July 1, 200916 yr Once apon time long long ago. HS metal shop I built a sweet 12ga brass cannon.the pivot pins were drilled and tapped. Loaded it up powder wads and shot. Touched it off. Peppered everything in sight. Blew out one pin. 18 in barrel and base went obout 50yds up the neighbors driveway. Not knowing can do lots of damage. Have also seen a few BP barrels/breechs blown up. Yes you can over or under load powder. Be smart be safe. Ken
July 1, 200916 yr If you search on youtube for the middelater center there is footage of a stave built gun being forged from start to finish
July 1, 200916 yr I humbly recommend the The Artillery Reserve web site as they have artillery design and usage books available free for download online, as well as ordnance safety information. When reading the book The Artillerist Manual, you will notice that canons were rated for how many shots each canon was expected to be able to fire *before it blew up*. This 19th century book goes into various design and manufacturing considerations and how each effects the life of the barrel before it is expected to explode in the faces of the folks operating them. I am not trying to be mean, I genuinely am concerned about your safety in what you are trying to do. Civil War era reenacting canon units are, I have been told, required sometimes to show recent x-rays of their canon to show its *current* structural integrity prior to participation in reenactments. I am not an expert on cannons, but having read these books and listened to "experts", I expect based on the nature of large barreled black powder muzzle loaders, that we could start a pool to place bets on how many shots your final design will last before it blows up. :(
July 2, 200916 yr Author If you search on youtube for the middelater center there is footage of a stave built gun being forged from start to finish Maybe it's just me, but I cannot find the video:(. Could you get me a direct link? Thanks!:cool:
July 2, 200916 yr One last note. you state "I am using black powder" What size? F,FF,FFF there is also a cannon size. I shoot FFF light loads in a .32 cal. I seem to recall F is used in shotguns and 50-69cal rifles. Ken
July 2, 200916 yr Author One last note. you state "I am using black powder" What size? F,FF,FFF there is also a cannon size. I shoot FFF light loads in a .32 cal. I seem to recall F is used in shotguns and 50-69cal rifles. Ken Mine was FF...
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