Author Topic: Has anyone tried barrels from Hern Iron works? (Read 4073 times)

barefiel76 · « **on:** February 03, 2009, 11:49:50 AM »

I am considering a barrel and wanted to see what people thought about them. Looking at Howitzer and Carronade? Ideas?

EL Caz 66 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 03, 2009, 12:06:24 PM »

Don't know about much Hern Iron works, But in my opinion I would give Dominick Carpenter a call, check the sponsor list.

RocklockI · « **Reply #2 on:** February 03, 2009, 01:18:50 PM »

I have go with EL Caz , Dom is it . There was a recent post on Dom's latest Rev. Howie .

I here Herns are OK , but they are kinda like a rock candy company telling you ...."these rock candies aren't for eating there just for looking thru. "

They have a paper you need to sign, have noterized ,and they are not for live fire ........

Sorry I've been on a Clint Eastwood binge the last two weeks movie marathons and all.

barefiel76 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 03, 2009, 01:19:07 PM »

what about the 69 Caliber, Black Powder MOUNTAIN HOWITZER Barrel from Brooks-USA? I was heavily considering the 69 24 pounder, but I am also thinking price, which is an important topic right now.

Spuddy · « **Reply #4 on:** February 03, 2009, 02:47:42 PM »

I would definitely get in contact with Dominick Carpenter. I have purchased from him in the past and just sent him a deposit today for another cannon. His products are first rate and he is willing to accommodate special requests. Price is one consideration, confidence in the safe performance of the barrel is another.

EL Caz 66 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 03, 2009, 03:05:25 PM »

I can not tell a lie I too have Several Brooks Brass guns and enjoy them very much, but if your looking for big bang for your buck go with Dom for your first cannon. Then give Brooks a shot for the next cannon, because it doesn't stop at one cannon or mortar it goes on and on, the addiction grows. Believe me I started with one and now I own many different style cannons & mortars. After your first cannon or mortar cames home your instantly hook! Good luck ..

EL Caz 66

barefiel76 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 03, 2009, 03:53:02 PM »

Thank you for the suggestions. I emailed Dom and I will keep you posted.

My wife asked me why I'm having a hard time deciding what to do. Clearly she doesn't understand the world of options I'm being faced with.... I tried to show her pictures but the blank stares don't help me much. You guys on the other hand, very helpful!

gulfcoastblackpowder · « **Reply #7 on:** February 03, 2009, 04:30:15 PM »

I have a Hern barrel (5/8 Carronade), and have fired a number of them for years. They are very good, though as said, they absolve themselves of any responsibility if you choose to fire them. It's really a matter of what you're looking for and budget.

KABAR2 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 03, 2009, 05:31:29 PM »

I can understand Hern's attitude with the disclaimer, we live in a sue happy society once the manufacturer has sold the product

they have no control over it, there are enough videos on Utube showing yahooo's blowing things up/ shattering carriages causing

themselves injury, to send shivers through anyone who has ever thought to build these for resale,

Lapan stopped making cannon years ago because of a law suite. heck I notice even Dom has stamped

into his tubes "BLACK POWDER ONLY" Ruger has something about reading the instruction manual on every gun built since the 1970's

why? a law suite where someone did something stupid. Hern makes a plain Jane product it's a entry level tube,

I don't own one I have used one in the past with no problem, I don't own any of Dom's stuff yet, but from all reports

and what I have seen in photo's he makes a quality product, I have recommended his cannon to others on another board,

because I like what I see.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #9 on:** February 04, 2009, 12:48:33 AM »

Quote from: barefiel76 on February 03, 2009, 03:53:02 PM

...
Clearly she doesn't understand the world of options I'm being faced with.... I tried to show her pictures but the blank stares don't help me much.
....

It's the female equivalent of our saying, "yes, dear; yes, dear ...."

Victor3 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 04, 2009, 02:04:49 AM »

Quote from: barefiel76 on February 03, 2009, 03:53:02 PM

Clearly she doesn't understand....

Must be a universal quality of them wimens...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIutgtzwhAc

navygunner · « **Reply #11 on:** February 04, 2009, 03:43:23 AM »

Our unit has had a Hern mt. Howitzer tube for years never live fired to my knowledge but alot of blank 4oz cartridge expended over the years. The USNLP has purchased 2 tubes for their use. I changed my motar order from Dom to a swivel gun and should have it sometime this month. Dom is very accomodating Folks!!!

geo

rusty barrels · « **Reply #12 on:** February 04, 2009, 05:13:42 AM »

I have several guns from Hern but have not had the time to shoot them yet, and I do plan on firing live loads. There are alot of folks here that own them too, they just probably have not responded yet. Yes they do have a disclaimer but so do the others. What it come down to is you have got to know what your doing, just because you can shoot alot of different kinds of guns doesn't mean you know how to load and shoot a cannon. Caution is always the way to go.

BoomLover · « **Reply #13 on:** February 04, 2009, 05:54:32 AM »

Never had a Hern's barrel, but I just got my GB "Thunder Cup" ( a 1/2 sized thunder mug, from my material) from Dom, very nice, he will work with you, and price is right! For sure, contact him! He does stamp them now with "Black Powder Only", and he is very quick ! I've also gotten two Mortars from Classic, excellent workmanship on barrels, also on sleds and beds. A disclaimer is for both parties protection, if they have one. Like they say, firing a cannon, mortar, or howitzer is nothing like any other gun! Know what your doing before you fire the first shot! BoomLover

Rickk · « **Reply #14 on:** February 04, 2009, 06:53:59 AM »

I have many barrels (Including well made Brooks-Barrels and a well made Dom-C.-Barrel).

Two of my collection are made by Hern.

I have a full sized Carronade barrel and a Coehorn mortar barrel.

They are well made, and can't find much to fault them on.

My only complaint would be that the Hern Mortar does not have a powder subchamber, which makes 100 yard or less shooting very difficult. Ignition of small (100 grain or less) charges in the big 2.25 inch chamber can be erratic. It is near impossible to get the small charge to sit the same way and be fused the same way every time.

I forget the precise 100 yard charge I use with 2.25 inch lead balls, but it is around 90-100 grains. The 45 degree, 100 yard load is right on the verge of almost being OK, but not perfectly. Sometimes the ignition is less than perfect. In general, 100 yard target shooting for me is not very accurate. While I havn't tried shooting it with a projectile at longer than 100 yard ranges, I think that 200 yard shooting accuracy with it would be acceptable.

With 3.5 ounce blanks, there are no hints at all of ignition problems. If you just want to make noise, the Hern Mortar is fun for that. For the same blank charge the longer Carronade barrel has the mortar barrel beat by a factor of many times.

Live and Learn, I do wish the mortar has a sub chamber, and if I convinced my wife that I need another mortar for accurate target shooting I would be calling one of the board sponsors to have them make something closer to meeting my needs.

Rick

Evil Dog · « **Reply #15 on:** February 04, 2009, 09:11:34 AM »

I've a Hern half scale Napoleon that I sleeved down to golfball bore.

The only complaint I have is that I can't get out to fire it too often. Matter of fact I have as of yet to fire the first golfball size round !!!

GGaskill · « **Reply #16 on:** February 04, 2009, 10:00:59 AM »

Well that answers that question.

dynomike · « **Reply #17 on:** February 04, 2009, 02:11:01 PM »

This is a Hern 2.25" Mt. howitizer the only thing i have shot through it is pool balls. I havent found any probablems yet.

Ex 49'er · « **Reply #18 on:** February 04, 2009, 08:57:49 PM »

Dynomike, Are you going to load up some cannister shot and shoot your 2.25 Hern over yer deeks to get a passle of ducks?

Your Fish and Game would probably frown on that.

tesavis · « **Reply #19 on:** February 05, 2009, 01:48:29 AM »

I built this Napoleon with the 1/2 scale Hern barrel. I have only shot blanks with it so far, but am also planning pool balls. I just need to buy the pool table and then I will have the munition I need.

I wonder if once shot from my gun they will still work as billiard balls?

cannonmn · « **Reply #20 on:** February 05, 2009, 06:12:22 AM »

Sorry but any make who wanted me to sign a waiver or disclaimer saying I could not use their product the way I wanted to use it would see only a cloud of dust where I had been. Such a paper encourages and enables the maker to take no care whatever with their product, and accept no responsibility. I'm outta there based on principle or whatever, there are just too many people out there anxious for your business that will stand behind what they sell.

I have never had a Hern barrel but I've had some SBR pieces and was happy with the quality and responsibility there.

Rickk · « **Reply #21 on:** February 05, 2009, 06:56:09 AM »

Hern isn't the only one that sells them with a disclaimer of some sort.

I think part of the issue is that they can't predict what will be put in the barrel after they sell it. Sometimes smokless gets used, sometimes crazy BP charges get used, sometimes projectiles are insane. We hear about such things here once in a while after they blow up. It's a bit different deal than buying pre-loaded shotgun shells and shooting them in shotguns proofed for standard pressure shells.

On the other hand, I asked for and (for more $$ of course) got an NSSA spec'ed breech plug in my Carronade. They always use seemless steel liners. If I was buying a lawn ornament all that won't have been needed.

This discussion is a good one. One has to ask lots of questions, evaluate all the pros/cons and opinions, and in the end decide for oneself what is best for him.

Rick

dynomike · « **Reply #22 on:** February 05, 2009, 07:57:27 AM »

49er Trying to figure out what size shot to use.

Double D · « **Reply #23 on:** February 05, 2009, 01:42:20 PM »

Hern may display guns at the Montana shoot

Blaster · « **Reply #24 on:** February 05, 2009, 02:09:10 PM »

Quote from: Double D on February 05, 2009, 01:42:20 PM

Hern may displat guns at the Montana shoot

I presume DD meant "display". Maybe it's just the meds he's on.

thelionspaw · « **Reply #25 on:** February 05, 2009, 02:17:45 PM »

Russell Crowe has tried them.. Hern made the swivel gun for "Master and Commander". There's a great shot of it on the rail in one of the last scenes. Reminds me of this years calendar cover (sort of). They now make it in a golf ball bore.

rc

Double D · « **Reply #26 on:** February 05, 2009, 03:48:19 PM »

yep, meds....

RocklockI · « **Reply #27 on:** February 06, 2009, 03:24:19 PM »

Hern display ? that would be cool . I've admired their "swivel" gun but at 104lbs it's basicly not for me .

I do like the Spanish howie they sell at $220 w/ a 2.25" bore . As I am looking for a suitable gun for my wifes DAR Chapter . I think it would look great on a small twin trailed carrage .

thelionspaw · « **Reply #28 on:** February 06, 2009, 03:47:50 PM »

Rocklock: The English swivel; it is 81 lbs in golf ball. Joel Brown just weighed one for me. I have one and questioned the weight.

rc

Victor3 · « **Reply #29 on:** February 07, 2009, 02:22:21 AM »

I'm surprised that any maker would supply an un-lined cast bbl today, regardless of any 'hold harmless' agreement obtained from a buyer.

Seems it would still expose one to legal liability if push came to shove in court over a burst bbl that could be determined to have had casting flaws. It wouldn't help much if a maker obviously had knowledge of his 'decorative cannons' being used all over the place for live fire.

At least with a bbl bored from bar stock or properly fabricated from seamless tubing, you're more assured of the integrity of the material.