Fast Draw 101 - Wax Bullets 

I've been asked about that in the past, and always felt I really only know the way I do it, which is probably not the best, but I'll add it to my list.

Hi Brent. It's a Bonanza Bullseye Powder Measure, but it looks like they stopped making them about 35 years ago. I bought mine used about 30 years ago. You may be able to find one on Ebay from time-to-time. You can also use the small scoops like the Lee Powder Measure Kit. The main thing to know is that only the contest hosts really load the powder & wax loads so the shots have a more dramatic effect during competition. For normal shooting we just use the 209 primers or normal pistol primers. Good luck with it.

I haven't had much experience with that, but I'm sure it could, especially if you only put a small charge in the shell. The thing to keep in mind is that the "powder behind the wax" loads are only allowed in competition when loaded by the contest host so that all competitors are using the same ammo, so most shooters have never loaded powder behind the wax themselves.

I've never used pistol primers for wax bullets. In competition we use 209 shotshell primers (the primers designed for use in shotgun shells), so that's what I use even when practising. With the 209s the best ones are RIO, Noble Sport, Fiocchi, and Cheddite in that order. Others like the CCI, Winchester and Federal 209 primers tend to back-out and lock up the gun for most people, so it's best to stay away from them, but you can try them if you can't find the others... you'll just need to empty after every shot to make sure it hasn't locked up the cylinder. With the 209 primers you'll need the special .45 shells to take those primers. If you do want to use wax bullets with large pistol primers and standard shells they'll still work, but won't have the same speed or accuracy at the longer distances. If you're going to do that you can just ask for any large pistol primer at the gun store, although the magnum large pistol primers might have a bit more power to them, so might work a bit better. Having never used them I can't comment much.

It depends on the distance and angle. If a shot goes off too quickly through the bottom of the holster and strikes the leg at an angle through jeans it leaves a welt, but doesn't break the skin. I've seen an accidental discharge that was a few inches away aimed directly into the body, and the bullet penetrated less than a 1/4 inch.

I'm not sure, since I've never tried it. I'd recommend contacting the bullet manufacturers to see if they have any customers using the bullets in long guns.

+Greg Snyder - I haven't shot the .38 with wax bullets, but a .45 doesn't really have much recoil, so I'd say using wax bullets to become accustomed to recoil wouldn't help much. I do think the use of wax bullets to get familiar with the gun is a good idea, and there are a few wax bullet makers that make .38s. Going with the the pistol primers for that use is probably fine, and the way I'd go if that was the situation. Good luck with it.

It depends on the brand of bullet and a bit on the gun. Some people find they have to use a brush to clean out the barrel every 20 shots, but I personally find I have to do it every 50 or so shots or a bullet can stick in the barrel. However, while shooting in a contest I do run it down the barrel after every round, because even a slight build-up of wax can slow down the bullet a small bit, and you want every thousandth you can get.

@@fastdraw101 thank you

As a classification, when I said I run a brush down the barrel after every round when shooting in competition I didn't mean after every shot... I meant after every round of competition, which is usually 5 or so shots.

The 209 shotshell primers used with wax bullets do have a sharp crack to them, and it is recommended to wear hearing protection while shooting. The ear protection also helps to keep out unwanted noise while competing that might set you off while you're waiting for the light. I've seen lots of people lose a shot by drawing before the light comes on because a sound elsewhere set them off, so earplugs serve two good purposes.

The placing of the bullet into the shell rounded side first is relatively new. When I started in the sport most of the wax bullet manufacturers were telling folks to place them rounded side out, which was supposed to help with bullet flight. I've been doing it that way for 36+ years, so will probably just stick with that way since it's been working okay for me.

Fast Draw 101 with Howard Darby ohh ok good to know... thanks!

Yes, I push the bullets flush with the top of the case. I use a .45 ACP case to carry my shells, which is the perfect size for .45 Colt shells, but no room for a bullet to stick out, so I do push them down flat. Some shooters leave the rounded end sticking out.

I can't tell you how much power it has with a "real bullet", but with the wax bullets and 209 shotshell primers we use in Fast Draw the speed of the bullet is between 600 and 900 feet per second depending on the brand of primer and bullet that's used.

With regular lead bullets, primer only will stick the bullet in the barell ( if it even makes it all the way into the bbl .

Hello. I'd suggest posting a message on the Fast Draw forum on Facebook, since that's the place the Fast Draw shooters who do fanning hang out.There aren't many people making them these days, but there may be used ones for sale. Good luck with it. facebook.com/groups/2341482906/

I'd check with them. I've had cases shipped from the CFDA in the past to me in Canada, but i think there were some regulation changes earlier this year that may have impacted it. The vendor should hopefully know the current situation.

Can you have handguns in Canada?

Sorry, Kim, I just now saw your question. Yes, we can have handguns in Canada. We just need to have the right permits that allow us to buy them, then another permit to take to the range to shoot, but if you follow the rules it's no problem.

Yes, some of the manufacturers ship to Canada. I live in Calgary, and have had some sent to me in the last few months. However, you'll need to upgrade to a real Single Action revolver to use them.

Fast Draw 101 with Howard Darby oh really? Im in Calgary as well actually. I’m very new to all this, like don’t have any equipment new. I’m just looking for information at this point. Is there a club in Calgary I could check out to get information & possibly join at some point?

Yes, we shoot most Monday evenings in Okotoks. You can email me at howard @ gunfighter.com for details.