Drawbacks of 3D printed Big Bore Ammo? (ZEUS .72 cal.)

[kaylaindy]

You can fit almost anything in the bore of this ZEUS .72 caliber rifle. ...so it seems like I could turn it into an airgun shotgun pretty easily.

I'm guessing if I had a 3D printed casing that held BB's...it would melt as it went down the bore...leaving plastic in my barrel. 

Does that sound right?

....maybe a .72 cal cardboard tube would be a better choice. If anyone has a good idea on how to make some Sabot or Shotgun rounds for the Zeus (or in .357), let me know. 

 

[woogie_man]

Just do what muzzle loaders do. Use a cardboard base, pour in bbs, then use cotton or something to contain the bbs in the barrel.

Wouldn't suggest doing it, but don't see why it shouldn't work.

 

[Ripper]

Don’t have any ideas. I don’t know how that 3-D printing plastic holds up to heat like the type of plastic they use in shotgun Wads.The only thing I would be concerned about is not getting a good pattern. Rifling tend to throw the BBs around in not so good of a pattern.

 

[smokeOnBro55]

There is a good reason shotgun barrels are not rifled. you might find quickly that you can not get a consistent pattern 

I would not spend a lot of money at first. prove the concept ....YMMV

 

[kaylaindy]

Oh, thanks for the info about rifling. I did find some muzzle loading gear in .74 cal...

I also found a .710 round ball mold. I think I would rather cast some ammo...I don't want to ruin the rifling on a ZEUS if I won't get decent patterns anyway. 

Thanks for the info! 

I am searching for some .72 cal ammo molds now. 

 

[CyberDyneSystems]

If you do try scattershot, for a rifled barrel look for lead. Steel shot would really be bad.

 

[Impact701]

.72 caliber is about 12 gauge, maybe 12 gauge wads would work ?

Lets us know if they do ! 

 

[Cranky1]

A 12gauge wad should fit, use lead shot with a cardboard spacer on top. The spacer should hold the shot in, or possibly a very small bit of tape to hold the cardboard in the wad. This setup might even allow you to load it from the breach. It probably will not pattern very good, being rifled. As far as sabots go the 12 gauge sabots should also fit. 

 

[kaylaindy]

A 12gauge wad should fit, use lead shot with a cardboard spacer on top. The spacer should hold the shot in, or possibly a very small bit of tape to hold the cardboard in the wad. This setup might even allow you to load it from the breach. It probably will not pattern very good, being rifled. As far as sabots go the 12 gauge sabots should also fit.

Now were talking! ..I will go 12 guage sabot shopping ASAP. That and the 12 Guage wads with some Lead shot (not steel BB's) That may work out. Lead shouldn't hurt the barrel rifling. 

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The ZEUS is a cool gun. I would recommend it evan as a wall hanger...then pull it off the wall for special occasions. Like if certian friends come over, you can hit something, like a milk jug, with the .72 cal ...that is sure to be a good time! It's actually not heavy either. It just feels like a regular gun when your carrying it. Pick rail on the bottom, so you can put a foregrip on it and go marching. 

I have to sell every gun I review to pay my bills...but the ZEUS is one I really should keep...can't afford it though. DARN IT!! I will always wish I had one now. 

 

[Quad82]

You could buy a second barrel or have one made and bore it out for a smooth bore. Or you could add a smooth bore sleeve. Sabots and loose shot will give you a very short range and very large pattern. 


upnorth air gunner had a good idea using a sabot, loose shot and Teflon tape. It works good in my Wingshot. But it’s a smooth bore. 

 

[SteveKralsAround]

rough idea : paper roll for nickels , cardboard base disk . fill with shot and fold shut . "lead tamale" . Could hold shot together until impact .

 

[primaz]

A buddy of mine has the Zeus and is liking the Mr. Hollow Point slugs, they make around dozen different options for the Zeus, and they have pig hunts with the rocker Sammy Hagar,

https://www.mrhollowpoint.com/58-cal--12-gauge--20-mm.html

Pork Slam in Sept/October this year with the rocker,

https://www.mrhollowpoint.com/index.html

 

[ctshooter]

Nate - found these digging around for things to try on my 16" Zeus which should arrive in next week or two.

https://www.ballisticproducts.com/12ga-Valu-Slug-Power-Shok-Sabot-481-gr-100_box/productinfo/R12PSS/

$70 for 100 make it $0.70 a shot which seems really good for this monster.