brimstoned Posted September 9, 2012 Share Posted September 9, 2012 What a way to while away a Sunday afternoon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanlg95 Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 I imagine you would have to use less powder for lift if you use a longer mortar (Cardboard tube will work) rather than a shotgun shell, and if you use a disk on top of the lift charge but below the "shot" with a hole in it to pass fire to the fuse, and another disk or a wad of paper above the "shot" so it builds up pressure giving you a higher lift Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brimstoned Posted September 10, 2012 Author Share Posted September 10, 2012 I agree......but I reside near a shotgun range and have often wondered about the possible uses for all those discarded husks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brimstoned Posted September 10, 2012 Author Share Posted September 10, 2012 (edited) The bottom ring is a good idea, but the fit is reasonably tight (will not fall in by itself, requires a gentle push).I prefer small items like this to activate at 50' or less, otherwise a tiny sparkle in the sky results. Edited September 10, 2012 by brimstoned Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Short5 Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 I am guessing you have experimented and it works for you, just keep in mind that all cartridge amunition is designed to be supported by the gun chamber for strength. I see you are into reloading so you probably know but I didn't want readers to get the wrong idea. A cardboard tube is probably a lot stronger than that case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan999ification Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 they can handle sugar fuel and flight until the shell melts, i imagine these are one use aswell. Dan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brimstoned Posted September 10, 2012 Author Share Posted September 10, 2012 I've also used them for small star mines and comets.A friend has an old Stevens 12-guage he has volunteered for research tomorrow, we will see how these work with a primer.There is a plan in place for scaring starlings from cherry trees... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brimstoned Posted September 10, 2012 Author Share Posted September 10, 2012 Here's a simple comet for twelve gauge mortars I tried today: 1 pound of BP substitute (had it lying about)6% Red Dot smokeless5% Mg turningsAcetone to make a putty-like consistency a teaspoon of this "skins" in a couple of minutes and can be rolled into a lozenge that will fit a 12 g shell, While still plastic, the plug is pressed on top of the lift with a dowel and paper cap, where it conforms to the shape if the shell's interior. I let this cure for about four days. The comet shot up about 30-40 feet, light lavender colour, great smoke trail, shedding large Mg sparks. When I get the chance, I'll try to get a photo at dusk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan999ification Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 looks like something the cat dragged in, seriously though if you are planning to fire these from a shotgun you owe your friend to clean it well. Dan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brimstoned Posted September 11, 2012 Author Share Posted September 11, 2012 ...or like something the cat left behind...Friend is a gunsmith...though this is a "sacrificial" firearm, we will be swabbing out the slag! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swede Posted September 12, 2012 Share Posted September 12, 2012 (edited) I have to say I like it! I've always been a fan of miniature "stealth" fireworks. Taking a large shell, miniaturizing it, and getting a small break with any symmetry is extremely challenging. Using BP in a shell inside a firearm isn't going to stress the gun unless the shell contains a salute or some other powerful device that explodes prematurely. All it's going to do is require a good cleaning due to the corrosive residue. Edited September 12, 2012 by Swede Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan999ification Posted September 12, 2012 Share Posted September 12, 2012 growing up with guns in the family taught me not to mention safety ( this time ) as i see it corrosion is more dangerous than the stress, it will be stressed if it corrodes, in time, a forstner slug will have no blow by in a rifled shot gun giving plenty ( not enough ) stress on the barrel/breech, a primer and a bit of bp with a non swaged projectile in a smoothbore gives me no worries at all but its always a good idea not to play dangerous games full stop, even though a steel barrel is stronger than any mortar of the same bore, this would not go down well on uk forums with our laws you would be ( or your friend ) de gunned for thinking about it. Dan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peret Posted September 13, 2012 Share Posted September 13, 2012 I fired comets once from my shotgun - I'll never do it again. The residue was filthy and I had to break the gun down and wash it in soapy water to clean it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brimstoned Posted September 30, 2012 Author Share Posted September 30, 2012 I have to do that with my BP rifle every time I use it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cogbarry Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 rm -rf /barrel/slag I've made a mess of my 12 gauge barrel using the old "bird banger" type commercial shells. Not something I'd do with a valuable gun. Let us know how you make out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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