It appears that you are using what is called a HI LOW shell. This is quite similar to the 40mm practice chalk rounds. That .380 charge is using regular smokeless powder which is more powerful than black powder. When it goes off the gasses fill the void real fast propelling the projectile out of the launcher. They are quite efficient and do not give away one’s position which can happen with black powder charges.
Yeah, they're awesome and when you fire, you aren't blinded by the huge cloud of BP smoke. There are a lot of new manufacturers that make "screw-apart" shells. I wish they made more like this.
These are made this way. The ones that I have pop from time to time on gunbroker. There is a seller called gunroom that sells them. I tried to modify a few plastic shells to take the blanks, but the JB weld had too many bubbles in it and the area broke up because of structural problems. Maybe if you fill the bottom with Bondo, or have someone make an aluminum slug that is properly drilled out for the blank, then you can hold it in place with screws through the side of the shell.
Unfortunately I'm only shooting fireworks and the very light smokes. The fireworks are fused to only go about 75 yards before blowing up, and the lightweight smoke bombs will go a few yards further. I've never put anything with a "good" weight in it to see how far things really travel.
@@hrdknox2000 Definately!. I think they only did 2 runs. I got one on the second. I never even heard of the first run. They told me they sold out immediately to reenactors.
Just bought a 37mm from spikes. How do I get a mortar to launch? Does it have to be a 1.5" of greater? & Take out the launch charge ? Sorry. I am new and wanna do it right
First the legal disclosure. Use any 37mm products, home made and commercial at your own risk. YOU probably have shells that take the 209 primer (nearly everyone does). My shells take a 380 blank and no other gun powder, but the same method still will work except YOU will leave the gun powder in the firework as the lifting charge. I'm using long aluminum shells, this won't work with 3" plastic shells. I'm using canister shells because they are long and no chance of moving inside the barrel and possibly jamming. Everything I launch fits inside the shell. Find an item that fits inside the shell. Remove the green fuse (you won't need it). Wrap tape around the projectile until it fits JUST ENOUGH not to fall out, you don't need to have these tight. Insert projectile THEN insert primer. The primer has more than enough powder to cut through the cardboard on the bottom of the firework. I've been playing around with 37mm since the early 90s. I understand the concepts and have been doing DIY for many years. A lot of it is trial and error.
Do NOT take out the launch charge, just tape up the difference around the projectile so that its "snug" bit not loose in the barrel.... The primer will do everything else.
The launcher is from Spikes Tactical. The lifting charge is a .380 blank. I have several 37mm shells that take a rimmed .380 blank. I have done the black powder thing and am sick of it. WAY too much smoke and rotten eggs smell. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to SEE what you are launching and not just see a cloud of smoke until it clears. The blank is the lifting charge and tosses the fireworks or other items about 75 yards. Plus its consistent. I am in the process of figuring out how to convert plastic and Aluminum shells to take the .380 blanks. I think a small round aluminum slug about 3/4" thick glued into the bottom the shell and drilled out to the size of the blank would work.
@@GBW175 I keep checking gunbroker.com for these same shells but I think it was inventory close-out. I love these shells!! I have 24. None are for sale!! If you purchased another type (the 2 part screw apart) and had a friend who has a lathe, you might be able to make your own... The fireworks specifically are from Phantom Fireworks.
You're in luck. I just bought 6 more of these shells last month that were mislabeled. They were said to use 38spl. I would gladly sell you these for my cost (I have 24 already) They take rimmed 380 blanks. Go to my channel and grab my email address and we'll talk.
@@scottdunkirk8198 The shells are 8 inches long, but can be easily cut down with a large pipe cutter tool. I had to cut mine down to 5 5/8" for my launcher since it has a step in the barrel. I can only shoot things that fit inside the shell, nothing that is the same dia. as the outer part of the shell.
@remotecamper Do you know if the aluminum hulls are still available? I managed to snag 3 locally but haven’t been able to find a place to buy them anywhere on GB or from the manufacturer. Thanks.
I keep checking gunbroker to see if they pop up again.. I check probably once a week. IF I ever see them for sale again I'm going to buy them all up JUST TO sell them to those who want them AT COST + shipping. I want to pass on the fun not make a profit.
@@remotecamper9113 if that does happen please sign me up. I’d be interested in some. I actually just found 4 more locally, I’ll now be at 7 but would like a few dozen.
@@jstanley806 I bought 12 at first but then though it would be wise to get another 12 just in case.. I don't know how long each one will last, but I figure I have enough for life, since its not like I shoot each one 5 time a day each day.
@@jstanley806 Actually no. Funny because I was wondering myself if I could remember it. I did some searches, and it may have been a guy called Gunroom. He has almost nothing now. But he does have some MK ballistics items. So it may be him. Don't harass him!!
Yes. Its all you need. Unfortunately those shells aren't available on gunbroker dot com at the moment. Its just a shell that is made to house a rimmed, crimped 380 blank. That blank does all the work in all of the videos that I have posted shooting the launcher. It also lights the fuse of what I'm shooting. Its SO much cleaner, quieter, and almost no smoke -- compared to black powder.
Please read the update below the video. I made more changes. Also I have tested 1 of these in original unchanged form. I removed the fuse and loaded it into a standard shell that takes a W209 (shotgun primer that ALL 37mm shells use). The primer will cut through the paper bottom lighting the lifting charge already in the firework thus launching the firework.
It’s not like he was banging them on top of a screwdriver. The blanks won’t pop unless they are hit extremely hard on the primer, and the blanks seat just below flush in the cases. You could sit down with live center fire ammo and bang it on a table for hours, it wont go off
My basis is that the mortar is already designed to be fired using the encapsulating explosion of the black powder charge that surrounds the fuse. Its REALLY no different than those you buy commercially. My problem is that I'm not using BP, and the power from my blanks shoot a very thin stream of hot pressure enough to cut a nice hole through a 1/2 plywood "gas check" before lighting the fuse. If you don't like the fireworks, then do the same with smoke, its safer.
It appears that you are using what is called a HI LOW shell. This is quite similar to the 40mm practice chalk rounds. That .380 charge is using regular smokeless powder which is more powerful than black powder. When it goes off the gasses fill the void real fast propelling the projectile out of the launcher. They are quite efficient and do not give away one’s position which can happen with black powder charges.
Yeah, they're awesome and when you fire, you aren't blinded by the huge cloud of BP smoke.
There are a lot of new manufacturers that make "screw-apart" shells. I wish they made more like this.
That little black stuff would be flash power
Negative, would be an effect like a comet tail.
Did you modify your al. shell casings yourself to accept the 380 blanks? how much difference is there using them compared to the 209 primers ? thanks
These are made this way. The ones that I have pop from time to time on gunbroker. There is a seller called gunroom that sells them.
I tried to modify a few plastic shells to take the blanks, but the JB weld had too many bubbles in it and the area broke up because of structural problems.
Maybe if you fill the bottom with Bondo, or have someone make an aluminum slug that is properly drilled out for the blank, then you can hold it in place with screws through the side of the shell.
Question, to confirm, you are using 380 auto blanks? and what is the range of distance you are getting when fired? Say at 45 degree shot
Unfortunately I'm only shooting fireworks and the very light smokes. The fireworks are fused to only go about 75 yards before blowing up, and the lightweight smoke bombs will go a few yards further. I've never put anything with a "good" weight in it to see how far things really travel.
I'm totally jealous of your launcher!
They should have lowered the price a bit and kept making them.
I love mine. But its all steel and heavy. The barrel is VERY thick
@@remotecamper9113 Yes, but it's reenactment quality!
@@hrdknox2000 Definately!. I think they only did 2 runs. I got one on the second. I never even heard of the first run. They told me they sold out immediately to reenactors.
Cool video!
Just bought a 37mm from spikes. How do I get a mortar to launch? Does it have to be a 1.5" of greater? & Take out the launch charge ? Sorry. I am new and wanna do it right
First the legal disclosure. Use any 37mm products, home made and commercial at your own risk.
YOU probably have shells that take the 209 primer (nearly everyone does). My shells take a 380 blank and no other gun powder, but the same method still will work except YOU will leave the gun powder in the firework as the lifting charge.
I'm using long aluminum shells, this won't work with 3" plastic shells.
I'm using canister shells because they are long and no chance of moving inside the barrel and possibly jamming.
Everything I launch fits inside the shell.
Find an item that fits inside the shell. Remove the green fuse (you won't need it). Wrap tape around the projectile until it fits JUST ENOUGH not to fall out, you don't need to have these tight.
Insert projectile THEN insert primer.
The primer has more than enough powder to cut through the cardboard on the bottom of the firework.
I've been playing around with 37mm since the early 90s. I understand the concepts and have been doing DIY for many years. A lot of it is trial and error.
Do NOT take out the launch charge, just tape up the difference around the projectile so that its "snug" bit not loose in the barrel.... The primer will do everything else.
You don't use any powder to launch the projectile???
The launcher is from Spikes Tactical.
The lifting charge is a .380 blank.
I have several 37mm shells that take a rimmed .380 blank. I have done the black powder thing and am sick of it. WAY too much smoke and rotten eggs smell.
Wouldn't it be nice to be able to SEE what you are launching and not just see a cloud of smoke until it clears.
The blank is the lifting charge and tosses the fireworks or other items about 75 yards. Plus its consistent.
I am in the process of figuring out how to convert plastic and Aluminum shells to take the .380 blanks. I think a small round aluminum slug about 3/4" thick glued into the bottom the shell and drilled out to the size of the blank would work.
Maybe hot glue instead of all the tape would be the way to go.
No need for all that time and glue for something that just needs to be held together. You can use spit if it was sticky enough.
Wood pusher, great alternative, and I used to use those "Mammoth Smoke's" all the time, they work pretty good. Thanks!
Outstanding!👍👍👍
The tape is on the orange tub! 🍊
Good eye. I was more concerned with trying to do a whole vid without messing up in one take. I hate editing.
Lol. Yeah, I wanted to yell out to ya “It’s on the orange tub.” to help you. 🤣👍🏻
Where do you buy your reloading components?
@@GBW175 I keep checking gunbroker.com for these same shells but I think it was inventory close-out. I love these shells!! I have 24. None are for sale!!
If you purchased another type (the 2 part screw apart) and had a friend who has a lathe, you might be able to make your own...
The fireworks specifically are from Phantom Fireworks.
@@GBW175 These shells are available again on Gunbroker. This time they are red. Search under 37mm or seller Gunroom.
What blanks do you use and where can I get the shells?
You're in luck. I just bought 6 more of these shells last month that were mislabeled. They were said to use 38spl.
I would gladly sell you these for my cost (I have 24 already) They take rimmed 380 blanks.
Go to my channel and grab my email address and we'll talk.
@@remotecamper9113 we have an M8 launcher how long are the shells?
@@scottdunkirk8198 The shells are 8 inches long, but can be easily cut down with a large pipe cutter tool.
I had to cut mine down to 5 5/8" for my launcher since it has a step in the barrel. I can only shoot things that fit inside the shell, nothing that is the same dia. as the outer part of the shell.
If you are interested, 6 shells and a box of blanks $75. shipped. Plus I'll tell you what I know about loading them, and stuff.
@@remotecamper9113Interested if you still have them
@remotecamper Do you know if the aluminum hulls are still available? I managed to snag 3 locally but haven’t been able to find a place to buy them anywhere on GB or from the manufacturer. Thanks.
I keep checking gunbroker to see if they pop up again.. I check probably once a week. IF I ever see them for sale again I'm going to buy them all up JUST TO sell them to those who want them AT COST + shipping. I want to pass on the fun not make a profit.
@@remotecamper9113 if that does happen please sign me up. I’d be interested in some. I actually just found 4 more locally, I’ll now be at 7 but would like a few dozen.
@@jstanley806 I bought 12 at first but then though it would be wise to get another 12 just in case.. I don't know how long each one will last, but I figure I have enough for life, since its not like I shoot each one 5 time a day each day.
@@remotecamper9113 do you remember the seller name by chance?
@@jstanley806 Actually no. Funny because I was wondering myself if I could remember it. I did some searches, and it may have been a guy called Gunroom. He has almost nothing now. But he does have some MK ballistics items. So it may be him. Don't harass him!!
The 37mm launcher used in this video can be found here if anyone's interested.
www.exoticammo.com/Launchers-and-Accessories_c_19-1-2.html
Yeah, except NO...... This is a Spikes Tactical launcher, not some crappy launcher.
are you blind
So wait does the blank blow whole thing out of the barrel?
Yes. Its all you need. Unfortunately those shells aren't available on gunbroker dot com at the moment.
Its just a shell that is made to house a rimmed, crimped 380 blank. That blank does all the work in all of the videos that I have posted shooting the launcher. It also lights the fuse of what I'm shooting. Its SO much cleaner, quieter, and almost no smoke -- compared to black powder.
Please read the update below the video. I made more changes.
Also I have tested 1 of these in original unchanged form. I removed the fuse and loaded it into a standard shell that takes a W209 (shotgun primer that ALL 37mm shells use). The primer will cut through the paper bottom lighting the lifting charge already in the firework thus launching the firework.
Almost painful to watch this video. Stop banging the live primers on the bench in the casing.
It’s not like he was banging them on top of a screwdriver. The blanks won’t pop unless they are hit extremely hard on the primer, and the blanks seat just below flush in the cases. You could sit down with live center fire ammo and bang it on a table for hours, it wont go off
Great ! This is not fun, use to it
?
what the fuck
I’m new to the 37mm flare scene, but this seems very unsafe.
My basis is that the mortar is already designed to be fired using the encapsulating explosion of the black powder charge that surrounds the fuse.
Its REALLY no different than those you buy commercially.
My problem is that I'm not using BP, and the power from my blanks shoot a very thin stream of hot pressure enough to cut a nice hole through a 1/2 plywood "gas check" before lighting the fuse.
If you don't like the fireworks, then do the same with smoke, its safer.