Wax bullets: Small rifle Primers?

[RevolvingGarbage]

Ive been wanting to make a batch of .38spl wax bullets for practice at home. Could I use small rifle primers in place of small pistol primers for these?

Ive read that the dimensions are the same, but that the SR primers are harder and also that they have slightly more power.

Wouldn't this result in slightly more power out of the wax bullets?

Would there be any safety risks in doing this?

 

[rcmodel]

No safety risk as long as you handgun has enough stuff to set them off.

You do need to drill out the flash holes in the cases with a 1/8" drill, or primer cup pressure will back the primers out and tie up a revolver so the cylinder won't turn.

rc

 

[loadedround]

Wax bullets are fun to shoot but a real PIA to clean your firearm afterwards. Have you seen Speer's plastic bullets and cases? They too are propelled with just a primer and but also have the ability to used over again. Much cleaner on you and your pistol.

 

[pcwirepro]

Is this the glue stick version?

 

[RevolvingGarbage]

I was thinking of using come canning wax from the grocery store. I don't think gluesticks come close enough to .35 cal to be used.

 

[pcwirepro]

Can you shave the larger ones down? Is this for the RG? Let us know how it goes. I'd run plastic or wax through my $100 RG.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20Px6Vz8tt8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kwv8sZxdtc&feature=related

 

[RevolvingGarbage]

Can you shave the larger ones down? Is this for the RG? Let us know how it goes. I'd run plastic or wax through my $100 RG.

Indeed it is for the good ole RG40.

I suppose I could shave larger glue sticks down, or make some kind of rig to melt them a little and swage them down to the right size. I really just want something I can use to get draw-aim-fire practice at home in the backyard or garage. I'm thinking wax will be cheaper but glue will make much less mess and will probably be somewhat reusable.

PC, which RG revolver is it that you have?

 

[Oyeboten]

What about shooting those soft 'foam' type 'Ear Plugs'?

I have never tried it...just now thought of it in fact...


They'd bounce too!

 

[pcwirepro]

PC, which RG revolver is it that you have?

I think it's a 38S. I just started reloading for it (withed mixed success) and my 10 year old son has really taken a liking to it. Up until last weekend he would only shoot his Single Six and Buck Mark 22's. I finally got him to shoot this one. He loved it.

 

[RevolvingGarbage]

Nice!

Looks like one of the earlier German made RG's. I think it is indeed a 38S. Same basic gun I have but with a longer barrel, adjustable rear sight, heavier wider hammer, and different grips.

Keep a sharp eye on that thumb piece for the cylinder release! If it unscrews and you loose it, you probably wont ever find another one.

 

[pcwirepro]

Will do. I need to clean it up a bit and get the ejector moving a little better. It's the crudest thing I have ever shot but it sure is fun.

I'll keep an eye out for your wax bullet update.

 

[Maj Dad]

Here's a link to a post I made in a wax bullet thread last year. Check the whole thing out for lots of info...

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=5947728&postcount=44