Non-toxic, heavy-metal-free shotshell primer mix

A non-toxic heavy-metal-free priming mix and a method of forming same, designed especially for industrial shotshells and other shotshells having abnormally heavy charges of propellant in an effort to qualify for heavy duty assignments such as the need to break up cement which has set up within a cement kiln and impedes the operation of the kiln. The mix is characterized by the inclusion of a secondary highly shock-sensitive explosive, PETN, in unusually large amounts such as 13-17% by weight of the mix as well as equally large amounts of powdered aluminum, as a fuel. This combination, supported by potassium nitrate and ferric oxide as primary and secondary oxidizers, respectively, proves to be highly effective. Each of the components, namely DDNP, PETN, tetracene, glass, powdered aluminum, potassium nitrate, ferric oxide, and gum tragacanth is non-toxic and heavy-metal-free. The unusual combination of PETN and powdered aluminum as components, in the unusually large percentages thereof, generate unusual quantities of energy which makes a shotshell loaded with same, inherently effective in adequately firing unusually heavy loads (slugs), which will accomplish such difficult tasks effectively.