projectiles

[.62RB]

I recently picked up a swivel gun golf ball bore sized. This will be my first adventure with cannons. My question is can projectiles be used that are made out of a quick concrete like liquid stone? I've heard that using golf balls can cause problems as they come apart and tend to bounce all over. Thanks for you help.

 

[KABAR2]

I used to cast balls for my mortar out of plaster with no ill effects,(of course they had a cherry bomb in the middle...) :grin:
as long as what you cast are solid and have a smooth surface I see no reason these wouldn't work, you are just going old school.... the first cannon fired stone balls.....

 

[.62RB]

Yea that's what I was thinking as well. The first shot were shaped stones. Now as soon as I get my swivel yoke I'll be in business

Thanks

 

[flintlock75]

I generaly use a cast lead ball for my 2" field gun.I have also used concrete and plaster, both held up to firing and exploded in a cloud of dust on impact with a log wall, it was a very cool effect. Be sure of your backstop, golf balls will bounce violently in random directions including back at you. a frangable projectile is much safer in most locations. Have fun.

 

[TheDoubleD]

There are places to buy golf ball sized steel balls and golf ball sized zinc balls.

 

[Paul R]

Back in the late 60s I had the good fortune of being acquainted with a group of cannon builders. One cannon and a few morters were scaled to shoot quart oil cans full of concrete. Now that quart oil cans have faded from existance, I have no idea what they are using.
At one shoot I attended, one fellow went around begging enough lead balls to make up 1 round of grape. Sure did a number on the old car they used for a target.
The scariest load I saw was a bar shot somebody had fabricated from a couple steel discs with a heavy rod connecting them & then machining straight. It shot well, but it hit a little high on the embankment they were using for a backstop and ricocheted off the top. That horrible whirring sound, as it tumbled end over end, could be heard for a long time till it passed out of hearing. I have no idea how far it went.
Paul