Blanks

[Redeye]

Been researching the possibility on making blanks and have been finding info here and there slowly. I found a company that makes crimping dies to make blanks. The dies themselves are fairly expensive, but I've been set up for reloading for decades, so I don't need anything else. If things go right and I can find the proper loading data, I'd be more than happy to become the Group's blank armorer. It should save everyone a lot of money in the long run.

.30 Carbine shooters...save your fired .30 Carbine blanks whenever you can. Mauser and '06 are easy to do, but I guess Carbine is a big pain.

[Klaus Schüßler]

Hey that would be great!

[AG1944]

Figure out what he cost would be for us. I think it is a great idea. Jimmie, Blake and I talked about it but to buy the equipment to do it, don't know if it was worth it or not. Since you have most of the equipment, then start up cost would be a lot less.

[Redeye]

The initial expense would be the dies themselves. .30 cal. dies, which would do 30/06 as well as several others, are right around $100. 30 Carbine are more because the process is a bit more difficult. I have the press, scales, and can get powders and primers at wholesale. What I have to try and figure out is how long its going to take to have the blanks I produce pay for themselves or even its going to save us any money. Right now we're paying .15 (Mauser is CHEAP!) to .38 cents per round through Atlantic Wall with the proper powder. Blank powder is not available commercially. This may be more trouble than its worth when one considers the time needed.

[AG1944]

I'll have to do some checking with one of the 1st ID guys as he does reloading for himself. He says it is cheap to do (once you have the equipment.)

I was thinking about doing it through my business but I cannot justify the start up cost at the moment as business has dropped off.

[Redeye]

Regular reloading is MUCH cheaper for regular firearms cartridges, however it appears you cannot/shouldn't reload fired blank cartridges, just found that out today. This means you would be converting more conventional cartridges to blanks, and brass casings are getting more expensive these days. The more I weigh the pros and cons it appears that it really wouldn't be worth it. I need to check a few more things out before I give this idea the thumbs down tho. Stay tuned.

[Klaus Schüßler]

Otto and I looked into doing the same thing. Even if we supplied all the ammo for the whole unit at every event, because of the cost of brass and the fact that you can't reload them meant the cost savings was tiny or is otherwise more expenseive

[Otto]

Well the Europeans figured that if they used fire crackers instead of blanks that it would save them money right. Plus it is to expensive to by blanks over here. I think it is like 50 euro's a box for K98, and 80 euro's a box for garand. I wont even mention the maching gun ammo. ie MG42, 30 cal.

[Redeye]

Hey, is anyone putting in an order for blanks anytime soon? I need to order some Carbine.

[Klaus Schüßler]

My next order probably won't happen until next year, spring or even summer.