Interesting .22 shortage workaround

You now have 2 projectiles, The pellet and the JB pellet Neat!!!

 

edRange report:

Still have all my fingers.

The results were, well... inconclusive.

I brought two firearms with me, a bolt action rifle and a single action revolver. I fired a few rounds of standard .22lr to insure functioning and both proved OK. Next I chambered and extracted a ramset blank from each without firing as another function test and then fired just a blank from each. I'll admit to a wee bit of apprehension about firing one of the epoxied pellets first off so I chambered a pellet and then a blank behind it and fired them. Empty casings extracted and ejected easily. I did not hear any "ping" from the steel I had shot with the .22lr so I visually checked each bore and found them partially blocked. I removed the blockage and found little lead rings.



I then chambered one of the improvised rounds and fired again with pretty much the same results.

Another little lead ring.



I know the focus isn't the best (phone camera) but if you look close you can see fussy images of the ridges where the epoxy remained.

Both with the pellet loaded separately and epoxied the charge (#3) the pellet traveled just a few inches down the bore before the charge blew the top of the pellet leaving the skirting behind.

Summary; The pellets I used were different from what was used in the video as were the firearms. The ramset charges were the same. Perhaps with the same pellets this might work, or a lighter charge, or an older, "looser" barrel.

At least now I know how the guys on Mythbusters feel.

If any other monkeys want to give this a go, please post your results.

 

Might be time to try a jacketed bullet.

 

Just maybe, if you use Bees Wax to attach the pellet to the charge, the lead skirt will not detach. Not to mention that it will smell better.

 

Even with a loose pellet - no adhesive used - the top of the pellet was blown off leaving a little lead ring. If anyone was to attempt this I'd suggest trying the No.1 or No. 2 charge. It also might help to check several brands of pellet to see if one is better suited than the others.

One thing I left out is I did load five improvised rounds into a magazine for the rifle and cycled them through the action without firing them and they all fed and ejected without issues.

The big issue is finding a pellet/charge combo which would work in the gun you have.

 

There are heavier weight .22 pellets with longer cylindrical heads, that would hold together better. Likely not available in local big box stores, check online with AirgunDepot or PyramidAir........ ;-)
Using a fiber bore-cleaning pellet under the lead pellet might work well too, like the base wad in a shotshell?

 

Sabot type also exist as well as solids.

 

Thanks NSSneaky

 

Did you seat the pellet on the round when you "Hand loaded" them? If you did... Consider the distance from your charge to the pellet... the propellant charge placed too close to the pellet may cause the "rings" as they are pushed onto the crimps... try setting the distance .25-.3 inches from the charge

just a thought... YMMV

 

Was wondering if a non lead pellet might work better then lead. Thinking it is a harder metal, anyone know?

 

What about bb's and beeswax?

 

Would work but accuracy would probably suffer since the BB might not engage the rifling.

 

Standsrd bb is 6mm but 8mm is also available. I'm sure, other sizes of ball bearings would also be available.

 

I would be wary using steel bearings in any rifled barrel... Its bad for the rifling and can form a barrel obstruction from hell.. if you are not careful....

 

Yep, it would need to be undersized, and wadded. Much like black powder.

 

Looks like lead F buckshot would work at .220". For $37 you can get 3456 projectiles.

Super Buck Lead #F (8 lb/jar) .220"-Ballistic Products

 

what about swedging 22 bullets out of a harder aloy? air pellets are made out of the softest lead posible. harder pellets would probly hold