up the flash hole with a drill bit and it will cure that problem.

 

[sgt127]

I shot thousands (hundreds?..it's been a long time) in my garage. It was an awful lot of fun. Just cheap paraffin from the grocery store.

Store them primer up so the oil doesn't leak into the primers if the get a little warm.

 

[aarondhgraham]

Way back in time,,,

Way back in time,,,
Popular Mechanics ran a how-to article.

Take that canning paraffin and melt in in a tin pie plate,,,
You want about 1/4" depth.

Pull the bullet from .22 LR, L, or S cartridges,,,
Pour out the powder.

Mash the case into the wax like a cookie cutter,,,
Twisting it as you pull it out.

Lots of fun from a .22 revolver.

I would go out into the garage and shoot spiders off of their webs.

Aarond

.

 

[Bo]

Mentioning wax bullets reminds me...
When I hired in the post office, in 1980, we had to qualify with a 38 using wax bullets. As a truck driver, we sometimes carried registered mail. When we did, we would carry S&W Mod. 36 snubnose revolvers. We all had permits issued by the post office, only good while working. Somewhere in the nineties, we lost that privilege.
Try carrying a firearm at the post office now.

 

[DWFan]

The wax used by women to remove hair from their legs resists warmer temps better.

 

[BCRider]

With the idea that "good ventilation" is going to be on about the same level of air movement as you'd find in most indoor ranges I'd suggest that shooting the plastic practice ammo or wax bullets with primers is just not a wise idea for inside the house where you live.

It'll be just about impossible to avoid the fumes and particulates hanging around and contaminating just about everything. And if you're running a forced air heating system which ends up running at the same time you'll contaminate the ducts with the particulates from that "smoke".

If you really want to shoot indoors get a pellet gun and use good safe compressed air. And if you shoot at any of those steel flipper targets expect a lot of lead dust spatter around the targets that needs to be cleaned up fairly often.