Silicone?

[JohnCriswell]

I have read about people cutting birdshot shells to make a poor man's slug. I have also read about people emptying birdshot shells into melted wax and pouring the wax/shot combo back into the shell. But what if you squirted a little bit of silicone into the shell through the crimp side and let it cure? Even if it wasn't enough to bind all the balls together, you should still have a decent portion of them that would stay together until they hit your target. Can anyone forsee any safety issues with this?

[Dr Rockso]

As long as you use two part silicone RTV I don't think it would cause a problem. Just squirting silicone caulking into the shell might make a mess if it doesn't get enough exposure to air to fully cure.

[CK_32]

Bro go to Walmart and buy a box of super x slugs for $6...

Unless your doing it for the interest in making it. Then go for it just be safe. By if your lookin to save $$ 12 stuff from Walmart is pretty dam cheap. If you can't afford that maybe you should find a new hobby.


Woo 4,000th post almost an addict

[meaty-btz]

I wouldn't use silly-cone.

I don't cut shells, they cause feed issues. They were done in the days when everyone used break action single and double barreled weapons. Where such a change actually works well and is perfectly safe.

Wax works great. Remove crimp pour out shot into melted wax scoop melted wax+shot mixture back into shell set out to dry, shoot, enjoy.

[JohnCriswell]

Bro go to Walmart and buy a box of super x slugs for $6...

Unless your doing it for the interest in making it. Then go for it just be safe. By if your lookin to save $$ 12 stuff from Walmart is pretty dam cheap. If you can't afford that maybe you should find a new hobby.


Woo 4,000th post almost an addict

Yeah, I buy the 15rd Sluggers for around $12. I was just thinking of a SHTF type situation where I'm running low on slugs and buckshot, and all I have left is bird shot.

[2nd Shot]

The wax probably works since it's thin and runny if hot enough, and can seep in around the shot pellets, completely encapsulating them. It's also a lubricant if it touches the bore.

You're going to have some major problems with silicone though. The only way I could see it working is to pour out the shot into a small container, thoroughly mix silicone into the pellets to make a thick paste, then scrape it back into the shell. It's much too thick to just soak its way through the pellets. If it cures ok in the re crimped shell, it'll probably leave streaks of silicone in the barrel, which may or may not build up, burn, or otherwise foul the bore.

Either way though, in the interests of safety I'd highly recommend that you not make yourself a potential bore obstruction, or tamper with the weight of the payload or powder, unless you like to live on the edge.

[BigDogatPlay]

I'd be a little concerned with any chemicals resident in the silicone compound adversely impacting powder. The other downsides mentioned by 2nd Shot above are all valid, IMO.

If you are of a mind to make these, use wax.