Yugoslavian M59/66, Grenade Launching, and Blanks/Reenactor Blanks

JasonKlinge

JasonKlinge

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So recently I have been doing some reading into rifle grenades and the M59/66 specifically and have been curious about launching dummy grenades out in the back field of my farm. I found a company out of the US called "Service Of Supply" who produce dummies made from aluminum and rubber for $27 a pop and will actually ship them to Canada, awesome! My concern is about the blanks themselves though. Typical rifle grenades are designed to be fired with a blank very close to the typical ball load of the rifle, where as these dummies are designed to work with reenactor blanks and aren't recommended to use the full power blanks. My question is if anyone has any experience loading their own blanks or know of a good source of reenactor blanks for such purposes? I've done a bit of looking around online and haven't been able to find anything outside of the US for the proper blanks and only limited load data found on forums that I am unsure of the safety and am cautious of. I am familiar with some reloading practices that could be relevant such as the fire forming of rifle cases with pistol powders and cream of wheat or sawdust. If I am to load my own it would be with the use of a proper blank crimp die like those offered by Hornady as to avoid anything but gasses from impacting the dummy. My brain wants to say a low charge of a powder like Unique or Bullseye would be the ticket but I would love to hear from some other nuts who are more well versed in the subject.

Rifle-Grenades-Oct13.jpg


Here's a link to the dummy grenades in question
http://www.serviceofsupply.com/product/grenade-rifle-rubber-reproduction/

Cheers

Jason MB
 
I believe re-enactment blanks are just “noise makers” and use low amounts of fast burning powder... which can be dangerous when launching grenades.

I’d find a formula for a grenade launching cartridge.
 
Last edited:
JasonKlinge said:
So recently I have been doing some reading into rifle grenades and the M59/66 specifically and have been curious about launching dummy grenades out in the back field of my farm. I found a company out of the US called "Service Of Supply" who produce dummies made from aluminum and rubber for $27 a pop and will actually ship them to Canada, awesome! My concern is about the blanks themselves though. Typical rifle grenades are designed to be fired with a blank very close to the typical ball load of the rifle, where as these dummies are designed to work with reenactor blanks and aren't recommended to use the full power blanks. My question is if anyone has any experience loading their own blanks or know of a good source of reenactor blanks for such purposes? I've done a bit of looking around online and haven't been able to find anything outside of the US for the proper blanks and only limited load data found on forums that I am unsure of the safety and am cautious of. I am familiar with some reloading practices that could be relevant such as the fire forming of rifle cases with pistol powders and cream of wheat or sawdust. If I am to load my own it would be with the use of a proper blank crimp die like those offered by Hornady as to avoid anything but gasses from impacting the dummy. My brain wants to say a low charge of a powder like Unique or Bullseye would be the ticket but I would love to hear from some other nuts who are more well versed in the subject.

Rifle-Grenades-Oct13.jpg


Here's a link to the dummy grenades in question
http://www.serviceofsupply.com/product/grenade-rifle-rubber-reproduction/

Cheers

Jason MB
Click to expand...

Western grenade launcher diam. is 22 mm. These gonna fit ?
 
When I acquired a Mas 36/51 I felt the itch to launch a few grenades as well. When we had trouble with smokeless powder not igniting, switched to FFFG black powder. A little bit messier but works great. Worked out that 40 g by volume of that powder launched to a consistent 125 meters. Don't have a crimping die, so simply plugged the mouth of the case with soap. A bit of a rough and ready solution all around, but works great.

I don't have any experience with the rubber repros, I have only used original surplus training grenades. My understanding is that the legit surplus grenade launching blanks were loaded to the nines..... with the Mas 36 they launched grenades near 400 meters.... that is a heck of a charge. I suspect those might rip apart a rubber grenade.
 
WARNING!

"DO NOT use normal "Sound and Flash" Blanks for Grenade Launching of any type (either Real grenades/Inert Dummies or other Substitutes.)

The Proper Grenade Launching Cartridge uses a medium to slow burning Powder, usually similar to the original Ball Load, to get the proper pressure Curve and Propulsive effect. Remember the pressure impulse has to Fill the empty Bore, and propel the "grenade" with just sufficient "Push" not to shatter or detonate it prematurely, nor Bulge the Barrel.("HI-pressure-Lo-Pressure Effect" used in all "bomb throwing" devices, such as Mortars, Shotgun-type GLs (M79, M203 etc.), and rifle grenades.)

Fast Pistol type (or Shotgun) Powders are used for "Maneuver" Blanks for the Flash and sound, and are loaded to operate the Auto mechanism sufficiently for "Functional" Use. Hence, they are High pressure (or specifically "High Port Pressure") to replicate the Gas pressures in Ball rounds, with a pressure curve that maintains the Port pressure at around 10,000 to 15,000 PSI for correct Gas/Recoil System operation. I won't go into the physics of the WW I "Bullet Trap" Grenade launching system, only to say it was a variation of the "Hi-P-Lo-P" system, allowing the use of Ball ammo to launch the grenade.

So, again, don't mess with normal "salute and maneuvered" blanks if you want to launch something, whether it is a tennis ball or a proper rifle grenade, or even a "Line Thrower" weight. Use the correct cartridge for the job, and be safe.

Regards,
Doc AV
AV Ballistics Film Ordnance Services.
Brisbane Australia."
 
The Wizard said:
WARNING!

"DO NOT use normal "Sound and Flash" Blanks for Grenade Launching of any type (either Real grenades/Inert Dummies or other Substitutes.)

The Proper Grenade Launching Cartridge uses a medium to slow burning Powder, usually similar to the original Ball Load, to get the proper pressure Curve and Propulsive effect. Remember the pressure impulse has to Fill the empty Bore, and propel the "grenade" with just sufficient "Push" not to shatter or detonate it prematurely, nor Bulge the Barrel.("HI-pressure-Lo-Pressure Effect" used in all "bomb throwing" devices, such as Mortars, Shotgun-type GLs (M79, M203 etc.), and rifle grenades.)

Fast Pistol type (or Shotgun) Powders are used for "Maneuver" Blanks for the Flash and sound, and are loaded to operate the Auto mechanism sufficiently for "Functional" Use. Hence, they are High pressure (or specifically "High Port Pressure") to replicate the Gas pressures in Ball rounds, with a pressure curve that maintains the Port pressure at around 10,000 to 15,000 PSI for correct Gas/Recoil System operation. I won't go into the physics of the WW I "Bullet Trap" Grenade launching system, only to say it was a variation of the "Hi-P-Lo-P" system, allowing the use of Ball ammo to launch the grenade.

So, again, don't mess with normal "salute and maneuvered" blanks if you want to launch something, whether it is a tennis ball or a proper rifle grenade, or even a "Line Thrower" weight. Use the correct cartridge for the job, and be safe.

Regards,
Doc AV
AV Ballistics Film Ordnance Services.
Brisbane Australia."
Click to expand...

With the value of these rifles, it would be stupid to take a chance on firing grenades. A lot of stress produced on the weapon , way more than ball cartridges and what they are designed for.

Grizz
 
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