37mm reloading help

Ditch Doc

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I recently purchased a Cobray 37mm launcher and was hoping someone might be able to help me learn not only how to reload rounds but assist me with the current legalities in Canada surrounding them. Also, ideally, if able, can someone direct me as to where I can purchase some rounds for it so I can try it out while I am learning? Thanks in advance for the help!!

Cheers
 
Hey I have all the info you need as I own and shoot a 37mm havoc all the time.

All I want you to do is tell me how to get a cobray here in canada!
 
I got mine from ### through a private sale. It came with a lot of accessories like a 12 gauge adapter, 6 red flares, 12 shells and a few other things I cant remember right now. I picked it up all in with overnight shipping for $550. Any assistance you are able to give would be GREATLY appreciated!!! Where are you located? Maybe we can get together and shoot a few rounds off as well

I assume by your reaction that a Cobray launcher is fairly sought after??? I really know nothing about the different brands and honestly had not even heard of a Cobray until I bought one!!!
 
37mm reloading.

Materials:

I suggest going to a local photography store, and picking up a bag of their used/empty film cannisters. Black with grey lids. You will require 1 canister, and 2 lids per shell.

These are a perfect fit for your 37mm aluminium hull cases.

Get some Federal 209 shotshell primers

Get some FFFg blackpowder.

Get some 1" flat washers.

Get some white flour.

Get some blue or red roofers marking chalk.

Process:

1. Clean out the shells, use a punch to knock out the old primer from the inside out. (I think a 3/16" punch worked on mine)

2. Insert new primers, I used a vise to slowly press them into the cases.

3. Measure between 45-60 grains of FFFg blackpowder (I usually went with 55 gn) and pour into the case.

4. Take the "extra" grey 35mm film canister lid and push it in on top of the powder, with the inside down. (so the smooth side is facing up towards the mouth of the shell.) This seals in your powder, and acts as wadding.

5. Take your 35mm film canister, put in 2-3 large flat washers to provide some weight. Fill full with white flour, then tamp it down, and add a teaspoon of roofers chalk on top. Place the lid on the canister. This is your completed projectile.

6. Place the canister into the shell with the grey lid facing up. It will be a snug fit, so ease it in smoothly so that the lid doesn't pop off the canister.

7. Take the the range and fire.

Expected results:

About 25% of these will have the canister fail partway down the range resulting in a big poof of flour and chalk in mid-air. COOL.

About 70% will go between 100-150 meters, and will burst on impact, giving a clear mark (chalk and flour) as to where you hit.

About 5% will land gently enough that they will not burst.

After firing, you will be able to go downrange and recover most of the flat washers for re-use.

You will also be able to recover most of the grey lids for re-use.


A couple of notes on firing the Cobray.


1. Check that your firing pin is cocked before loading the launcher. If it is not, you may end up inadvertently firing as you snap the breech shut. (This happened to me once.)

2. When test-firing new loads, do not place your hand on the handguard portion of the launcher. When firing under-slung on an AR-15, I kept one hand on the rifle's pistol grip, and used the other hand to fire the Cobray.

A suggestion.

Consider finding (or making) a stand-alone launcher for your Cobray. I ended up making MUCH more use of mine when I had it stand-alone and not on a restricted AR-15.

Here was mine. I sold it a while back. Good fun though.

NS

Feb%2009%20005%20(Small).jpg
 
Of note, here's a photo with the launcher and some of the shells:

Jan%2009%20074%20(Small).jpg


You can see the orange and black shells I got one from the US. Neat, but I only ever tried them with about 10 grains of FFFg blackpowder. I had issues with the primer pocket holes being loose on them.

The aluminium hulls you see are some that I cut down to a length of 85mm. That way they fit sideways in the .30 cal size ammo can. You can see the grey lids of the film canisters in these shells.

I was able to load and re-fire the same shells 15-20 times, no issues.

Enjoy your mini-thumper.

NS
 
Thanks for all the help so far, I really appreciate it!!! Do you know anything about the shells that screw apart allowing multiple uses?? Are they worth it and how many times are you able to use them?? With a 12 gauge adapter, can you fire the 12 gauge flares like the ones from the Orion flare gun from CDN Tire or does it have to be the ones that look like a 12 gauge shell from Cabellas? Also, is it legal in Canada to load "bird bombs" as apposed to just marker shells??

As for mounting, I was thinking about putting it on my Ruger SR 22 as it is non restricted as well.
 
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Hey Ditch,
About shooting together, well I'm located in Québec so it's kinda far..

Navy shooter give good info but the "launcher world" is full of ideas and place for improvement.
I have the havoc launcher and as far as I know, it's built stronger than the cobray. I use different casings : sanded down m212, reloadableshells, BP ones from MLR distributing, CTS police with the .38 blank, etc. My opinion is that if you're not a big fan of cleaning your toys all the time, smokeless powder is what you want. Also you will get greater results. The shell that screws apart like the ones at reloadableshell.com are simply awesome! He and MLR dist. will ship to Canada. The 12g adapter made by spike will shoot the CT flares And the Cabellas ones, but not a real 12g.

You should join the gang at http://www.freewebs.com/grog/

Oh and by the way, I'm really looking for a cobray launcher to add to my collection, anyone have one to sell?
 
Oh yeah bird bombs are dangerous, I try to create a puff using smoke mix instead and a pinch of BP, you can buy it in dark grey from here: http://www.rocketfireworks.ca/60gsmoke.html

Less of a "bang" but way smarter to shoot them from about 20 inches of your face!

Also I suggest you just don't discuss about them if you do join Grog's forum.

Bad stuff happen when you use bird bombs:
http://www.freewebs.com/grog/safety1.htm
 
Again, thanks for all the help, I really appreciate it!!

Yea, I've done some research since the post about bird bombs and have decided that it would be wise to steer of those entirely as it looks a little too dangerous for a newbie. I'm just going to stick along the lines of what Navy Shooter said...great post with excellent advice!! I was also able to find a great video on YouTube to reference as well.

I am going to order a screw apart shell though. Does anyone have a general idea of how many times they can be used before having to be replaced??

Thanks for the heads up about the forum and the advice, I'll stop but and take a look!!
 
The info I had above is roughly sourced from Grog's old website (37mm.com) which is now defunct.

Good to see he has a new home.

I had good fun with my 37, but leveraged it into funding another project...

Who else has a Razorback...?
 
Hey Navy, did you ever hear about a CD set grog made on reloading? I've heard reference to it but can't find any solid info not only on them but how to get them
 
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