Help the New Guy...please

[6Covered]

Hello.  I'm a total virgin to this cannon stuff.  Wanted one since I was a kid.

Here's the story.  My son-in-law a tool and die guy has built and fooled with homemade cannons in the past.  I asked him to build me one and here's what I got.  It's 3" diameter steel by 15" in length.  The bore is 1.5" and it is bored 9" deep.  He turned this on a lathe.  I don't know the exact type of steel but I think he said 4140?

Anyway here's where I need help.  I went to the local muzzle loader supply and told them what I had and that I just wanted a loud boom.  They told me to use pyrodex P.  We loaded 400 gr and packed it tightly with newspaper.  We got a good boom.

Now I find this sight and start reading.  What I have found sounds like we're on the right path except I am seeing that pyrodex RS is recommended.

What do you experts think?  Am I OK with my charge?  I this safe?

Now I've been on this sight I want to build a Golf Ball Cannon.  Whooha.  This is addictive huh.

Thanks for any help you might offer.

[Double D]

Actually your Cannon has thin walls and wouldn't be allowed under N-SSA and AAA rules. Wall thickness is minumum 1 calibar for safety purposes.  Unless you gun was an exact replica of some Civil war Cannon you couldn't shoot in N-SSA any way. So it realy doesn't matter.  The AAA boys would let you play with ascale modle gun.   But me my self and I,  I don't think I'd worry about it. If it's 4140, I'd just shoot it!

If you got a good boom with 400 grs. Pyrodex then you have the right combination.  Be carefull where you point the thing.  Remember the wad is a projectile.

Black powder is preferred. There are those who say they have been able to make Pyrodex work in cannons, but I haven't. Noise yes, launch projectiles, no. I am also a bit nervous about pressure issues with Pyrodex as it generally takes a bit of resistance to make Pyrodex shoot a projectile. 

Welcome to the board, by the way always glad to have some fresh faces...always seems to be a few who show up this time of year...some drift a way others just hang on...no experts here, just a bunch of fellows sharing a combined knowledge...an all of us learning.

[6Covered]

Double D

Thanks for your input.  I am getting a very loud report.  At this point that 's all I wanted.

Now that I've done some research a GB Mortar may well be in my future.

You have a great forum with a ton of information.  You should be proud.

6

[Cat Whisperer]

VI -

I concur with DD on just go right ahead and shoot it.  I've built several from 4140, good strong steel.

and WELCOME to the board!

You're right, there are great people that attend here - that's what makes it great; and we're right much proud to be a part of it!

Post some pictures when you get a chance.

[GGaskill]

What I have found sounds like we're on the right path except I am seeing that pyrodex RS is recommended.

In my experience, Pyrodex is not a good choice for artillery use.  The fact that you are getting a good report says to me that you are reaching higher pressures than would be reached with black powder. 

Also, you must remember that Pyrodex is supposed to be a volumetric replacement for black powder, not a mass replacement.  So the 400 grain charge of Pyrodex is really equal to a larger charge of black powder(my recollection is the mass equivalent is about 80% so the charge is more like 500 grains of BP.)

If in fact your barrel is 4140, you are probably adequately safe, but I would recommend acquiring some real black powder (especially if you build a golf ball mortar) when you run out of Pyrodex.