Shotgun reloading with Flechettes?

High Binder

High Binder

Resident Tribologist
Full Member
Minuteman
Jun 18, 2008
493
25
Occupied Colorado
#1
I've got a buddy who mentioned the idea of loading flechettes in shotgun shells. Anyhow, just wondering what anybody thinks of this and/or has anyone ever done this? Obviously, I know jack shit about flechettes and I think the idea is pretty ninja but it's something I've never heard of...

Edit: just found this, pretty interesting!
<object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/paPJqUA86jw"></param> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/paPJqUA86jw" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"> </embed></object>
 
#2
Re: Shotgun reloading with Flechettes?

Point blank its not bad, but its more of a good idea that didn't work out so well in practice. Now if you stick flechettes in a 105, that will do some damage.
 
#3
Re: Shotgun reloading with Flechettes?

I played around with them. Bought a pound at gun show long ago I used 1 1/8 oz. worth with cream of wheat as a filler and loaded with regular data. It made a lot of little holes in the plywood I was shooting at.
 
#4
Re: Shotgun reloading with Flechettes?

The problem is they don't all fly strait either with all the tumbling and what not they do. Thats why shot gun pellets are rounds. or golf ball shaped with the recent duck hunting ammo gimmicks.
 
#6
Re: Shotgun reloading with Flechettes?

Isn't there an app for that?

But seriously, the flechettes have been around for so long, I had forgotten all about it. Maybe they fly all over the place but that's a hell of a threat. You know, arms, hands, legs, neck, etceteras? BB
 
#7
Re: Shotgun reloading with Flechettes?

Coming home after seeing the results of 105mm beehive rounds in 'Nam; I decided I'd never, ever want to do that sort of thing to another human. Nasty stuff; made me wonder about the Hague Convention and such.

I knew about 12ga flechette rounds, but never saw any used.

Greg
 
#8
Re: Shotgun reloading with Flechettes?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mark S</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I played around with them. Bought a pound at gun show long ago I used 1 1/8 oz. worth with cream of wheat as a filler and loaded with regular data. It made a lot of little holes in the plywood I was shooting at. </div></div>


Did you use some kind of cardboard cap to keep the cream of wheat in?
 
#9
Re: Shotgun reloading with Flechettes?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Greg Langelius *</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Coming home after seeing the results of 105mm beehive rounds in 'Nam; I decided I'd never, ever want to do that sort of thing to another human. Nasty stuff; made me wonder about the Hague Convention and such.

</div></div>

I followed your links to see what you were talking about and wow does that sound nasty!
 
#11
Re: Shotgun reloading with Flechettes?

Weren't beehive rounds a sort of last ditch effort type of ammo? If the enemy is close enough to hit them with a super sized shotgun, its probably time to start thinking of de-assing the area with a quickness.
 
#12
Re: Shotgun reloading with Flechettes?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BOLTRIPPER</div><div class="ubbcode-body">nasty nasty....now did anyone think as to you seriously fucked up the barrel will become running steel on steel..... </div></div>

In fairness, I shoot a ton of Black Cloud steel out of mine with no problems. Black Cloud has about 50% pellets with a sharp blade running around it like the rings on Saturn but you make a good point that I didn't even consider. I sure as hell wouldn't shoot it with a good choke tube.
 
#13
Re: Shotgun reloading with Flechettes?

That's why their banned here in Canada.
Cop's don't like a single shot 12 ga. to be able to zip thru body armour.
But there's a lot banned here.
Pistol crossbow's,blowgun's.All go thru a vest
 
#14
Re: Shotgun reloading with Flechettes?

<span style="color: #FF0000">CHECK YOUR STATE LAWS!!! THEY ARE ILLEGAL HERE IN FLORIDA. Florida Statute- 790.31 Armor-piercing or exploding ammunition or dragon's breath shotgun shells, bolo shells, or flechette shells prohibited </span> <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: High Binder</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've got a buddy who mentioned the idea of loading flechettes in shotgun shells. Anyhow, just wondering what anybody thinks of this and/or has anyone ever done this? Obviously, I know jack shit about flechettes and I think the idea is pretty ninja but it's something I've never heard of...

Edit: just found this, pretty interesting!
<object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/paPJqUA86jw"></param> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/paPJqUA86jw" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"> </embed></object> </div></div>
 
#15
Re: Shotgun reloading with Flechettes?

Here is what dragon's breath will do at close range. While I don't like this internet tough guy, he does get to shoot all the cool weapons.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=RP4FjODPDFA#t=265s

Interesting note, there is still fire in the barrel when he ejects the rounds and flames are coming out with the shell when cycled.
 
#16
Re: Shotgun reloading with Flechettes?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gathert</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Here is what dragon's breath will do at close range. While I don't like this internet tough guy, he does get to shoot all the cool weapons. </div></div>

Whoa, that looks like fun!
 
#17
Re: Shotgun reloading with Flechettes?

Not sure about Flechettes but them bolo loads are the ticket. Six lb. test line and a buck folding hunter knife are all the tools I need. I lay the shot in the knife and squeeze the blade into the shot to create a "split shot" and crimp on the fishing line. Only thing is I always get one less 00 shot back in the hull with 1" spacing between pellets. I heard of a guy that used guitar strings but I have never tried it. With all the pellets firing at same velocity it don't take much to keep the pattern.
 
#18
Re: Shotgun reloading with Flechettes?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gathert</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Here is what dragon's breath will do at close range. While I don't like this internet tough guy, he does get to shoot all the cool weapons.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=RP4FjODPDFA#t=265s

Interesting note, there is still fire in the barrel when he ejects the rounds and flames are coming out with the shell when cycled. </div></div>

Even better, watch the hay bale at the end catch fire!

Also, when reading the Wikipedia page for Flechettes, it says "The US Biological Program also had a microflechette to deliver either botulinum toxin A". Now isn't that just Bo-Tox? Could being shot by those flechettes be marketed as a anti-aging cosmetic procedure to say.... The View?
 
#20
Re: Shotgun reloading with Flechettes?

Not if you enclose them in a standard shot cup/wad.

Beehive rounds were used when a massed force got into range. From what I;ve heard, nobody wanted to come any closer.

Another tactic is to fire a mine clearing charge, when you really, really care to send the very best.

Greg
 
#21
Re: Shotgun reloading with Flechettes?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jackalope33B</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> <span style="color: #FF0000">CHECK YOUR STATE LAWS!!! THEY ARE ILLEGAL HERE IN FLORIDA. Florida Statute- 790.31 Armor-piercing or exploding ammunition or dragon's breath shotgun shells, bolo shells, or flechette shells prohibited </span> <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: High Binder</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've got a buddy who mentioned the idea of loading flechettes in shotgun shells. Anyhow, just wondering what anybody thinks of this and/or has anyone ever done this? Obviously, I know jack shit about flechettes and I think the idea is pretty ninja but it's something I've never heard of...

Edit: just found this, pretty interesting!
<object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/paPJqUA86jw"></param> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/paPJqUA86jw" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"> </embed></object> </div></div> </div></div>


the way the law is written, it looks like they outlawed ammo based on brand name, not type (except flechette) so handloading is probably legal.
 
#23
Re: Shotgun reloading with Flechettes?

under advice of my lawyer, DO NOT shoot somebody with any shotgun shell that wasn,t factor loaded. of course that was years ago and way before the stand your ground law. but still, prior entent and all. rem #4 buck works just fine
 
#24
Re: Shotgun reloading with Flechettes?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: reeljob</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Not sure about Flechettes but them bolo loads are the ticket. Six lb. test line and a buck folding hunter knife are all the tools I need. I lay the shot in the knife and squeeze the blade into the shot to create a "split shot" and crimp on the fishing line. Only thing is I always get one less 00 shot back in the hull with 1" spacing between pellets. I heard of a guy that used guitar strings but I have never tried it. With all the pellets firing at same velocity it don't take much to keep the pattern. </div></div>

This post got my attention because while they legalized night hunting for coyote here they limited us to shotguns shooting shot only. I patterned my shotgun to 82 yards with a dead coyote choke and heavy shot but we have had numerous yotes hang up at 100 to 120yds. I wonder if the range would be increased with keeping the pattern tighter with shot that is strung together. I may have to do a little experimenting.
 
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