How do you make Blanks?

[BNE]

Specifically for 223 / 556?

I got to shoot one of those ARs with a 12 oz can upper. Shot a full 12 oz can 100 yards and was all kinds of fun. I plan to buy the upper, and of course make my own blanks to propel them. My search dug up nothing. Not sure what I did wrong.

What powder? ( ( I assume a fast pistol/ shotgun)?

How to crimp the ends?

Thanks !

[Conditor22]

How to crimp the ends?--- just guessing, IF you have a point forming die for swaging that and a dab of wax should get you there

[BNE]

I don’t have a point forming die. I’m going to try pushing it into the seating die of a 9mm round nose seater die.

[kenton]

You might have better luck with a seating stem for a more pointed bullet. Maybe a 308?

[SWANEEDB]

I don’t have a point forming die. I’m going to try pushing it into the seating die of a 9mm round nose seater die.

I've got a star crimp die, i'll see if we have any 223 brass around and see what happens. Other than that I have no idea of powder what you may use. I do make 38spl blanks for relay starters but they are black powder.

[rancher1913]

I was given some old powder cans and one was hand labelled " powder for blanks only " so I assume it takes a special powder.

[kenton]

https://www.starlinebrass.com/articles/making-blank-ammo-how-to-make-ammo/

This is for pistol caliber but may be useful.

[Cap'n Morgan]

If you use Bulls Eye, Trail Boss or similar fast powders you dont need to "close-crimp" the case to get the powder to go bang (some people fireform cases with powder only). Once you worked out the correct amount of powder (start low!!) a tuft of tissue paper to keep the powder from spilling should do.

[GregLaROCHE]

You shouldn’t need to crimp the case. You just need something to keep the powder in and next to the primer. Be carful what you use. You don’t want it to become a projectile and possibly hurt someone.

[BNE]

You might have better luck with a seating stem for a more pointed bullet. Maybe a 308?

Will try that - Good idea.

[onelight]

You might contact CH and see if they have .223 dies for blanks.

[BNE]

So I tried different seaters and had no luck. The body of the cartridge collapses before it gets close to closing the brass. Going to keep trying.

[uscra112]

There is a "blank fire" smokeless powder. It's pink, and only rarely available. Must be used with caution as it is so fast that it was used as the explosive in WW2 hand grenades. Would a very fast pistol powder work? Dunno. You'd have to try it.

[Mal Paso]

There are blank dies that crimp a star pattern closing the mouth of the cartridge.

[yovinny]

Cant help with 556 blanks,, Ive always used factory, as they were common and dirt cheap by the case years ago.
But you might want to look into a golf ball launcher,, their way cheaper, a hoot and shoot 2-300yds.

[45workhorse]

https://www.atlanticwallblanks.com/

This may tied you over till you figure out how to make blanks!

[deltaenterprizes]

Dacron polyester is good for keeping the powder close to the primer and is available in the sewing section of most stores!