Making up very light (minimum) loads

josquin

josquin

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I want to keep bullet samples from my guns to help with identification in case of theft. I figure that shooting into modelling clay (or...? Water would be ideal but is messy) with very light loads should do the trick. Calibres include .222, .303, 45-70, 9.3x57, 44 Mag. & .45 ACP. I want to use really minimum loads, basically just enough to get the bullet safely out of the barrel. Powder-wise, I have W231, 2400, RL 7, RL15, IMR 4895 & H335. How light can I go and what are the risks?

:) Stuart
 
josquin said:
Bullets can be matched to rifling from a specific gun. (Theft is perhaps more of a problem with handguns than rifles.) My guns are very securely stored, but I'm just "gilding the lily."

:) Stuart
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I have doubt's about the everyday CSI ability to match bullets to specific guns, and even if they could, guess what...they're not gonna rely on your 'soft loads' they'll test fire the gun itself and compare that to any slug recovered at the crime scene.

I just can't see any benefit to having fired slugs at the ready to offer to any investigator coming to your house inquiring about stolen guns.
 
Who do you think will do the comparison tests? Who do you think will pay for it? Neither police nor insurance companies will do either. It doesn't take much technology to alter a barrel either.
In any case, a cast bullet will do. Use cast bullet data from your manual. Where you'll find 9.3 cast bullets is another question. A minimum jacketed load will do for it.
Modelling clay will explode with any load. Water is unsafe. Hammering a bullet through the barrel isn't difficult nor unsafe. Use a brass rod and plastic mallet. Still a waste of your time though.
 
GSoD said:
A little weird to me, but most reloading manuals state minimum recommended loads.
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OK- it may be rather weird idea, but gunnutz come up with weird ideas sometimes. (What, US? Never!) I'm not asking about the practicality or legal followup procedures etc., just how to achieve the desired end, so let's keep the replies on topic.

Yes, gunsmiths often have bullet catching boxes, I remember they had one at Harkley & Haywood in Vancouver decades ago. (Alas, I'm old enough to remember them!) Often a water-filled tank is used, but the idea of firing into a 45-gallon drum of water in my basement doesn't seem to appeal to me.

As to "loading manuals stating minimum loads", as I read the manuals, those are suggested STARTING loads for a particular powder, usually about 10% below recommended max. loads. That is plainly not what I'm after.

:) Stuart
 
Find a pile of sand. Use the minimum stated load in the manuals and go shooting.

I've pulled quite a few undamaged rounds out of sand piles.

Also once you get below a certain case capacity pressure problems and burning rate problems arise.

There are some powders made for cowboy action shooting that are designed to help safely build light loads.

YMMV
Sosa
 
I have a swimming pool in the house. I have found that the deep end safely catches any bullet, pistol or rifle. the kids like to dive down and recover them.

So deep water works. I think two feet would be plenty for a moderate load handgun load. Got water handy?

here is another way to do it in your basement. Buy a pillow sized bag of dacron used for stuffing pillows. Take it out of the bag and put it on a chair. Shoot a mild load with 231, Bullseye or 700x into the Dacron. the bulet will get wrapped in Dacron, and if mild, will fly across the room, with the ball of Dacron, which slows it down real fast.

To develop you super mild load, shoot the gun into a block of firwood on your bench. I seem to recall using loads like 1.5gr of Bullseye.
 
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