Caliber question?
 

Sorry if not posting this in the correct section...

I am helping a friend with a video-shoot, where we need to effectively "blow up" small blocks of plaster (say 6" x 6") while filming with high-speed video equipment.

To save from running out of test blocks, what would be the best caliber and bullet-type combo to essentially create the most explosive effect on these plaster blocks? My original thought was using a .243 with a high speed plastic-tip round. Or would something like a .410 or 12 gauge slug create more surface damage?

I have a variety of rifle or hand gun loads/calibers that we could use.

Any thoughts?

Thank you!!

Why do you want to crush plaster blocks, what are they supposed to represent?

I am not sure what's the interest of shooting plaster blocks without testing for yourself what works best. Is the point to record the "blowing up" of stuff instead of showcasing how different calibers perform. Why don't you shoot them with different calibers regarding bullet weight and speed and record them all. Then try water jugs, concrete blocks, and metal plates.

I suspect there are thing we are not being told. Videos of objects being, his words not mine, "blown up" by bullets and then winding up on U -Tube or some other repository for nonsense do not do anything good for gun owners.

Ok guys, sorry for trying to ask a serious question. I am middle-aged successful businessman and gun owner, helping a friend/business owner with a professional video shoot.

For those that want to be serious here, the plaster blocks are representing letters that need to "explode" for the purpose of their commercial or pictorial. (nowhere in final pictures/commercial product will there be a gun, or even a gunshot)

In a previous run, black powder was poured into drilled holes to create the effect. I am not sure if the black powder did not provide the entire effect they were looking for, or just trying something different, or no direct access to black powder. The trial here could be a complete failure, but was hoping that other firearm/ammunition enthusiasts might have some insight on what might work best.

This is an open forum, so feel free to mock the question and I will certainly be happy to spend my time elsewhere.

There are few calibers that will do more "damage" at close range than a 12 gauge slug !!!

How's that ?

The problem you are going to have is the "explosive" effect which you seem to be seeking. Bullets will tend to punch through a plaster block rather than creating what I feel you are looking for. They may crack up quite a bit but I am thinking you are looking more for that shattering effect rather than a punch through. What you COULD do it find a tannerite target http://www.tannerite.com/ or a small jar of it and load the plaster block with a small charge of that and THEN shoot it. You will get a nice explosive breakage for filming in slow motion.

leeklm, had you explained your motives in the original post there wouldn't have been any question about the motive.

I have a friend in Hollywood who is a prop master for movies. They deal with all aspects of things on the set along with some special effects and this sounds alot like things he deals with. Must be a fun job.
SH54 you have a lot of all things guns knowledge.:happy0001:

Valid point. In my haste, i see that the initial post left much to the imagination...

Naaa, just been around them a LONG LONG time. Played with Tannerite quite a bit too. After so many years of shooting and working on them I guess you tend to pick up a thing or 2.

I don't know the budget but maybe tannerite might be a less of a headache?

Tannerite is sone serious stuff. I honestly can't believe you can just walk in and buy it off the shelf.
My buddy shot off 11lbs at one time. Holy cow. It shook my house from 500yds away.

I'm not sure what to do in regards to the OP's question, but if you could get that stuff to work...its impressive.

LMAO! an 11 pound tanner shoot! Biggest I've ever popped off was a 5 pounder at 800 yards. Knowing the target was hit was NOT in question :D

quick update... With another senseless tragedy by the lunatic in Oregon, I can understand concerns about "recklessness" on youtube, etc when it comes to firearms.

We had a successful camera shoot today. The setup was quite impressive. About $100K in video and camera equipment (this is what these guys do for a living) the full green screen backdrop, etc.

I picked up some tannerite (thank you for the suggestion), but the letter blocks being used did not lend themselves to being able to insert much of the material. The one shot we did with the tannerite added a little more smoke to the pic, but was not worth the time it took. We shot the plain plaster letters using a .243 with 100gr Remington CoreLok. Just happened to be what I had the most of in the safe, so we ran with it. I was operating the rifle about 30 yds back, and went through this process for 8 letters. I must say, I did impress myself by nailing the 1.5" by 1.5" square "dot" for the letter "I" . :)

Here are a couple of picks to give you an idea on what we were doing. Note that I am using my phone to take a still shot off of the computer monitor, so not all that clear of a pic...

I buy it at Academy all the time but I guess the laws change from state to state.

A .220 Swift or 22-250 either with a light bullet or even a .243 with a very light bullet would make for spectacular impact explosions. The velocity makes a huge difference.

https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...nnerite+vs+car
RR

I am actually very surprised that anyone can walk into a sporting goods store that sells tannerite and walk out with as much as you can afford. I don't buy the stuff because I have had a belly full of fools blowing up crap, including target frames on firing ranges. For those who know, is there any kind of record kept of the purchasers? For a while anyone who bought amonium nitrate fertilizer was under suspicion unless you were a farmer. Not that I am advocating records by the government but it is amazing it is legal to sell an explosive no questions asked. One would think Homeland Security would put an end to that with all the clips on you tube.

the guys using large amounts make their own, its easy to make
RR

LOL I quit buying the stuff a long time ago and make my own as RR suggested. Dang stuff is expensive. BUT you can NOT transport the stuff once the 2 elements are mixed together. You grind the 2 elements to a fairly fine powder, store them separately, transport them separately and mix them at the site you are shooting. I like the stuff myself for long range practice. When I'm not "banging the gong" it's a definite signal that you hit the mark without all the walking. And it's pretty funny when you sneak a 1 pounder behind the target and the wife didn't know it :D