Advice Please

[bisleyjohn]

Given the speed of renewals here, it may be a while before I can get my hands on one of these. My friend is making me one in .50 calibre.. I know it will peeve the re-inactors, I know it isn’t a replica, I know it probably doesn’t look right to some.

I also know it’s going to be seriously wallet damaging fun!

Where should I start with powder loads please?

Wads/patched ball? (smoothbore)

Thanks in advance

 

[steam1993]

Start off with about 50 grains and work up from there,Use a .440 ball and .010 patch, use about 4 fingers for fuse, that should give you enough time to step away. I think it looks the part to me. I don't have one that small yet,any way enjoy it and be safe.

 

[Boston Bill]

Cute. Where can I order 1?

 

[bisleyjohn]

Start off with about 50 grains and work up from there,Use a .440 ball and .010 patch, use about 4 fingers for fuse, that should give you enough time to step away. I think it looks the part to me. I don't have one that small yet,any way enjoy it and be safe.

Thank you. As I say it will be a while, my local Firearms office is quoting eighty days, it’s the virus!

 

[bisleyjohn]

Cute. Where can I order 1?

Mik’s your man!

http://www.dolphinguncompany.co.uk/the-dolphin-cannon.html

 

[nightwolf1974]

Start off with about 50 grains and work up from there,Use a .440 ball and .010 patch, use about 4 fingers for fuse, that should give you enough time to step away. I think it looks the part to me. I don't have one that small yet,any way enjoy it and be safe.

Don't you mean a .490 ball....being .50cal.?

 

[Zonie]

IMO, a good load for that cannon based on its size would be a .490 diameter ball over 20 grains of powder. I think a 50 grain powder load would be way too much for it because of the recoil.

For a reference, the Lyman BLACK POWDER HANDBOOK & LOADING MANUAL, shows 4 powder loads for a .50 caliber pistol with a 8" long barrel. The loads range from 25 to 40 grains and the 25 grain powder load of 2Fg powder makes 240 Ft/Lbs of energy. The 40 grain 2Fg powder load makes 376 Ft/Lbs of energy.
More than enough to launch that cannon a good distance when it fires.

 

[Rifleman1776]

HC or not, I think it is way neat. I would use an unpatched .490" ball and about 50 gr. bp. For noise only, no projectile, up to about 90 gr. would be fine. It will still recoil but you won't be doing this in the house.

 

[Bob McBride]

I visualize a .490 round ball. 5-10 grains of 1/2f, one eye closed and a watermelon.

 

[bisleyjohn]

Thanks everyone. i’m already feeling like a five year old on Christmas eve

 

[longcruise]

I'm in the 15-20 grain camp too. I think 50 grains might end up with a search party looking for the cannon!

 

[bisleyjohn]

, It will still recoil but you won't be doing this in the house.

You sound just like my wife!

what if I wait until she’s out?

 

[Belleville]

Thank you. As I say it will be a while, my local Firearms office is quoting eighty days, it’s the virus!

Move to where that is not a requirement.

 

[Boatncamp]

I would suggest some sort of tether or staking it down. Looks like fun!

 

[longcruise]

I would suggest some sort of tether or staking it down. Looks like fun!

Rubber bands?? Oh, wait, that would make it dangerous in both directions.

 

[Dibbuk]

I agree with the 15-20 grains to start with. Due to small size, I expect it to flip right over, unless you stake it down, or put a sandbag over it. I would recommend a half-filled sand bag that you can drape over it, once you have it loaded, and the fuze in place.

 

[59sharps]

You sound just like my wife!

what if I wait until she’s out?

You can try anything once.

 

[JeffG]

Black powder burns don't come out of formica countertops or linoleum. I heard this somewhere.

 

[bisleyjohn]

The range I will be shooting on has a maximum m/v of 1496 Ft/Lb.

How much powder is that?

 

[Zonie]

The range I will be shooting on has a maximum m/v of 1496 Ft/Lb.

How much powder is that?

More than you'll ever get out of that cannon.