Buck
shot has a usage, birdshot has a usage, and Slugs have a usage, but what
happens when these simple projectiles can’t be purchased? Answer: You make your
own.
My grandfather once said that with a shed
roof, a metal pail of hot lead, a ladle, and a bucket of water you could make
your own birdshot. He said he could never get the shot perfectly round using
this technique, and most droplets of lead seem to look like tiny tadpoles with
tails. My improvised journey didn’t involve a homemade shot tower, but instead
household and hardware store materials. Let me explain each and every
experiment:
1.) Wire- My dad brought a large roll of
field wire from Tractor Supply about eight months ago in order to build an
electric fence for his goats. He gave me the left over wire, and with a pair of
Lineman pliers I cut the wire into tiny little pieces. It was time consuming,
and my hand ended up with blisters but the result was decent. These little
devils would travel at high velocity, and would mangle up a soda can. I would
compare it to #11 or #12 shot due to their size, and they would stick into ¾
inch plywood. Each piece of wire was around 1/16th of an inch long.
2.) Lead fishing sinkers- These little
sluggers make damn good improvised shot. They are the closest to the real
thing, but the cost is the true downfall. Make sure to close them shut before
reloading with them.
3.) Five balls of death- this reloading
technique involves using five round lead sinkers and each of them snapped to a
single piece of 10lbs test fishing line. I refer to it as the “five balls of
death” because it comes out of the barrel like a bolo. Getting them to fit
correctly inside the wad is the only trouble.
4.) Standard BBs- This is the easiest and
cheapest alternative to the real thing. I use Daisy brand BBs, and a container
of around 1,000 is fairly cheap and about the same size as #1 lead shot. This
is my preferred alternative.
5.) Airsoft BBs- The plastic airsoft BBs make
a perfect less than lethal projectile. These BBs are a bit bigger than standard
zinc coated metal BBs, and their range is limited due to their weight. Perfect
for scaring off stray dogs that tear out your garbage, just make sure the BBs
don’t hit them in the eyes.
6.) Homemade
Slug- I have yet to try this method, but I saw a YouTube video once where a boy
drilled a hole in a small board and poured hot melted wheel weight lead into
it. The end result was a makeshift 12 gauge slug.
7.) Rocks and Pebbles- This method works well
with limestone gravel about the size of a fingertip. Measure it out properly
using the measuring spoon that comes with the Lee Loader, I have yet to see any
ill results but the sharp edges might scratch the inside of the barrel.
If I get time I will
take a few photos of some simple cardboard improvised wads I made awhile back,
and do a How-To post on how to make them. With my busy schedule, don’t hold
your breath. J
Until next time---- Travel Trailer
Hermit---- Signing off----
In a SHTF scenario it will not matter but it is illegal to use lead shot for most game. The odds of being caught might be slim but as long as steel shot is available why chance it?
ReplyDeleteI hope your still having internet problems and have not given up on posting. Dakin's site is first in my book, but yours has become a close second, like Dr Evil and Mini Me....
ReplyDeleteMiss your post, come back soon. D
ReplyDeleteWell.... going on two weeks and no postings.
ReplyDeleteApparently the hermit blew his fucking face off while reloading shotshells (maybe killed a neighbor too, etc., etc.)?
Another potentially promising website down the drain. Scratch this one off my bookmarks.
Exactly; nothing worse than a promising new blog just getting off the ground, and no sooner than it does, the blog owner burns out and leaves his followers hanging without an explanation?
DeleteOh well, at least we still have Dakin. He's consistent and puts out an entertaining, and generally informative daily article.