Seeking Feedback on a New Universally Loadable Shotshell Design for Air Guns

[MrDonutLlama]

Hello everyone,

I'm currently developing an exciting new shotshell design, and I'm eager to hear your thoughts, opinions, and any constructive feedback you may have. This is a community filled with experienced air gun enthusiasts, and I truly value the insights that you all bring to the table. Below, I’ll detail what I’m working on and the specific elements I’d love your input on.

Overview of the Shotshell Design

The core idea behind this shotshell is to make it as universally loadable and effective as possible for various air gun platforms, particularly PCP pistols & Rifles. I’m focusing on three distinct Versions at the moment with more in the works:

.30 Caliber Shotshell using #9 shot.
.22 Caliber Shotshell using #9 shot.
.22 Caliber Shotshell using crushed walnut, designed as a sort of “Bug-A-Salt Magnum” to target larger insects.

How It Works: Innovative Features

Obturating Medium: This design incorporates an obturating medium that is designed to burst upon firing. Unlike traditional obturation systems that seal tightly within the bore, this medium only obturates just enough to burst open, allowing the shot to be released. Its purpose is to contain the shot initially and then break apart effectively once fired.

Pusher-Style Wad: The wad is the key to ensuring consistent propulsion. Once the obturating medium bursts, the pusher-style wad comes into action, effectively sealing in the bore and propelling the now free shot down the barrel. The wad is designed to maximize efficiency, maintain energy transfer, and ensure a controlled spread as the shot exits the barrel.

Single-Shot Limitation and Future Development

Currently, these shotshells are only loadable as single-shot rounds due to the length of the shell. This is a crucial detail because, at this stage, the dimensions make it impractical for them to be used in standard air gun magazines.

We are, however, actively working on a magazine-loadable version of this shotshell. From an R&D standpoint, focusing on a single-shot design for now allows us to refine the obturation and propulsion systems to ensure optimal performance before tackling the added complexity of designing a shorter, magazine-compatible version. Ultimately, we hope to balance both performance and practicality to meet the needs of air gun enthusiasts who prefer either single-shot accuracy or the convenience of magazine-fed shots.

Specific Use Cases

The .30 Caliber and .22 Caliber versions loaded with #9 shot are aimed at small pest control and potentially for recreational target shooting where a shotgun-like spread is useful.

The crushed walnut .22 caliber version is where things get a bit experimental. Inspired by the popular Bug-A-Salt, this one is meant for larger insect control (think carpenter bees or larger pests) but with an added kick. This design is intended for use with PCP pistols to give you that extra stopping power when you need more than table salt but still want something safe and non-lethal for use around the house or yard.

Feedback Areas:

Now that I’ve given you an overview, here are some areas where I would really appreciate your feedback:

Obturating Medium Design:

Since the obturating medium is designed to burst open upon firing rather than seal the bore, do you have concerns about how this might affect consistency or efficiency?
Are there potential design improvements that could make the medium more predictable in performance?

Wad Effectiveness:

The pusher-style wad is responsible for sealing the bore and driving the shot forward. What features do you think are crucial to ensure the wad maintains an effective seal and prevents energy loss?
If anyone has experience with similar wad designs, I'd appreciate insights on materials or configurations that might enhance overall performance.

Shot Selection and Load Effectiveness:

For the #9 shot, do you think it’s a good balance for small game or pest control in .30 and .22 calibers?
Any suggestions for alternatives that might be more effective or practical?
Crushed Walnut Load for Insect Control:

I’m especially interested in thoughts on the crushed walnut .22 caliber design. The idea here is to create something like a “Bug-A-Salt on steroids” for larger pests using PCP pistols.
Do you think this approach is viable for achieving a controlled spread, and would there be interest among users for such a product?
How does everyone feel about safety and practicality here—especially in a household setting?

Universal Loadability:

One of the main goals is to make these universally loadable across platforms. Do any of you foresee compatibility challenges with different PCP pistols or other air guns?
If you have experience with different brands or platforms, I’d love to hear which ones might be the best candidates for this type of shotshell.
Potential Applications and Versatility

I envision these shotshells as having a versatile range of uses—from pest control to backyard plinking. The .30 caliber and .22 caliber options with #9 shot could be ideal for small vermin at shorter ranges, offering a spread pattern for easier hits.
The crushed walnut variant is something I’d like to hear a lot about, as it could provide a niche but valuable solution for non-lethal pest control without the mess or risks of other loads.

Questions for the Community

Would you use something like this in your air guns? What do you think about the potential spread and energy behind these designs?
Are there any improvements you could suggest for either the obturating medium or the type of shot being used?
Would a specialty shotshell like this appeal to you, and what might make it more attractive as a product—perhaps adjustability, different types of shot, or other features?
For the magazine-loadable version, what do you think should be prioritized? Should it lean more towards maintaining the performance seen in the single-shot version, or would you prefer a compromise that allows multi-shot convenience even if it affects the power or shot consistency?

Thank You for Your Insights!

I know this is a bit of a long post, but I wanted to be thorough and transparent about what I'm working on. Your input is incredibly valuable, and I’d love to make these shotshells as effective and versatile as possible, with your help. Whether it’s about the technical aspects or the practical applications, all opinions are welcome.

If anyone has tested similar designs or experimented with DIY shotshells, your real-world experiences would be especially helpful. And, of course, feel free to ask me any questions about the design or intended use—I'll do my best to answer!

Looking forward to hearing what you all think!

- 3D Arms Team