I don't know about your neck of the woods, but here in CFL, there is plenty of snap, crackle and pop going on from fireworks. Technically they are "illegal" but the good gubna Ronny D signed a law last year saying Dec. 31st, Jan. 1st and July 4th they are "OK"...
The yahoos (myself included) have "stretched" the holiday out for the entire weekend with noisemaking beginning Friday night.
Like gun fire, it is the sound of Freedom!
Anyhow, tonight was a perfect time to function test the two styles of Techrims I ordered, single ought buck and slug. Installed the Opsol and it appeared to function well helping to guide the shells in and out during a dry run. As it was a Saturday, no one was around the shop nor traveling the street so I loaded, then fired one round of each in the 500 with 18.5" barrel. Directed both shots towards the ground at about a 45^ angle. The picture is the result--a hole about 8" in diameter and 6" deep.
My son took a video but doesn't really show much other than sparks out the barrel and some noise. Yes, they sounded "loud" to me with earmuffs on... The 500 has Tamers on it (fore-end and PGO) but no "kick" was noted. Satisfied they worked, I then alternately loaded the tube with 4 of each--the regular mag tube of the 500 will hold 8. At a little over 400fps (info from the box) it would be interesting to see how they perform on ballistic gelatin.
A couple days ago I re-ordered 5 boxes each of slugs, 0-buck and added birdshot (#8?) this time. Price on the slugs and bird were $6 as Raz noted and the 0-buck was $9 and change. Total was about $130 after shipping which is average $0.58/rd. I still haven't received a confirmation for this order but I will attribute that to the holiday weekend.
In related 4th news, I went to the local fireworks "tent" and perused the selection. Prices HAVE gone up!
At least 50% since last year and yes, we celebrated the 4th in FL last year--Fark Fauxrona!
I walked out empty-handed figuring it would be cheaper to buy ammo plus I already have a bunch of leftover fireworks from the New Year.