More fun than sliced bread!
- Thread starter Tamara
- Start date
AngusPodgorney
New member
Forgive my ignorance, do you need reloading equipment to make these?
Nope. All you need are your bare hands and a hard surface to seat the occasional recalcitrant primer. A properly-sized punch is an asset to poke out spent primers.
My price, with my feeble employee discount, was $4.60/50 for bullets and likewise for cases. Your local retailer should be able to plop them into your hand for $5.00-6.00/50 for ditto. Figure $10-12 for 50 rounds of reusable giggles.
The Speer plastic bullets for .45 are a hoot.
You use standard .45 ACP brass, but I went ahead and drilled out the primer flash holes, then marked the cases for plastic bullet use only. You have to hand-cycle the slide on a 1911, but they feed just fine.
Another neat practice tool I've had for years is the Loch Leven Convert-a-Pell primer-powered .177" pellet barrel and sub-caliber cartridge adapters for my 1911's. They use a primer to shoot a normal skirted air-rifle pellet at pretty decent velocities through a barrel insert. Heck, I don't even know if they're in business anymore.
You use standard .45 ACP brass, but I went ahead and drilled out the primer flash holes, then marked the cases for plastic bullet use only. You have to hand-cycle the slide on a 1911, but they feed just fine.
Another neat practice tool I've had for years is the Loch Leven Convert-a-Pell primer-powered .177" pellet barrel and sub-caliber cartridge adapters for my 1911's. They use a primer to shoot a normal skirted air-rifle pellet at pretty decent velocities through a barrel insert. Heck, I don't even know if they're in business anymore.
Bumping this thread. Here's a URL for the Speer Plastic Training Bullets.
http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/315781
Speer doesn't seem to list them on their website...
These are not budget-busters. They're less than a box of regular ammo. And they're re-usable. Practically forever. If you don't shoot them into yellowjacket-infested ivy like Tamara did.
I use the .38 bullets in .380acp and 9mm Semiautos. No, they don't cycle the action. But you can still run draw/present/fire drills in your garage. And also tap/rack/bang drills.
I actually chrono-ed these, and they DO 400fps+ from my semi's (including a Kel-Tec P-3AT.) So I'm sure they'll hurt ya bad if they hit you. I can also testify that they ricochet mightily if you miss your backstop and hit a hard object.
My favorite backstop is an OLD heavy blanket hung from a line. They'll shoot right through a lighter blanket. If you hang the blanket so the bottom foot or so of it is spread out on the floor in front of the hanging portion, its pretty easy to retreive the bullets. They just fall on the outstretched portion of the blanket.
You obviously can't use the rimmed plastic cases in a semiauto. You use your regular brass cases. Its probably possible to use them with no reloading equipment. Use a punch to punch out the old primers. Press the new primers in on a hard surface. But reloading equipment makes it go a lot faster.
I give 'em a 9.5 outa 10 on the fun-meter. And speaking practically, my time and accuracy in drawing from concealment and getting the first round on target has improved noticeably since I started practicing regularly in the garage with my regular carry rig.
http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/315781
Speer doesn't seem to list them on their website...
These are not budget-busters. They're less than a box of regular ammo. And they're re-usable. Practically forever. If you don't shoot them into yellowjacket-infested ivy like Tamara did.
I use the .38 bullets in .380acp and 9mm Semiautos. No, they don't cycle the action. But you can still run draw/present/fire drills in your garage. And also tap/rack/bang drills.
I actually chrono-ed these, and they DO 400fps+ from my semi's (including a Kel-Tec P-3AT.) So I'm sure they'll hurt ya bad if they hit you. I can also testify that they ricochet mightily if you miss your backstop and hit a hard object.
My favorite backstop is an OLD heavy blanket hung from a line. They'll shoot right through a lighter blanket. If you hang the blanket so the bottom foot or so of it is spread out on the floor in front of the hanging portion, its pretty easy to retreive the bullets. They just fall on the outstretched portion of the blanket.
You obviously can't use the rimmed plastic cases in a semiauto. You use your regular brass cases. Its probably possible to use them with no reloading equipment. Use a punch to punch out the old primers. Press the new primers in on a hard surface. But reloading equipment makes it go a lot faster.
I give 'em a 9.5 outa 10 on the fun-meter. And speaking practically, my time and accuracy in drawing from concealment and getting the first round on target has improved noticeably since I started practicing regularly in the garage with my regular carry rig.
trapshooter
Moderator
I figured out the primer thing.
Unfortunately, I used a blanket that was too thin for a backstop.
Noticed ricochets out from the blanket and back through the target in the wrong direction.
I found 'em all, (6), but I dinged the back of the bookshelf in the basement that I had suspended the blanket and tarket from. My bride was less than impressed.
I have been banished to the garage.
I have to re-engineer my backstop. I'm going to find some heavy material to put back there, once I design a target/backstop frame that I can hinge to the garage wall by the door.
Good group, though.
The only serious problem was primer set-back, messing up cylinder rotation. Any ideas?
Unfortunately, I used a blanket that was too thin for a backstop.
Noticed ricochets out from the blanket and back through the target in the wrong direction.
I found 'em all, (6), but I dinged the back of the bookshelf in the basement that I had suspended the blanket and tarket from. My bride was less than impressed.
I have been banished to the garage.
I have to re-engineer my backstop. I'm going to find some heavy material to put back there, once I design a target/backstop frame that I can hinge to the garage wall by the door.
Good group, though.
The only serious problem was primer set-back, messing up cylinder rotation. Any ideas?
Speer says primer set-back is due to the LOW pressure of the primer only power, and the light projectile. In higher pressure rounds, the pressure of the case pushing against the frame prevents the primer from setting back. With low pressure, its freer to move.
Speer No. 13 reloading manual says if its a problem, then widen the flash hole with a drill. (Of course, any cases you modify like that must not be used for regular ammo.)
Speer No. 13 reloading manual says if its a problem, then widen the flash hole with a drill. (Of course, any cases you modify like that must not be used for regular ammo.)
They don't hurt too much from 25 yards and out! Back in the stupid 70's my best friend popped me from behind at about 30 yards with a K-38 as I remember. He hit me on a leather jacket and it didn't hurt at all, then a low hit whacked me on the can and that smarted a bit! Don't do this at home! 
40Cal@earthlink.net
Inactive
Loud!
My 100 plastic .38 cases and bullets just arrived. I loaded all 100 and made haste to the garage. Hung a moving blanket (great idea Quartus!).. set up a cardboard target holder and target. Banged off 5 from my Taurus 85. None fired! Primers looked like really light strikes. Ran them through again and some fired. Kept squeezing the trigger until all had fired.
However, the sound was much louder than expected. My wife went outside of the garage to listen. Her comment was, "If I walked by and heard that, I would call the cops." She said it sounded like shooting. Lots less noise than a live round, but still very clear from the street.
So do you all have basements to shoot in, or very understanding neighbors?
My 100 plastic .38 cases and bullets just arrived. I loaded all 100 and made haste to the garage. Hung a moving blanket (great idea Quartus!).. set up a cardboard target holder and target. Banged off 5 from my Taurus 85. None fired! Primers looked like really light strikes. Ran them through again and some fired. Kept squeezing the trigger until all had fired.
However, the sound was much louder than expected. My wife went outside of the garage to listen. Her comment was, "If I walked by and heard that, I would call the cops." She said it sounded like shooting. Lots less noise than a live round, but still very clear from the street.
So do you all have basements to shoot in, or very understanding neighbors?
trapshooter
Moderator
All the neighbors have one acre lots, so we're fairly far (enough) away from each other that primer dets aren't a big deal.
I'm working on a target frame, in between other projects. Got lots of old towels and a moving blanket ready. If I could just get my bride to agree on 'our' priorities, I'd be in business.
I'm working on a target frame, in between other projects. Got lots of old towels and a moving blanket ready. If I could just get my bride to agree on 'our' priorities, I'd be in business.
Tamara
Like Denny I have used these black/ red, the Speer rubber bullets, and wax bullets.
"Excuse" was to teach new shooters, especially kids - "Truth" - heck these things are way to cool and fun.
I'm waiting for Tamara to post ...she has cats....*grin*
I had a dog once that enjoyed guns anything to do with shooting, used to help me reload...well little fellow got smart one day, he knocked the box over an wouldn't let me have the bullets back, until he got treats...
Your cats ought to have field day with these....
Like Denny I have used these black/ red, the Speer rubber bullets, and wax bullets.
"Excuse" was to teach new shooters, especially kids - "Truth" - heck these things are way to cool and fun.
I'm waiting for Tamara to post ...she has cats....*grin*
I had a dog once that enjoyed guns anything to do with shooting, used to help me reload...well little fellow got smart one day, he knocked the box over an wouldn't let me have the bullets back, until he got treats...
Your cats ought to have field day with these....
FirstFreedom
Moderator
Shootin round the house
Yeah, they're a hoot - cept I just use regular brass cases for .45 with the speer black plastic bullets. All you need is a hand priming tool. You simply hand-seat the bullets. And yes, the 4 rules of gun safety apply - they aren't toys - only downside is the lead in the primers indoors - wondering if you can buy lead-free primers by themselves, or are these only available in loaded ammo, such as Winclean? Glad you mentioned this - haven't broken them out in a few years - I shall have to, especially now that I have an indoor bullet trap. Have to hand-cyle the .45 slide though.....man these would be a real hoot in a .45 acp revolver, wouldn't they?. BTW, I shot some .22 mag in said home bullet trap, and it made bulbous protrusions out the back of the side plate of the trap - looks like it almost punched through. So .22 lr is max from now on in that dude. I'll bet it could contain .38 special, .380 auto, or even .45 acp lead, given the bullet width to power ratio, but those would be too loud for the city here, so never tried those. But airgun/pellet, .22 colibri, .22 short/long/lr, and the speer bullets are fun fun fun in my 10-yard hallway range.
Ya know, I think I've about justified snagging a .45 acp revolver to complement my .45 1911s, for two reasons: (a) shootin the speer bullets round the house without having to hand cycle the slide, and (b) during bayou excursions, as "snake medicine" for use with the 45 acp birdshot rounds - also don't cycle in an auto. Excellent - I love gaining justifications for new guns!
Yeah, they're a hoot - cept I just use regular brass cases for .45 with the speer black plastic bullets. All you need is a hand priming tool. You simply hand-seat the bullets. And yes, the 4 rules of gun safety apply - they aren't toys - only downside is the lead in the primers indoors - wondering if you can buy lead-free primers by themselves, or are these only available in loaded ammo, such as Winclean? Glad you mentioned this - haven't broken them out in a few years - I shall have to, especially now that I have an indoor bullet trap. Have to hand-cyle the .45 slide though.....man these would be a real hoot in a .45 acp revolver, wouldn't they?. BTW, I shot some .22 mag in said home bullet trap, and it made bulbous protrusions out the back of the side plate of the trap - looks like it almost punched through. So .22 lr is max from now on in that dude. I'll bet it could contain .38 special, .380 auto, or even .45 acp lead, given the bullet width to power ratio, but those would be too loud for the city here, so never tried those. But airgun/pellet, .22 colibri, .22 short/long/lr, and the speer bullets are fun fun fun in my 10-yard hallway range.
Ya know, I think I've about justified snagging a .45 acp revolver to complement my .45 1911s, for two reasons: (a) shootin the speer bullets round the house without having to hand cycle the slide, and (b) during bayou excursions, as "snake medicine" for use with the 45 acp birdshot rounds - also don't cycle in an auto. Excellent - I love gaining justifications for new guns!
Same animal, different color?
I just dug out a bunch of plastic cases and wadcutters I bought years ago. They are black, rimmed, plastic .38 diameter cases, 3/4" long, and have blue snap-in plastic hollow wadcutters somewhat under 1/2". They are headstamped "WALMAX INC." with pat. pend. They appear to take large pistol primers. Some of the cases and bullets appear black and grungy from use, they do get a little hot from the primers I guess. I wondered if these are identical to the ones you are now getting out there? Would be great for ccw presentation/draw training after dry fire training. At the distances involved for a snub I suppose they are more than accurate enough and safe enough. Guess I could get a combat target and practice at home for quick draw snubbie defense. Wonder if someone has gotten inquisitive enough to experiment-how about a match head in the bullet for a smoke tracer effect?
Somehow cut a notch in the nose and make whislers? Devious ideas anyone?
I just dug out a bunch of plastic cases and wadcutters I bought years ago. They are black, rimmed, plastic .38 diameter cases, 3/4" long, and have blue snap-in plastic hollow wadcutters somewhat under 1/2". They are headstamped "WALMAX INC." with pat. pend. They appear to take large pistol primers. Some of the cases and bullets appear black and grungy from use, they do get a little hot from the primers I guess. I wondered if these are identical to the ones you are now getting out there? Would be great for ccw presentation/draw training after dry fire training. At the distances involved for a snub I suppose they are more than accurate enough and safe enough. Guess I could get a combat target and practice at home for quick draw snubbie defense. Wonder if someone has gotten inquisitive enough to experiment-how about a match head in the bullet for a smoke tracer effect?
Somehow cut a notch in the nose and make whislers? Devious ideas anyone?
Paul Fitz Jones
New member
Speer Plastic Ammo
I have some from the 70's and was given some recently and my only complaint is when their case splits.
I wish that the reuseable Red Jet Fiber stiffened wax practice bullets for normal .brass cases were still made. I still have mine and have used them for a couple of decades.
I have some from the 70's and was given some recently and my only complaint is when their case splits.
I wish that the reuseable Red Jet Fiber stiffened wax practice bullets for normal .brass cases were still made. I still have mine and have used them for a couple of decades.
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trapshooter
Moderator
You know, we really are just a bunch of sick pups.
Ahhh, screw it. What the heck else do we have to do?
Ahhh, screw it. What the heck else do we have to do?