22LR Ammo -> Snap Cap / Dummy

[energizer]

Hello,

I would like to make a snap cap out of a live 22LR round. Please let me know if this is safe and feasible:

1. Remove the lead bullet using pliers - Is it safe?
2. Remove the powder
3. Glue the lead bullet back
4. Make a 5 cent snap cap

What do you think?

Thanks.

[GSwain]

No, there will still be priming compounds that can pop the bullet out. If you want to do it that way, use an expended case that has been fired and do the same thing.

[HKMadness]

Do you want it to make noise?
Or just a dummy round you can dry fire?

[energizer]

OK, so just take an expended brass casing, remove lead from live round and glue it to the spent round.

Is it safe to pull the lead out of the brass using pliers?
Is there any safer method?

Thanks.

[energizer]

Do you want it to make noise?
Or just a dummy round you can dry fire?

No noise, just a few safe rounds to practice rather than buying snap caps for more than 5 cents each. Also if dry firing is done, they (snap caps) only last 4-5 cycles.

Looking at your question makes me believe that striking just the primer with firing pin will make noise; With no powder present. Do I understand it correctly?

Thanks.

[HKMadness]

Yes, it certainly could. As stated, priming compound (which ignites the powder) could build up enough pressure to cause a squib. Im not %100 sure if rimfires will do it all the time, but (centerfire) cartridges put through that process you describe definitely will.

Many will say that pulling a bullet apart like that is a stupid thing to do. They're not wrong, it is "dangerous". I'd recommend you don't do it. If you decide to do it anyway, wear safety glasses or preferably a face shield and make sure no one is around unprotected. Don't pinch the rim with the pliers either.

If you don't know about squibs, Brandon Lee was killed by a bullet that became lodged in the barrel of a gun, and a blank round was subsequently fired behind it. The actor that fired the blank round didn't know (for some reason) that the bullet was lodged in the barrel. This occurred because the props people made their "homemade" dummy rounds out of live cartridges. I've made my own too, but you have to know what you are doing and what could potentially result indirectly.

[energizer]

Yes, it certainly could. As stated, priming compound (which ignites the powder) could build up enough pressure to cause a squib. Im not %100 sure if rimfires will do it all the time, but centerfire primers definitely will.

On the other hand the lead deprived rounds can be a by-product to make noise. They won't feed or cycle though.

[HKMadness]

On the other hand the lead deprived rounds can be a by-product to make noise. They won't feed or cycle though.

They could still feed when you cycle the action, maybe jam, maybe not. They wont cycle semi automatically when you fire them, but they could manually if you cycle the slide again, unless of course if they jam.

[energizer]

They should still feed, maybe jam, maybe not. They wont cycle semi automatically, but they could manually, unless they jam.

Thanks, but the question remains: Is it safe to use two pliers to remove the lead by twisting and wiggling?

[HKMadness]

I was editing post 6 while you were reading, go back and check it out.

[energizer]

Yes, it certainly could. As stated, priming compound (which ignites the powder) could build up enough pressure to cause a squib. Im not %100 sure if rimfires will do it all the time, but (centerfire) cartridges put through that process you describe definitely will.

Many will say that pulling a bullet apart like that is a stupid thing to do. They're not wrong, it is "dangerous". I'd recommend you don't do it. If you decide to do it anyway, wear safety glasses or preferably a face shield and make sure no one is around unprotected. Don't pinch the rim with the pliers either.

If you don't know about squibs, Brandon Lee was killed by a bullet that became lodged in the barrel of a gun, and a blank round was subsequently fired behind it. The actor that fired the blank round didn't know (for some reason) that the bullet was lodged in the barrel. This occurred because the props people made their "homemade" dummy rounds out of live cartridges. I've made my own too, but you have to know what you are doing and what could potentially result indirectly.

I've had some Remington "Golden Bullets" where the bullet was rotating freely. So if one places one pliers few mm away from neck (towards the rim) and another one few mm away from the neck towards the bullet. It would not pinch the rim.

Is it only the rim that is sensitive ot the body also?

Just trying to educate myself.

Thanks.

[HKMadness]

Exerting pressure on the case away from the rim could be bad. Just remember you are dealing with a live round. Reloading manuals state that primers are subject to spontaneous detonation at any time. This is why we wear safety glasses when handling primers and live ammo.

How old are you? If you're relatively young, I suggest you don't mess with live rounds like this. Google primers, gun powder, and ammunition if you really want to be educated about these things. You won't regret it, and will learn a lot. There are a bunch of videos on youtube with kids doing this and the comment sections are full of people telling them how stupid they are for doing it, especially those that don't wear safety glasses.

[energizer]

centerfire ammo

Not limiting to 22LR (rimfire ammo), I would like to make some 9mm snap caps also.

Is that less dangerous as the rim is not sensitive to pressure?
Does the danger still persist if it is a centerfire cartridge?

In case of centerfire:

1, use spent cartridge,
2. remove primer (user primer removal tool or drill the primer)
3. remove the lead bullet from live cartridge
4 glue it to the spent + drilled primer cartridge

In case of 9mm, I should be able to buy just the lead bullet or ask for a few bare bullets from fellow local re-loaders. This would avoid the use of pliers and hence avoid danger.

What do you say?

Thanks.

[lpspinner]

OK, Midway has a package of 12 for 10.99 estimate $20 with s/h if that's all you're ordering.

So you want to risk your eye, hands other body parts, maybe even your life to save 20 bucks?

[lpspinner]

If you use a spent 9mm casing, do you have reloading equipment to resize the case? Cause when it's fired, it expands and wont fit in your chamber.