was that the last bullet?

[lachapakhan]

so, is that it for the silver bullets?
i was rather enjoying reading about the process, but sadly, the 12th page had a ring of finality.

- lachapakhan

[Mike Briggs]

Actually . . . not quite!

So, I have a few silver bullets.  Actually, I've got another dozen or so ready to be loaded and few ounces of silver that I need to cast.  So far, we've figured out how to cast silver bullets, but we haven't actually shown that they work.   I mean, they look pretty and all, but to really put this whole thing to bed we need to show they're dangerous.  Remeber, both Mythbusters and Jack Lewis (in the Lone Ranger Article) were able to make silver bullets, they just didn't work very well.


So, I just bought 25 pounds of ballistics gelatin for testing.  Dr. Jaansalu wants to do a bunch of fancy calculations then specify some powder charges for the next bunch of bullets, and I've cast a dozen or so lead bullets from the same mold (hopin the Sizer will swage them back down in size).  Then we're going to head out to the gun range, set up a couple of chronos and some gelatin, and see if we can manage to describe the ballistics of silver bullets in some detail.   The History channel is also apparently sending a couple of guys out to film us for a werewolf special they're running. 

THEN I'll be done.

[gryphon340]

how  about rabbit hunting or feral pig hunting with them?

[Mike Briggs]

Probably not     I did some hunting when I was younger . . . in fact, I used to run a trapline many years ago.   Somehow, I became allergic to killing things (besides, we also had a cattle ranch, and I found I like beef a lot better).

The bottom line is that the ballistics gel should tell me more about bullet performance than shooting an actual animal, and I don't feel guilty about blasting gelatin!

[Elle]

I'm looking forward to hearing about the results.

I was re-reading the article and one thing that made me laugh is the cold capsule bullet. Rapid cold relief, indeed. 

Always a good read...and the .444 Marlin silver bullet is looking pretty impressive. Great work, Mike!

[ppbwashu]

I was pretty fascinated with the whole process, too.  Remember, my BS is in metallurgical chemistry, so this was great to read.  Can't wait to find out the final results!

[Snoopy]

I've been fascinated too, and can't wait for more experiments - but this especially caught my attention:

The History channel is also apparently sending a couple of guys out to film us for a werewolf special they're running. 

That is so cool!! How did they find out about you doing all this??
And can you find out when it'll be aired?? Not that we Germans are going to profit from it much, but who knows, maybe it'll find it's way mysteriously onto the internet...
 

[Has]

I hope we can get to see the special here in Europe it sounds like a great documentary

[Mike Briggs]

The History channel isn't really doing a special about our silly silver bullets, they're doing a special about the Beast of Gevuadan, a famous French "werewolf" who actually killed at least sixty people before being killed by a silver bullet.   It's a fascinating tale, and fairly well documented. 

So, the History channel originally contacted Patty's agent because they wanted to interview her as part of the "Modern Werewolf Myths".  Then they saw the silver bullet page, and apparently decided that they were interested in adding a little silver bullet information to the documentary.  I suspect that when all is said and done, I'll be lucky to get a thirty-second spot talking about the crazy man from Montana who's afraid of werewolves, but it should still be fun.

I'm kind of excited because they said they could probably get a high-speed film camera, and it should be fun to film high-speeds of the silver bullets blowing up watermelons and stuff (if they work).  I'll make sure to post more information when I get it.

[opramum]

This is really cool, Mike!! I'll keep checking back for the information!

[Patti L.]

Yay!  If you have any idea when they will put it on the air in the US, and bearing in mind that (I gather) the filming hasn't happened yet, please do post it, perhaps on this thread?  I can get my brother to record it, so I can see, too.

[Mike Briggs]

No worries, I'll make sure I post information as I get it.    Remember though that this project is moving pretty slowly -- it's just something I'm playing with in my spare time.  Thanks for the interest folks, I'm glad you're finding this entertaining.

[Patti L.]

Whether it's entertaining in itself, I couldn't tell you, but your reports on it are definitely engaging and lively!

[Snoopy]

What Patti said!!

I think it's great how you're putting so much effort into this and then share it with us in such minute detail!!

[lachapakhan]

wow! i need to get online and check responses more often.

it's great to hear about the history channel special ...
please, be sure to post notice, links, whatever, when there's something out there for us to go see.

i'm glad you're not done. can't wait to see the rest.
tell patty i love her books. got 'em all.

-lachapakhan