This is only for a fun target load, specifically for a couple very young shooters.

If i were interested in dog/wildlife problems, I'd be looking at capsicum pepper powder behind that rock salt.

"less than lethal"

I hate that phrase. anything that comes out the barrel is the responsibility of the shooter. it doesn't even have to have a barrel. Sling, bow, spring, CO2, firearm. all are capable of serious, even lethal consequences. Just because the intent might be fun and games; safety is the real name of the game.

I can see that but, I was just using that as reference for it begin less than lethal, and a possible alternative if you couldn’t find something else.

I buy those in bulk and use them in my SAA 45 colt for practice at 10 yards or so they give good accuracy and will put a dent in a cardboard target and can be reused several times

I also use those fancy cases that use the 209 primers

the police have gone to calling it "Less Lethal" police are no longer allowed to use more than 5 less lethal shotgun rounds , this came from a case in FL were a guy had ducktaped machetes into his hands and after altercation with police wedged himself under a stair well , police shot him a bunch of times trying to get him out he died from the internal injuries to organs.

If it was me, I'd put a little black powder in there under a couple card wads. Then the rubber ball with an overshot card and roll/fold crimp.
It may be a little spicier than what you're looking for but it would work. Alternatively I'd see if a primer alone would get you where you want to be.

I've done some ultra light loads in 12 gauge. The issue with smokeless is pressure or the lack of. Extra Lite will get a light load moving but it won't be slow and it will be really corrosive when you're on the edge of blooperville. The lightest I've gone is 70 grains of white rice in a steel rated wad or a quarter ounce of lead BB's. They are moving along at 1,700 fps. At that, they are just above a blooper loading. https://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?p=3775727#p3775727

That is exactly along the line of what I have in mind. Right now, it is still theory, so we'll have to see what happens in practice. Some of my thoughts are:

• The wad could be a plastic BP style gas seal, cardboard (cereal box), cork, or possibly the ball itself, depending on fit.
• If more than just a primer is necessary, black powder would be the first choice, except that I don't have any on hand. I'll start with a half dozen gr of pistol or shotgun powder.
• The ball will compress in the barrel. I will use an open cylinder/no choke barrel. If it is a problem, it might be resolved by using a shotcup wad. I haven't mic'd anything yet, so just guessing.
• The ricochet will be interesting. Whether it needs to controlled or just considered is to be seen.
• The crimp is still up in the air, too. If the ball fits tightly enough, maybe no crimp is necessary. Maybe a roll crimp with no o'shot card, just folded over into the hull, might be sufficient

The real world often looks a lot different than my imagination, so, can't wait to start testing.

Nothing Scientific...So Democrats need not read any further.

I pushed one of my rubber balls into a 12 ga AA primed hull.

No wad

No powder

No crimp

Pulled the trigger.

Wow!! No louder than a .22 short. Really smacked the middle of a canvas tarp at 8 yards.

i didn't recover the ball, didn't have a target to determine point of impact, didn't measure sound pressure level, didn't measure velocity.

I love the potential, and hoping to do some decent testing in the next few days.

We need a video

I know I'm getting ahead of myself here, but:

i was going to sketch up a turkey for a target this morning. Not being much of an artist, I did a search on "how to draw a turkey'. Everything that came up was way too cute to have kids shooting at.

Now my turkey shoot will feature a vulture.

Yes out of a 410

Nice and simple. I like it.
Care to share the rubber ball link/source?

Here is a link to the balls...18mm rubber balls They are available at Amazon much cheaper. I couldn't post that link, however, because it included personal information from my purchase.