Black Widow Shells

Load It. Light It. Own the Sky One Shot at a Time.

Aerial cakes fire themselves. The Black Widow Shells puts you in charge. Each of the 24 shells loads manually into a fiberglass mortar tube, and you decide the pace, the gaps, and the sequence. The result is a high-altitude break at the maximum powder load allowed by federal law: 60 grams per shell, fired exactly when you want it.

Built Different From the Ground Up

The Black Widow was engineered to outperform competing shells. RGS Brand built a larger shell, which required stronger tubes, which produced a better launch, higher altitude, and a wider break.

  • True 60-gram canister shells: The maximum legal powder load for consumer artillery shells. The actual ceiling set by federal law.
  • 24 shells per kit, 4 fiberglass tubes included: Fiberglass tubes withstand repeated 60-gram launches far better than standard cardboard alternatives.
  • Rises an average of 20 feet higher than competing shells: The larger shell required a stronger lift charge, pushing the Black Widow significantly above where imitation shells break.
  • 20% more composition per shell: More stars in every break means wider, fuller aerial coverage than standard powder load shells.
  • 20% brighter output than comparable products: The difference is visible to the naked eye at display distance.
  • 24 assorted effects: Each shell in the kit produces a different break. No two shots look identical throughout the sequence.

Who Buys the Black Widow and Why

The Black Widow buyer has moved past pre-programmed cakes and wants to build their own show, shot by shot.

  • Complete control over pacing: Load one shell, fire it, watch the full break develop, then decide when to load the next. No sequence forces the timing on you.
  • High-altitude breaks visible from distance: Extra lift pushes breaks well above where standard consumer shells detonate. Guests across a field or lakefront see full, clean breaks without obstruction.
  • A different experience from any cake or cracker: Each shell is a singular, deliberate event in the sky. The pause between shots builds anticipation that rapid multi-shot products cannot replicate.
  • Strong closer for a multi-product display: A sequence of 60-gram shells after cakes and firecrackers produces an unmistakable shift in power and altitude that signals a finale.

When Black Widow Shells Hit Hardest

This product rewards events with open space, crowd distance, and a shooter willing to run the show manually.

  • Large backyard and rural property shows: Extra altitude and wide break radius require open space. Properties with room to keep spectators well back get the full effect.
  • Lakefront and open-field celebrations: Breaks at maximum altitude over open water or flat land produce the most dramatic visual impact.
  • Fourth of July finales: A closing sequence of 60-gram shells after a full display brings an unmistakable shift in scale that audiences respond to immediately.
  • Show openers for experienced shooters: Some buyers lead with shells to establish altitude and power before moving into cakes and ground-level products.

Respect the Power, Run a Safe Show

Artillery shells carry the highest output of any consumer fireworks product. The National Council on Fireworks Safety advises that reloadable shells must only be fired from a secured mortar tube and that no part of the body should ever be placed over a loaded tube.

  • Never fire a shell outside its mortar tube. The tube is not optional. Firing a shell in open air is a leading cause of serious injuries.
  • Never look down a loaded tube for any reason. This applies before, during, and after lighting. No exceptions.
  • Secure the tube on a firm, flat, hard surface. A bucket of dry sand is the recommended base. A tipped tube mid-launch creates a ground-level projectile hazard.
  • Load one shell at a time. Never pre-load multiple tubes to fire simultaneously without a professionally designed rack system.
  • Back away at least 150 feet immediately after lighting. Spectators must maintain the same distance before any shell is fired.
  • Wait at least 45 seconds before reloading a tube. Heat builds inside the tube after each shot. Reloading too quickly risks ignition during the load.
  • Never approach a shell that did not fire. Wait 20 minutes minimum, then soak the shell and tube in water before any approach.
  • Retire a tube after six shells. Repeated firing degrades tube integrity beyond safe use.

Why the Black Widow Belongs at Black Bull

Black Bull carries the Black Widow alongside a full range of reloadable shell kits, letting buyers compare shell sizes, gram loads, and effect counts before purchasing.

  • Staff who understand shell shooting: The team matches a shell kit to your experience level, event size, and available space.
  • Mortar tubes and accessories in-store: Additional tubes are available alongside shells so buyers can expand tube count without sourcing parts separately.
  • Authentic RGS Brand product: Genuine product only. Not imitation shells sold under similar names.
  • Case pricing available: Buyers planning large events can ask about case quantities for significant per-unit savings.

Frequently Asked Questions Answered

What is included in the Black Widow kit?

Each kit contains 24 canister shells with assorted effects and 4 fiberglass mortar tubes built specifically for repeated 60-gram shell launches.

How high do Black Widow shells break?

On average, Black Widow shells rise approximately 20 feet higher than most comparable consumer artillery shells before breaking. The larger shell required a stronger lift charge, producing extra altitude over imitation products.

How does a reloadable shell kit differ from an aerial cake?

An aerial cake fires all shots automatically from a single fuse. A reloadable shell kit requires manual loading of each shell before firing. The shooter controls pacing, timing, and sequence entirely.

Are the mortar tubes reusable?

Yes, but each tube should be retired after approximately six shots. Heat buildup degrades tube integrity over time. The kit includes four tubes for rotation across the 24-shell sequence.

Is the Black Widow suitable for a first-time shell shooter?

The Black Widow is a maximum-load shell and carries significant power. First-time shell shooters should consider starting with a lower-gram kit before moving to 60 grams. The team at Black Bull can help choose the right starting point.

Find It in Store Before It Sells Out

The Black Widow moves fast before major holidays. Talk to our team about kit options, tube counts, and case pricing at Black Bull Fireworks, 10505 U.S. 12, Michigan City, IN 46360 or call (219) 561-0203 before the season peaks.