Rock Salt Shells - Legal?

[ZapThyCat]

I sure would like some Rock Salt Shells, but I'm not totally sure they're legal. I have no reason to think they're not, but it's worth checking on these things.

Does anyone have a reloader that can make some of these? It would be nice to have some less-than-lethal rounds that sure would put a hurt on the bad guy....

[G17GUY]

Just hand load some; These days they could be more of a legal problem more than anything if you ask me.

[moulton]

Pro-tip: Dead people don't sue.....use buckshot

[Crusader]

The Box-O-Truth did a test with rocksalt shells, and if I remember correctly, they only punched holes in paper at about 5-10 feet, and even then it was only a couple holes. Basically they're completely ineffective.

I've heard of rocksalt shells being used during the early 20th century, but as far as I can tell, they're useless. Or rocksalt was on roids back in 1926.

But as said before, if you really want them, you can hand load them.

[BillCA]

Rock salt shells are part urban-legend and part truth. Some farmers did keep a few loaded like that to impart "wisdom" to youngsters (teens) using their lands for partying and carousing. At close range it'll sting like the dickens and at closer range get under the skin. And just the fact that Farmer John popped off a round was enough to convince young hooligans to take flight.

Downside today:
1. Trouble from the DA. If it wasn't a life threatening situation, you were still discharging a firearm, likely without being able to claim self-defense.

2. The DA can still classify it as a "deadly weapon" even loaded with rock salt because it fits the definition (projectiles, exploding gas, etc.)

3. As our training indicates, the only time you should use a firearm in in lawful self-defense. Not to "scare off" an intruder or give that back yard tresspasser "a lesson". Using rock-salt loads can be construed as wanting to "punish" someone outside of lawful self-defense.

If you want LTL loads, PMC, Federal and several other companies load rubber-ball buckshot. They're expensive though. (For that money, you should get buckshot-sized superballs! )

[ViPER395]

What about those 12-gauge pepper rounds?

I saw them listed somewhere. Whats the deal with those?

[Ballistic043]

3. As our training indicates, the only time you should use a firearm in in lawful self-defense. Not to "scare off" an intruder or give that back yard tresspasser "a lesson".

well, personally if an intruder is inside my house, you should know there will be a gun close by. if it means putting the sights between his eyes and scaring him off, then good, get off my property. he can call the cops if he wants to afterward

"officer, i broke into this guys house and he pointed a gun at me...."


i think you should re-iterate your saying to "the only time you should DISCHARGE a firearm..."

[-hanko]

It would be nice to have some less-than-lethal rounds that sure would put a hurt on the bad guy....

Wrong philosophy for home defense

-hanko

[Beelzy]

Rock salt loads may be construed as "cruel and unusual".

Beanbags are however politically correct. I keep a beanie for the first round
then buck for the rest. I'll be aiming for the head so even a bean bag will
incapacitate if I don't wish to kill the invader.

Dead criminals don't sue, but their loser next of kin does.

[Rob454]

Pro-tip: Dead people don't sue.....use buckshot

Youre right. but their families do.

[BlackDrop50]

Rubber Buckshot??

[sorensen440]

Dead men tell no tails in court
Its preferred to be the only witness

[Explicit]

I don't think i would want to shoot salt out of my shotgun. I would think that would screw up the barrel if not cleaned right?

[sorensen440]

Rubber Buckshot??

I have a box of s&b rubber ball rounds that I purchased as a curiosity
man would that hurt !
went through a piece of plywood at 10 yards

[Harbinger]

I'll be aiming for the head so even a bean bag will
incapacitate if I don't wish to kill the invader

After you've been jostled awake by breaking glass, scrambled for your gun, can't find the light, half (or un-) dressed, disoriented... you meet a silhouette, running for you in the hallway. You have 1/500th of a second to fire.

Sure, I can see a carefully aimed shot at the head. I can see it missing, hitting the wall, his leg, his shoulder and only pissing him off as he takes your shotgun away in the ensuing struggle.

As gun owners, we can envision all sorts of awesome optimum scenarios for self defense. The only one you're going to get is the one you don't suspect.

Don't mess around with less-than-lethal.

Mike