I made a cannon.

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Aerindel

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Oct 20, 2020
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Location
On some scarred slope of battered hill
Core is a oil well drill shaft from Alaska. Forged reinforcement rings and straps and carriage parts.

2.75" bore. Firing concrete filled soda can projectiles.

Weight approx 150lbs.

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...Firing concrete filled soda can projectiles.
Weight approx 150lbs.

Beautiful. :cool: How was the recoil - Did it 'jump'? 🤔 I'm betting so (but not as much as one might Think, due to the weight..) How far back did it 'plow', at least? Just curious.. Totally Bitchin, Mang. :cool:

PS - I assume yer gonna, at Some point, look to cast yer own 'Rounds'? (didn't wanna say 'Balls'.. ;) If so, this looks promising as a 'Model' / Test-shot: https://www.rotometals.com/salmon-lead-2-8-diameter-cannonball-sinker-5-lb-80oz/

LeadBallSinker5-2__41186.1467151466.jpg
🤔

..Could easily extract the 'eye' / 'rasp it down to-size' as-needed (if it's Truly 2.8") and/or torch it down a bit.. From there, you'd have a Nice model to mold-from, and then 'roll yer own', as I'm sure you'd prefer. :cool:

jd
 
My only question is: how much black powder does it consume per shot?
We built small cannons when I was a kid that fired "D" batteries over 400 yards.
We proof-tested them with 3 heaping tablespoons of FF-bp and that recoil would drive the back end into the ground. :oops:
(We set them up at a 45° angle for maximum range.)
 
We built small cannons when I was a kid that fired "D" batteries over 400 yards.
How did you ever find them? Were they Eveready's strapped to a flashlight? :)
An old friend of mine had a similar cannon to @Aerindel
He shot in the same direction all the time. What was once woods became what looked like a fire break about 40' wide. Got lots of firewood out of it from the trees that were felled by the cannon.
 
How did you ever find them? Were they Eveready's strapped to a flashlight? :)
An old friend of mine had a similar cannon to @Aerindel
He shot in the same direction all the time. What was once woods became what looked like a fire break about 40' wide. Got lots of firewood out of it from the trees that were felled by the cannon.
We didn't. We had an unlimited supply of dead batteries because you couldn't burn them in the garage pile.
We just shot them down the bend in the river just to see who could shoot the furthest.
"D"s fit perfectly in 1-1/4" galvanized pipe, no wadding needed. :thumbs:
(I know I didn't just post that on the internet.gaah)
 
My only question is: how much black powder does it consume per shot?
We built small cannons when I was a kid that fired "D" batteries over 400 yards.
We proof-tested them with 3 heaping tablespoons of FF-bp and that recoil would drive the back end into the ground. :oops:
(We set them up at a 45° angle for maximum range.)
Did you grow up on the moon?

45 degrees only achieves maximum range in a vacuum.

Where air resistance is applicable, the optimum barrel elevation for maximum range, is less than 45 degrees, but generally varies from the high twenties to high thirties, depending upon the ballistic parameters of the projectile, muzzle velocity and atmospheric parameters.
 
Core is a oil well drill shaft from Alaska. Forged reinforcement rings and straps and carriage parts.

2.75" bore. Firing concrete filled soda can projectiles.

Weight approx 150lbs.

ow99TY7l.png


LOYpLQ3l.png


DnRN8bMl.png
In the end, how long did it take to cut the pipe?

Ben
 
In the end, how long did it take to cut the pipe?

Ben

I lost count. It was many hours. I had to cut both ends because originally it was torch cut and it was weeks working at each cut .


Cutting it was my summer project. Anytime I had free time, I would put on an audibook in my ear muffs, and sit down with my chop saw and grind another 1/4" away or so.
 
Not speaking fot the OP but in my blackpowder frontstuffer I use a squared load. Same volume of shot/projectile to powder. But for just making a noise and flash a reduced charge can be used

Mine is a pancake. 1/2" of powder, and 4-5" of projectile.

I might work it up from there, I might not. It already will throw a can right through a 2x6 .
 
My only question is: how much black powder does it consume per shot?
We built small cannons when I was a kid that fired "D" batteries over 400 yards.
We proof-tested them with 3 heaping tablespoons of FF-bp and that recoil would drive the back end into the ground. :oops:
(We set them up at a 45° angle for maximum range.)

2ozs

So far. Although with that short of barrel, I'm not sure more powder would get me more power.
 
Awesome. :cool:

Sheriff (or anyone else such-like) show up? 🤔 BOOOOOOMMM!!! 'Uh, Hunneh.. I don't think that thar was a 12 gauge..' ;)

jd

It's Montana......closest neighbor is 1/2 mile away and they have been hearing things blow up here for 40 years. Nobody cares.
 
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