Author Topic: My First Cannon - First Ball Down Range Today  (Read 963 times)

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Offline XxLT250RxX

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My First Cannon - First Ball Down Range Today
« on: February 01, 2009, 11:33:36 AM »
I have been working on this for a while and thought some of you might want to see it.  Sent the first projectile down range today.  I machined every piece from steel or brass except for the wheels which are Amish made.  I know you diehard cannoneers may not like it much as the carrage is not an exact replica of anything in particular.  The barrel is slightly over 23 inches long with a 1 1/4 in bore plus windage.  It has a full radius chamber and meets the one caliber rule.  The whole thing weigh in at a little over 135 pounds. 


Offline Artilleryman

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Re: My First Cannon - First Ball Down Range Today
« Reply #1 on: February 01, 2009, 12:14:25 PM »
Very nice.  You didn't say anything about how the test firing went. 
Norm Gibson, 1st SC Vol., ACWSA

Offline XxLT250RxX

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Re: My First Cannon - First Ball Down Range Today
« Reply #2 on: February 01, 2009, 12:17:40 PM »
A couple more.




Offline XxLT250RxX

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Re: My First Cannon - First Ball Down Range Today
« Reply #3 on: February 01, 2009, 12:42:39 PM »
Quote
You didn't say anything about how the test firing went.

I didn't get to fire it much but I can tell you right now my attention will be focused on some sort of sighting system next.  I made up 4 sabots consting of a 2 1/2 inch long of dowel rod with a lead ball attached.  The water heater in the pic is at about 20 yards.  Two of the four actually hit it.  One is at the grass line and the last one in almost center.  Two completely missed. 

I was supprised at how little it recoiled.  I was using 350 grains of 1F with the sabot and it only moved about 8 or 9 inches.  The steel carrage must have helped absorb the recoil.  I think I will up the charge some next time.

I dug one of the balls out of the dirt behind the water heater.  The dirt was not packed hard and the ball managed to penetrate 18 to 20 inches.


Offline RocklockI

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Re: My First Cannon - First Ball Down Range Today
« Reply #4 on: February 01, 2009, 01:07:34 PM »
Very nice  ;)
"I've seen too much not to stay in touch , With a world full of love and luck, I got a big suspicion 'bout ammunition I never forget to duck" J.B.

Offline EL Caz 66

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Re: My First Cannon - First Ball Down Range Today
« Reply #5 on: February 01, 2009, 01:37:31 PM »
Sweat! Nice Job.. ;)

Offline dan610324

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Re: My First Cannon - First Ball Down Range Today
« Reply #6 on: February 01, 2009, 01:59:53 PM »
if this is your first cannon , then I cant wait to see your next .
as this one is very beautiful , how will then your next be ??
keep them comming  ;D
Dan Pettersson
a swedish cannon maniac
interested in early bronze guns

better safe than sorry

Offline Cat Whisperer

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Re: My First Cannon - First Ball Down Range Today
« Reply #7 on: February 01, 2009, 02:18:43 PM »
Just one comment --



CALENDAR PICTURE QUALITY!

Tim K                 www.GBOCANNONS.COM
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Offline Blaster

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Re: My First Cannon - First Ball Down Range Today
« Reply #8 on: February 01, 2009, 04:46:58 PM »
XxLT250RxX.  You did a super job on the building that great lookin cannon. 
Graduate of West Point (West Point, Iowa that is)

Offline Evil Dog

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Re: My First Cannon - First Ball Down Range Today
« Reply #9 on: February 01, 2009, 05:37:02 PM »
Very very nice.... I am in awe.
Evil Dog

Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch.
Freedom is a well-armed lamb contesting that vote. - Benjamin Franklin (1759)

Offline Victor3

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Re: My First Cannon - First Ball Down Range Today
« Reply #10 on: February 01, 2009, 08:39:43 PM »
I know you diehard cannoneers may not like it much as the carrage is not an exact replica of anything in particular. 

 Not to worry - They didn't give me too hard of a time when I posted pics of the first cannon I made. It's not exactly 'standard' either...



 Still shoots though...



"It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly, one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts."

Sherlock Holmes

Offline Cat Whisperer

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Re: My First Cannon - First Ball Down Range Today
« Reply #11 on: February 02, 2009, 06:52:31 AM »
There's nothing like blowing the beans out of a can at point-blank range!   ;D
Tim K                 www.GBOCANNONS.COM
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Offline RocklockI

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Re: My First Cannon - First Ball Down Range Today
« Reply #12 on: February 02, 2009, 08:45:26 AM »
"Your boys may git me in a rush but not B4 I turn your head into a.......empty can o beans !"

"...The most powferfull cannon in the world ,it'll blow the beans clean outta your can ..."

"Beanno ! come on Beanno !! "   BLAMMM " Judge you never gave him a chance ...." . "If he wanted a chance he shoulda gone somewheres else."

 :D
"I've seen too much not to stay in touch , With a world full of love and luck, I got a big suspicion 'bout ammunition I never forget to duck" J.B.

Offline XxLT250RxX

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Re: My First Cannon - First Ball Down Range Today
« Reply #13 on: February 02, 2009, 03:24:33 PM »
Thanks for the comments guys.  You guys and others on this board were invaluable during my build.  I didn't ask any questions but I read allot.  I wanted to build as safe a cannon as possible so I spent hours reading everthing I could find.  I have wanted to build a cannon for a long time but did not want to get killed with it.  I think this one is relative safe although I am still unsure about the charge it will handle.  The 350 grains of 1F behind the lead ball did not impress me much.