I was having a discussion with someone yesterday as to what the most powerful black-powder weapon could possibly be. Its a hard thing to judge, with so many varying loads and calibers... but does anyone know? My bet was on the Kodiak Express, but I could certainly be mistaken. In my opinion, a Bess loaded with 120 grains and a PRB has done significant damage to targets of metal and wood. I'd like to hear peoples opinions, and I do realise this is a very broad question, so I apologize.
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MOST powerful BP weapon?
- Thread starter dkloos
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You need to define it a bit more. If you are talking about shoulder fired weapons, then you probably need to look at the pieces used to take african big game, your talking the likes of a 4 bore or bigger which puts the .75 calibers to shame.
If you're talking hunting guns of any kind, then the punt guns have probably got them beat but they had to be mounted on boats and weren't shoulder fired.
If you're talking anything goes, then you need to ask in the cannon section.
If you're talking hunting guns of any kind, then the punt guns have probably got them beat but they had to be mounted on boats and weren't shoulder fired.
If you're talking anything goes, then you need to ask in the cannon section.
Mike Brooks
Cannon
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a 36 ponder cannon has pretty good knock down power.
Russianblood
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Hangfeyer said:
Aw shucks, I was going to say the 16" guns on a battleship. They uses black powder.
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Uhh...the 16 inch guns on battleships of the Missouri and Iowa class did not shoot black powder. I hve no idea what designation it is but buying that surplus powder and repackaging it for sale to the public is how Bruce Hogdonon got his start in the powder business. Us reloaders know it as H-4831.
Vic
Vic
guncobbler
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"Aw shucks, I was going to say the 16" guns on a battleship. They uses black powder. "
Only to ignite the bags of nitrocellulose propellant. The silk bags have about 100 lbs of extruded nitro powder in them. The black powder on the rear of the bag was to ensure ignition. GC
Only to ignite the bags of nitrocellulose propellant. The silk bags have about 100 lbs of extruded nitro powder in them. The black powder on the rear of the bag was to ensure ignition. GC
Doc Arroyo
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No that was a double 470 Nitro (so I am told by a friend in a place to know)
The 4 bore is much larger. The ones I made are single barreled rifles, and weigh over 17 pound.
The bore is 1.052" in Diameter (almost 1 1/16")
I have a double barreled 8 bore in the works now, but it's a "spec gun" and I only work on it as I get time (which is not very often) It will weigh in at about 11 pound when it's finishes.
The 4 bore is much larger. The ones I made are single barreled rifles, and weigh over 17 pound.
The bore is 1.052" in Diameter (almost 1 1/16")
I have a double barreled 8 bore in the works now, but it's a "spec gun" and I only work on it as I get time (which is not very often) It will weigh in at about 11 pound when it's finishes.
bigbore442001
50 Cal.
I want to say that Sir Samuel Baker, a British Sportsman, who hunted Africa and India during the mid 1800's had one rifle that was a 2 bore. I believe he called it, "Baby". I remember reading how he shot a water buffalo in Ceylon and the shot broke through both hips.
Some say shooting" Baby" caused a permanent nervous condition for him.
Some say shooting" Baby" caused a permanent nervous condition for him.
Blizzard of '93
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You are corect in part, the silk bags were full of nitro-celluose, there was a black powder 'primer' that is ignited by a fulminate charge to fire the nitro propellant. No barrel could stand the pressure of BP or fast-burning dual-base powder. (4831) - .50 cal powder in that size and weight of projectile.
