Wax Slugs and Pressure?

[flmason]

Was watching some vids on wax slugs. Seem like an interesting idea, but I wonder about the pressure. Not just under ideal conditions, but at temperature extremes. Wax gets harder and softer in temps typically encountered in the U.S.  From rock hard in Colorado winter to  really soft, if not liquid in an Arizona summer.

So it would seem the pressure, performance and accuracy could be all over the place, just based on the weather.

Anyone know of any reliable loading data for this sort of thing?

Seems like a cost effective way to make a slug, if it's safe and effective. But of course you give up the ability to convert from shot to slug in the field a la cut shells. Also seems like a great way to tailor the weight of the slug.

Here's one vid. Claimed accuracy sound pretty terrible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBWWqXVbAfA

[rickyp]

this is an interesting concept but not real practical It will not give you good accuracy (the guy even said that)  and you will not have much consistancy  I doubt it would be good for much but playing oe close reange
I doubut you will have much issues with pressure. you can not get the same ammount of shot back in the cup an the wax isnt as heavy as the shot to your shot weight will not be as much.

[.45 COLT]

But of course you give up the ability to convert from shot to slug in the field a la cut shells.

If you feel the need to convert from shot to slug in the field, throw a few slugs in your pocket before you go out.
 
DC

[flmason]

But of course you give up the ability to convert from shot to slug in the field a la cut shells.

If you feel the need to convert from shot to slug in the field, throw a few slugs in your pocket before you go out.
 
DC

No doubt. I invested in one of those shell holders that goes over the stock.

Was more of a reloading interest with the wax slugs. Seems like it has potential if you can make it consistent. Seems it'd be cost effective and allow you to use your shot supply for two purposes.

[.45 COLT]

OK, I can't watch the video, I'm on dial-up, but I have an idea of what's in it.
 
Chamber pressure should be lower than the original shell. Projectile weight is lower, or at least the same, and side pressure is reduced.
 
Accuracy should be worse than terrible. The Foster slug has reasonable accuracy due to the weight-forward design. That keeps the slug from tumbling. Your wax slug will tumble (some should make kind of a nice whistling sound).
 
If you're playing around just for the sake of playing, that is GOOD. I love to play with strange loads (keeping safety in mind). Just don't expect stellar performance.
 
DC

[flmason]

OK, I can't watch the video, I'm on dial-up, but I have an idea of what's in it.
 
Chamber pressure should be lower than the original shell. Projectile weight is lower, or at least the same, and side pressure is reduced.
 
Accuracy should be worse than terrible. The Foster slug has reasonable accuracy due to the weight-forward design. That keeps the slug from tumbling. Your wax slug will tumble (some should make kind of a nice whistling sound).
 
If you're playing around just for the sake of playing, that is GOOD. I love to play with strange loads (keeping safety in mind). Just don't expect stellar performance.
 
DC

Here's the same gent demonstrating these. While certainly *not* anything close to rifle accuracy, seems like it'd be effective if you do some stalking and get close to the game.  Smoothbore + single projectile is generally never particularly accurate to start with. With that in mind, the results seem reasonable, if it's safe, of course.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhqosJmUS-0&feature=relmfu

No interest in playing. When I was younger, yes, but these days I tend to think of my guns as purchased for thier real intended use, which is of course, to kill game. So chances are I won't be doing like I did when I was young and just go to the range to burn powder.