Ping pong balls are made of nitrocellulose, I am sure that many would like to create non-nitro based balls, but industry has never been able to create ping ping balls with the same bounce as the nitrocellulose based balls.
Now, while extracting nitrocellulose from ping pong balls is easy, the nitrocellulose is adulterated with camphor. This turns the explosive potential of the balls down while making them more plastic.
Now, while I like to extract the nitrocellulose to make nitrocellulose lacquer for making e-matches (electric initiators) for my rockets, woodworkers have long used nitrocellulose lacquer for fine furniture and musical instruments.
How to Make Nitrocellulose Lacquer:
Ping pong balls, acetone, scissors, a wooden stir stick, and a glass jar with a tight fitting lid.
Simply cut up 4 or 5 balls, and cover them with twice as much acetone as you need to cover the balls.
Let sit overnight.
Additionally, I like to add in some double based (smokeless) gunpowder that I save from my mistakes while reloading. It gives me a hotter flame for igniting my model rockets. Additionally, it allows me to waste less powder when reloading.
So now you know how to extract nitrocellulose from Ping Pong Balls. Its easier than editing actually, I just realized that for some time this said nitroglycerine. I guess that was a Freudian slip, because it would be really neat to have a easy way to get nitroglycerin, but it would probably be illegal, and I would not want to break the law.
Reloading does not have to be fancy or expensive. You can buy a starter kit for well under $100 if you take your time and only get the essentials.
I have spent hours using a $20 hand reloader and a hammer to reload 20 gauge shotshells.
In the video below, I wanted to show you just how simple a set up you can get away with. In the video you can learn how to deprime shells without reloading tools.
The technique shown works with shotshells as well as rifle and pistol cartridges. As long as the rounds are not berdan primed this technique will work.
It can be adapted to use a large nut, or a hole in a workbench, you can use a nail or a punch, and anything you can strike with can be used as a hammer. Let your needs decide.
However, while you can get away with this, it is much easier to use better tools. I find that while I can reload with simple tools, it takes longer and when I factor in the value of my time, sometimes it is worth it to spend money for tools that let me work more efficiently.
Whether you are using your handgun for personal protection or sport, it is immensely beneficial to upgrade your gun from time to time. This guest post shows the top 5 upgrades for your handgun.
Upgrading your handgun enhances the capabilities of your gun, it makes your gun look more professional, and it also gives you something to brag about to your pro-gun friends and family. As most gun enthusiasts will tell you though, choosing the right upgrade for your gun can be a challenge because there are just too many great options out there. Fortunately, below are five of the best upgrades you should take advantage of to solidify your gunsmith skills.
New Springs
A handgun’s components easily wear out over time, especially if you are prone to using your gun often. One component that is useful to upgrade is your recoil spring. In general, springs should be replaced anywhere from 1,500 to 5,000 rounds, depending upon how enthusiastic you are about keeping your handgun in top notch condition. Keeping your recoil spring in mint condition ensures that the shock is absorbed well every time a bullet is fired. Upgrading your springs can be costly, but doing so is well worth it in the long term.
Stipple Your Handgun Grip
Another upgrade option is to stipple your handgun grip. Stippling is the process of modifying the grip of your handgun to improve how you hold onto the gun. While you can have a professional stipple your handgun, many gun enthusiasts prefer to do it on their own. Doing it on your own also makes for a fun DIY project and learning experience. When you stipple your gun, it is best to take your time. Rushing through the process may not get you the quality results that you are looking for and so it might be best to get a lot of practice in before you move to a gun you really care about.
Add a Sight
Most handguns, unless they are already top of the line, don’t have a quality sight attached. A sight component is what improves your visibility when you aim and shoot your gun. There are many different options you can choose from when upgrading your sights. For example, you can choose from night sights, adjustable, non-adjustable, sharp, front sights, and rear sights. After you’ve upgraded your sight, you’ll notice that you’ll be able to better align and aim your weapon before you shoot it, thus improving the quality of your targeting.
Sharp Edges
When you first purchase a gun, chances are your handgun comes with sharp edges that can cut and bite your hands. Sharp edges make your gun difficult and even painful to use. As a result, you may want to consider upgrading your gun by smoothing out the sharp edges. While the process of removing your gun’s sharp edges veers into gunsmith territory, the practice and knowledge are well worth the time you invest. To remove the sharp edges, you can get instructions from a gunsmith on how to smooth out the edges or you can take a course on how to get the process done.
Add a Guide Rod
Finally, another quality upgrade that you may want to take advantage of is to add guide rods to your handgun. In terms of guide rods, you can choose from either a one-piece or a two piece rod. In general, the two piece guide rod is much easily to assemble and disassemble. By adding a guide rod to your handgun, you can improve the function of your gun and you can also prevent your recoil spring from encountering issues. Keep in mind though that upgrading your guide rod will add weigh to your gun. To mitigate the weight, you should choose from a lightweight option.
With the above upgrades, you can easily improve the quality of your handgun. Fortunately, the fun doesn’t end there. The universe of handguns is far reaching and there is always more to learn. Don’t stop at just upgrading your gun. You can also work to improve the speed of your shooting or the aim of your shots through diligent practice. If you don’t want to learn alone, then add to the enjoyment by learning or practicing with a friend.
The M6 scout was one of the first rifles I bought when I got out of the Marines. I kept it in a case in he back of my car for decades. The gun was originally designed as a survival tool attached to the ejection seat of American fighter planes.
Originally this was designed to be .22 Hornet and .410 but the commercial models are typically .22 LR and .410. The civilian guns are also a shade longer as the Air Force models are considered Short Barrel Rifles per the National Firearms Act.
Why The M6 Scout is One of the Best Homestead Rifles
I think the M6 Scout is one of the best homestead rifles you can have because it is light, short, and handy. It is large enough to take care of most varmints and powerful enough to hunt small game. It is of a simple design and is both safe and rugged.
You do not have to use a scope on the rifle. It has a rear sight that flips to either calibrate to the .22 or the .410. However, it is tapped for a scope mount. If you get a M6 I would suggest a scope, and know where to find the best rimfire scope.
If you are going to have a beat around truck or tractor gun then this is a model to consider. I keep the .410 side loaded because it is perfect for killing poisonous snakes I find in the brush as I clear off the homestead.
Since it is a break open with a hammer and a selector switch, I can keep the ,410 loaded and the selector on the unloaded top .22 barrel and feel very confident in the safety of the gun. I have to both select the .410 barrel and cock the hammer to fire.
A blue line Glock is a Glock packages to be sold to law enforcement personnel. A Glock dealer is selected to participate in the program and then stocks a certain amount of these “blue line” guns.
The Glock is not any different from a non blue line gun, but it did used to carry an extra magazine in the package. Now that all Glocks come with 3 magazines that no longer applies.
Blue line guns are only the popular Law Enforcement duty models, so basically full size and compact 9mm, .40 and .45 calibers. You won’t find a long slide ported 10mm in the blue line.
To me the biggest seller of the blue line gun is that if you present identification showing employment as a police officer, correction officer, or armed security you can get your gun a little cheaper.
The trade off is that quantities are limited, and so is selection.
I have never purchases a blue label Glock because I like the OD green models and since they are not available in this package I tend to get mine in other ways.
A large dealer in south eastern TN (Craigs firearms) has a deal where if you get a letter from the head of your law enforcement agency stating you have public safety duties you can buy one gun a year at contract pricing. The gun does need to be a duty type gun so it is limited to things like ARs, Shotguns, and duty handguns. This is normally how I get mine.
Reloading does not have to be fancy or expensive. You can buy a starter kit for well under $100 if you take your time and only get the essentials.
Whether you are using your handgun for personal protection or sport, it is immensely beneficial to upgrade your gun from time to time. This guest post shows the top 5 upgrades for your handgun.
