Author Topic: 1# lead ball velocity?  (Read 994 times)

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Offline Victor3

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1# lead ball velocity?
« on: February 05, 2009, 02:27:13 AM »
 I'm thinking about getting some kind of a golf ball cannon. Anyone know what the muzzle velocity of a lead ball would be with the max recommended charge of cannon grade BP out of a 20" bbl?

 I have a P.A.C.T. chrono, but don't think I'll be using it with a cannon this large...
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Offline seacoastartillery

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Re: 1# lead ball velocity?
« Reply #1 on: February 05, 2009, 09:47:36 AM »
     Victor3,   We haven't even see one picture of your rifled cannon yet and now you are going on to a round shot gun?  Well, that's OK; everyone needs more than one cannon, including you.  Although we can't tell you specifically what that muzzle velocity would be, we can give you some good news about the use of a chronograph to measure ball or bolt velocities.

     You should have good consistent results if you:

1)   Cover the light entry ports above the light sensors with clear cellophane tape.  This will keep any particulate contamination from the BP combustion process from partially occluding the sensors.  We have found, by actual tests, that this is important.

2)   Place the sensors far enough away from the muzzle to avoid any blast effect.  We found through firing tests that 15 feet works for our application which is 518 grs. BP pushing a 9 oz. steel bolt at 1,300 fps.  Plenty of muzzle blast, but fewer escaping powder grains due to the heavier projectile mass with the result of higher pressure producing a more complete burn.

    The photo below shows chronograph position during the firing of a rifling-test barrel in our landscape log fixture.  The position of all equipment is apparent. The only other tip we can offer is the projectile coloring procedure which we use to prevent glare from sunlight as the projectile passes over the screens.  On our 12L14, cylindrical, steel bolts which we shoot "in the white", we use a black marker to color three stripes from top to bottom aligned with the bolt's long axis.  On a round shot, we would color the whole shot.

Good luck,

Tracy and Mike


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Offline Victor3

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Re: 1# lead ball velocity?
« Reply #2 on: February 06, 2009, 02:40:18 AM »
     Victor3,   We haven't even see one picture of your rifled cannon yet and now you are going on to a round shot gun? 
Tracy and Mike

 Well, I did show the "stock" pics of it that Dom sent  ;)



 Right now, the 75 is partially discombobulated to perform some tweaks that I hope will make it more accurate. More pics to follow when it's back together.

 The 75 will be for accuracy, the golf ball one for crushing rocks  ;D

 Thanks for the tips on using a chrono. I'll test the 75 for sure, but lobbing a lead golf ball at the thing has me a little worried  :-\
"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 BoomLover

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Re: 1# lead ball velocity?
« Reply #3 on: February 06, 2009, 08:04:05 AM »
Speaking of velocity, that is a measure of speed, right? Speed is measured in time, like point "a" to point "b", and how quick it will arrive? How fast a lead ball will travel is the question. Hummm, if you can't SEE it fly...? I'd have to say that as a comparison, how long does it take for the smell to hit your nose after you run over a skunk? If it is quicker than that, what more do you need to know? :-) Seriously, that is a good question, and I'm sure many of us would like to know the velocity of a golf ball-sized (16 ounce) lead ball! That would be a "rock crusher", for sure! BoomLover
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Offline Terry C.

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Re: 1# lead ball velocity?
« Reply #4 on: February 06, 2009, 08:26:51 AM »
In one of his standup routines, comedian Ron White said of a plane ride ...


"We were travellin' at half the speed of smell!"

Offline Victor3

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Re: 1# lead ball velocity?
« Reply #5 on: February 06, 2009, 11:23:33 PM »
In one of his standup routines, comedian Ron White said of a plane ride ...


"We were travellin' at half the speed of smell!"

 I remember reading years ago that a pilot of an A-10 Thunderbolt (Warthog) commented that the airspeed indicator should be replaced with a calendar.

 Another said that it was the only plane he had ever piloted where he was worried about a bird strike from the rear.

 OTAY, back on topic now  ;D

 So we don't have any FPS data handy. How much does a lead ball DROP at 50 yds? Anyone???

 We should otta get some kinda practical table/chart/graph put together for smallish cannons using round balls with windage, various bbl lengths and charge data.

 I'll start - My 1" cannon, with 17" bore depth shoots a .970" ball over 250 grains of FG 'really fast' and 'way far.'

 Sorry, that's all I got on the subject  :-[
"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