Completely off the wall question

[Clownpuncher]

I'm going to preface this with I don't think I would ever try it but it just got me thinking.

So, myself and a couple of buddies were looking at 22 cb rounds the other day for some pest control. We read that the CB round is basically nothing more than the projectile and a primer to propel it.

That got us thinking, could you use/reload other rounds like this? We talked about how this is basically a squb but we began to do some alternative thinking. My basic understanding is that a squib is when the projectile gets stuck in the barrel because there isn't enough pressure to push it out (like you forgot to put powder in the case). Now, when the round hits the lands, the lands squeeze the round a bit which is why you need so much pressure to push it out.

That being said, could you take a 9mm round (.355) and load it in a 357/38 casing (.357) and shoot it with nothing more than the primer? Im thinking that the .002 difference may make it so it doesn't get stuck in the barrel on the lands but the round is still big enough to shoot rather cleanly. Of course, it wouldn't be accurate but my thinking is it should at least launch it a few hundred fps.

Again, don't think I'd be crazy enough to try it, just wondering if our theory is completely off base or if anyone has been crazy enough to try it.

[lpspinner]

Sounds like you might like an X-ring bullet

[JSolie]

Years ago, I had one .38 spl get through without any powder in it. It was a 158gr swc. I forget what the powder charge was supposed to be. It was intended to be a pretty light round. I found it the hard way at the outdoor range one day when I fired the revolver and heard a pop (instead of a bang). What looked like a grape flew out of the barrel and hit the ground about 15 feet in front of me, rolled around a little bit and then got lost in the grass.

I know I got lucky that day, and was glad that the primer had enough "umph" to get the bullet out of the barrel.

Based on this experience, my conjecture would be that the bullet wouldn't go terribly far.

[Dark Mod]

That would almost definatley work with an undersized bullet, especially with a much lighter one. Ive actually done that a bit with paper wads and it works fine.

Oobviously if you did it with a heavy projectile thats not undersized youve basically just manufactured a squib

[huckberry668]

[QUOTE=Clownpuncher;8466405]
That being said, could you take a 9mm round (.355) and load it in a 357/38 casing (.357) and shoot it with nothing more than the primer? Im thinking that the .002 difference may make it so it doesn't get stuck in the barrel on the lands but the round is still big enough to shoot rather cleanly. Of course, it wouldn't be accurate but my thinking is it should at least launch it a few hundred fps.
QUOTE]

I assume you'll shoot it out of a revolver. It won't work because the lands themselves have thickness usually .004" each. ID at the grooves is .357" ID on the lands is .349" at the largest. Some revolver barrels have tighter specs. A .355" projectile won't squeeze thru .349" easily. You'll need a projectile smaller than .349". And the velocity won't be a 'few hundred fps with an standard bullet.

For your reference, a 148gr HBWC swaged bullet with 2.9grs of W231 travels 650 to 700fps out of a 6" barrel. It's still dangerous even at 100fps with a 38 cal metallic projectile.

The primer explosion will set the primer cup out of the pocket enough to jam the cylinder. You'll need to enlarge the flash hole of the brass even with the rubber X-Ring bullets

[rsrocket1]

You need to get a bullet mold and make some glue stick bullets. They are a ton of fun to shoot.

You simply lube up the bullet mold, heat up the glue stick gun, then inject it into the mold. Let it cool off, then cut off the sprue and stick the bullet into a fired/unsized/primed case all the way down. Be sure to clean off the lube from the mold if you intend to use them for real lead bullets.


They sound about as loud as a cap gun and will go right through a paper shopping bag or cardboard box with a towel inside to stop the bullet. The bullets are reusable too.
Just don't do it indoors, the primer is Lead Styphnate which contributes to lead poisoning, although no more than whay you breathe in an indoor range with poor ventilation.

These are ones I made and fired out of a 38 special. Eventually they get black and ratty, but you can always make more for cheap.

[Clownpuncher]

Thanks for all the inputs. Like I said, I don't think I'd ever try it but I figured that with all the experience on the board I'd get some valuable input. I really appreciate it.

I may try the glue stick one. That sounds like a kick.

Thanks again.

[twoforme2]

These are fun http://www.speer-bullets.com/product...g_bullets.aspx

[deac777]

Years ago my Dad and I would shoot a .38 spl revolver in our house using wax bullets and nothing more that magnum primers for propellant. The speer plastic bullets work quit well also

[TKM]

I was shooting Speer plastic 44 bullets in the house many many moon ago. Blew a beer can off of the VCR and pulled the gun back down (from its nonexistent recoil) and smoked the power button.

Had to start the VCR with a Q-Tip or toothpick from then on.

[brassburnz]

Here's a link to the Speer bullets. Used to shoot them in the house all the time.

http://www.speer-bullets.com/products/components/plastic_training_bullets.aspx

[Scout2Diesel]

The Speer's will last a while if you have a good target catch.

I'm dreaming of the day I have time to load up some 9mm bullets in a .35 remington case.

Tomorrow tomorrow tomorrow.....