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Reloading blanks...
MosinNagantDisciple
Member Posts: 2,612
I want to make a few blank (rifle) cartridges, and I have a few questions... is there a good way to keep the powder in the casing that doesn't involve horribly bending the case mouth? Also, how much powder should I use? Same charge as if I were loading a bullet, or reduced?
Comments
First, I claim no responsibility for this type of project. In fact, I'm merely going to C&P some information from another source:
Q. How can I make blank ammunition for my rifle.
A. Blank ammunition for manually operated rifles (not semi autos) is not difficult to make. Before going any further on this topic some warnings. First, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER take the powder from GI .30-06 blanks to use in other calibers. The EC powder used in those blanks was also used as a grenade filler and pressures can get out of hand VERY quickly. Second do not attempt to use these home made blanks with blank firing adapters on self loading firearms.
For 308 / .30-06 and other similar capacity cartridges try 12-20 gr of either RED DOT or SR 4759, or 10-12 gr Unique (work up from the lower charge to get the desired results). You can close the case mouth with a small piece of kapock or quilters batting and a drop of shellac or you can use a special rosette crimp die available on special order from RCBS and use a drop of shellac to seal the hole. The rosette crimp helps with feeding.
Some folks have reported getting good results by using a sharpened case to punch out pieces of 1/8" felt as a closure wad which are then sealed in place with a drop of shellac and a light roll crimp. (You can also try using a mild roll crimp or even using a small caliber die of the same basic case size (such as a .243 for the .308 or .270 for the .30-06) to provide a reduction in case mouth size.) Never use any hard material for the closure wad as you will have a projectile capable of inflecting a serious wound.
If you need specialized blank cartridges in quantity for organizational or theatrical use try contacting one of the surplus ammunition distributors or one of the major commercial blank ammo producers such as Jomar in Phoenix, AZ (http://www.citlink.net/citlink/j/joemar/).
Also, please review the the question on the dangers of blank ammunition on Page 1 of these Q&A pages before using blank ammunition.
http://home.sprynet.com/~frfrog2/miscellh.htm#make blank