[MagKnightX]

From what I read of the law, and from what others here have said, a cannon (provided it is blackpowder, not a modern shell-gun) is legal to posess without a permit or transfer tax (it's just explosive shot that's bad, and I think even then only if it isn't blackpowder, but I could be wrong). So, the question is, where do I buy one that is usable? I have a hankerin' for a nine-pounder, although mainly just for ceremonial purposes (but some downrange projectile launchin', so a carbide cannon is probably out), and of course only used legally.

Probably one of the main problems is ammunition. I imagine 3.474817" diameter lead balls aren't too common anymore (does it say something about me that I took the time to work that out from using the bore system and the density of lead? Of course, if it's based on iron, the whole thing is screwed up...).

[Harve Curry]

I think where ever muzzleloaders are legal, so are muzzleloader cannons.

Breech loaders over 50cal become CLASS 3, because that becomes a destructive device regulated by the 1934 NFA, and I guess also the 1986 so called machine gun ban, because of the restriction on new manufacture, so lots of serial numbers were registered before the deadline.

[armoredman]

they've had cannon competetions on American Shooter, and I've seen small ones for sale at Cabelas. I have seen, (but don't recall what company), selling Civil War replica cannon and mortars, working, scale or half scale. They weren't cheap at all.....

[Cap n Ball]

An authentic cannon will cost according to it's rarity and condition. None are cheap. The 1842 six pounder we have cost about $27.000.00 including limber and carriage. It also nearly caused a divorce.

[MagKnightX]

Replica, I mean, not an actual antique.

[Iggy]

Check your PM's...

[0007]

Check out www.wildimports.com. They will sell you a new steel-lined bronze-barreled 12pounder(~3" bore) for about $5,000. And he has all the accessories to go with it, including the mold for the cannon-balls. I have a couple of their smaller products and they are slick. Beer-can mortar and a 1 1/2" HMS Victory salute cannon. Gotta find a low cost source for BP. :D :D

[Iggy]

I've got one that shoots 35mm film cans filled with cement or 1/2 pound semi wadcutters, I'd part with.
1/3 scale 12 pounder main battery on Old Ironsides
75 pound barrel..

Wadcutters will go through a car quite nicely..:)

[ROAshooter]

I too....in the past have felt the desire for a cannon.....and with some searching on the "net".....found a company that makes cannons in several calibers. The ones that really got my attention, were "golf ball" caliber.
Which I think would be just great......a lot of scuffed up g-balls to be had for ammo. But reading this post.....I am at a loss for the address for the makers...sorry.....just thought I would let you know...they are out there.somewhere..and the prices were not unreasonable......if I can find the address I will post..good luck

try www.cannon-mania.com

[carpettbaggerr]

Dixie Gun Works sells them. The cheapest (http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_106&products_id=1695) is 1/2 scale with a 1.5 inch bore, and no furniture for $495. They get expensive quick. :D

[Frohickey]

Do they sell cannons where the bore size is that of a soda can? ;) :D :p

[Iggy]

I have a mortar that shoots V-8 juice cans.
It will fling them a couple hundred yards..

Had a friend that built one that fired bowling balls.. He couldn't afford the ammunition!!

[Frohickey]

Cannons and mortars are smooth-bores right?

Anyone make a gun (rifled) that fires soda-can caliber projectiles?
Imagine the BC you can get out of that!!!

[Cap n Ball]

You would have to have some sort of drive band or studs on the projectile that would expand to fit the grooves in order to impart a spin to the projectile. Might be expensive to make.

[4v50 Gary]

Iggy - what are your beer cans filled with? Secondly, what powder and what charge for what distance? I have a brass beer can mortar but haven't played with it enough to develop a firing table. I'm ready for 30 seconds of (Civil War era) trench warfare.;)

[Iggy]

Mine is a South Bend Replicas Cohorn..

It shoots V-8 juice cans filled with cement.. Not Beer cans.

I stick a piece of wire in the wet cement and I can tie a strip of plastic ribbon to each round so folks can see them go and I can find them for reuse.
It also stabilizes the projectile and keeps it from tumbling.. Just like the tail on a kite.

It has a firing chamber at the base, thus heavy charges are not required.

I use Cannon powder.. 80to 100 grains will fling a can 150 yards easily.


It has an elevation screw so you lob them in the trenches with little problem.:cool:

[carpettbaggerr]

It shoots V-8 juice cans filled with cement.. Not Beer cans. But that means you have to drink V-8, doesn't it? :uhoh: Blechhh. Would golfballs work instead? Actually, even if they do, I'd rather find one in beer-can caliber. :D

[Iggy]

Would you believe the cost of cement is prohibitive??


Nah, I wouldn't buy that either!!!;)

[4v50 Gary]

Speaking of V-8 cans, as young deputies our rangemaster had this grenade launcher attachment for shotguns and he would load blank black powder shells for it. He instructed each of us to buy two V-8 cans and nothing other than V-8. He explained that other cans were not dimensionally correct for the launcher. So, the next day we all showed up with two empty V-8 cans which we filled with water. We were launching them at about 100 yards distance at a bush. Thank you Uncle Al and Uncle George. :D

[Harry Tuttle]

check out the 3 inch parrot rifle:
http://www.hatchergun.com/blkpwdrcannon.htm

[Harve Curry]

Looks like a 5 shots into a 12" group, at 400 yards with that 3" Parrot Gun.
Could use it for muzzleloader season .:rolleyes: :D

[4v50 Gary]

BTW, South Bend Replicas makes miniatures to full scale cannons. They may be reached at:

South Bend Replicas
61650 Oak Road
South Bend, IN 46614

Or by clicking on the link below:

South Bend Replicas (http://www.southbendreplicas.com)

Saw their ad in Muzzle Blasts magazine.