You'll probably never see this again

michaelclm · May 23, 2011

I was in the used book store this weekend and found this. This is from the 1963 edition of the Popular Mechanics Do-it-yourself Encyclopedia.
So...how many of you 'silver shooters'

did this or saw it done? I know the cowboy speed shooters use wax bullets I just never saw this suggested use of them before.

TroyF · May 23, 2011

I saw something similar in Bill Jordan's book. Very cool.

The Antichrome · May 23, 2011

The next issue: "How to make your own eye and ear protection" ;-)

HMFIC · May 23, 2011

LOL... I suppose it can be done, but it's still going to be loud and fill the air. You might even get the neighbors to call the police on you if they imagine you murdered someone in the house lol.

Just for fun, load up an empty primered case and go out to your garage to shoot it. You'll swear it's almost just as loud as a live cartridge.

I have some of the old Speer plastic bullets and cases that you can press fit a primer in and shoot over and over. They were designed for this purpose too but I guess never really caught on that much.

dennishoddy · May 23, 2011

Back in the day, I built dozens of those wax bullet cases for people. I can assure you, the wax will put a dent in the side of a metal trash can using the shotgun primer.
I have the plastic bullets from speer in .38. Using a shotgun primer, they will penetrate a 20 ga piece of aluminum sheet metal.
I recently built some .223 cases that use a shotgun primer to shoot a .22 lead pellet. They will completely pass through a 1X4. They have a pretty loud snap when shot from an ar.

michaelclm · May 23, 2011

Dennis,

I remember you making those pellet rounds. That was, and is, pretty cool.

I won't assume that if one did this in 1963 that there wouldn't be a knock at the door of the uniformed variety but you have to admit: It is a testament to just how far removed from mainstream society the gun culture has become. You'll get more unwanted attention than you could ever imagine if you do this today, I'm sure.

It's a good thing I never saw this article when I was a kid. Dad's drill press? Check. Mom's canning wax? Check. Mom's Colt Police Match 6" .38(Yep, Mom's)? Check.

rehi · May 25, 2011

When I was a kid Bill Jordan used to come to the ORA annual meetings and Red Castle's meetings once or twice a year and put on a fast draw demonstration with wax bullets.

dennishoddy · May 25, 2011

They can be a lot of fun to shoot!

TroyF · May 25, 2011

viloria said:
When I was a kid Bill Jordan used to come to the ORA annual meetings and Red Castle's meetings once or twice a year and put on a fast draw demonstration with wax bullets.

I hate you....

okie-carbine · May 25, 2011

wow that is pretty cool

Rollinblok · May 26, 2011

TroyF said:
I hate you....

Add me to the list.
He was an amazing shot even when I saw him and he was in his 70's probably.
The two memories that have stayed with me are how large his hands where.
I don't have small hands but when we shook hands mine disappeared.
He also had "something" that you knew he would not be the person to trifle with.