Cremated ashes loaded in 12g shotgun shells?

zorlac

zorlac

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I have just been approached by a close personal friend who would like to have some of their fathers ashes loaded into 12 gauge shotgun shells and shot off at their celebration of life.
I know this is a strange request, but if anyone has any tips or knowledge on the subject I would really appreciate any input.
I have a very good light load I have built up with 15 grains of clays and 7/8 ounce of #7 shot using Winchester grey wads. Is it possible for me to just load the clays and wad then fill the shot cup with ashes. My biggest concern is will this be safe.

I would appreciate any advice

Thanks, Zorlac
 
Hmm, there actually was a thread on here last year I think about the subject. From the US I think as part of one last turkey hunt.
 
I have actually done this. Did it for my dog who passed last year.

Several things I learned:

1. You need to leave maybe half the shot in the wad in order to give it some weight. Otherwise the primer drives the wad forward and incomplete powder ignition will be a serious problem.

2. The shot measurement and drop system in my MEC press was really NOT designed for ashes. It tended to bleed ashes and I ended up with a fair bit of my dog over my loading bench and in my mouth. Have to say it is a bit disconcerting to feel that gritty ash on your teeth. :( Really don't think I'd want to do that for human remains.

3. It was cool and moving and fitting end to spread our old guy over his favourite gopher field. Just one last time he was racing over green grass in pursuit of gopher.
 
Thank you for the advice, I will try loading half a load of shot and the rest ashes(by hand). I agree with you on the dealing with human ash - but I am willing to get my hands dirty so to speak.
 
If you want to get alot of ashes in, you need to build a blank load. I don't remember what powder and weight I used, but I believe it was 30grains of hs6 + a 1â…› ounce shot cup filled with cream of wheat to the point of overflowing. Pack it down and the crimp.


Otherwise half full of shot would work fine.
 
Keep in mind that there will be bone an teeth fragments as these do not burn completely. You may want to use steel shot wads and open chokes to protect the gun(s) also not sure what happens to metal implants (root canal pins, screws, pins in broken bones)
 
ciphery said:
Keep in mind that there will be bone an teeth fragments as these do not burn completely. You may want to use steel shot wads and open chokes to protect the gun(s) also not sure what happens to metal implants (root canal pins, screws, pins in broken bones)
Click to expand...

Clearly you have never actually seen human remains post cremation. There is nothing but a gritty ash left. There is ZERO chance of damaging the gun because the ash weighs next to nothing. The biggest problem is actually building up enough pressure to get the powder to burn properly.
 
I have done this aswell. seeing as the bbl will need cleaning and the idea is smoke and ash, I elected to use FFF BP. worked good. no shot needed
 
Interesting idea... With ZERO experience in such things, packing the ash to a respectable density might be possible if they were slightly dampened with a humidifier. Obviously the idea is a spreading of the ash, so I would further recommend trial and error with fireplace ashes first to determine if the idea is viable, and if so, to what degree would the ash need dampening to compress yet still scatter to the wind. +1 on the steel shot cup and cylinder bore to avoid "smearing" the remains in the barrel.
 
"...shot off at..." You shoyuld look into where this will be held first. Getting arrested and losing your firearms, etc.
 
ciphery said:
Keep in mind that there will be bone an teeth fragments as these do not burn completely. You may want to use steel shot wads and open chokes to protect the gun(s) also not sure what happens to metal implants (root canal pins, screws, pins in broken bones)
Click to expand...

Metal stuffs are picked out and the bones are run thru a grinder
 
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