I shoot my homemade BP at 5oz which currently propels a circa 3" lead ball relatively flat at 500 yds. [might be further, I just don't like the walk!] Oh, from a cannon of course. I make a bag for the charge out of this backing material that my wife uses in sewing things. [I should tell her one of these days...] It holds well and frays with ease and works rather well. However, there have been a couple of times of hang fire. I believe I have '"pricked" the bag well and suspect the material may be bunching in just the wrong spot. I think what I'd like to end up with would be the charge and ball as a single unit. Kind of a Swab-n-Go for us poor cannon folk without breach loaders. Still cold and frozen here. At least its not mud until the afternoon. They otta rename this place purgatory.
5OZ of BP goes in ...?
- Thread starter CANNONMAN
- Start date
- Status
Steve2md
Member
Are paper lunch bags just too weak for the task? or even the white paper sacks that prescriptions come in (I'm sure you have some buddies that get their meds from the VA...a super big supply of those bags)
Coffee filters perhaps? The cone shaped ones could take a charge, then be attached to the ball with a glue stick... Just thoughts
Coffee filters perhaps? The cone shaped ones could take a charge, then be attached to the ball with a glue stick... Just thoughts
Officers'Wife
Member
I shouldn't answer this as I'm falling into allegory today but...
Think of the inside of your cannon as a theater. When they are all spread out and somebody yells fire there isn't enough crowding to have anybody get burnt. But have everybody in the front seats of the middle section and nobody can get anywhere when the fire starts.
OK, if... and mind you this is simply and intellectual exercise... I were trying to crowd everybody together
First, I would find a jar or bottle the same diameter as the cannon. Pour in the exact charge and measure the height.
Then I would find one of my brother's long sleeve shirts that he welds in that has reached the end of the line and cut off the sleeves then using the (now emptied) bottle or jar find out how much smaller it (and the bore of the cannon) is than the sleeve. Taking the fabric to my handy dandy sewing machine I would use a basting stich to make the sleeve match the diameter.
Then using the previous measurement add about 10 to 25% and cut the basted sleeve to length. I would then turn it inside out and hem one end closed. Repairing it to inside in I now have a "powder bag" close to the bore of my weapon. I can either pour the charge in the bag in the field and load open side out or fill them in the armory and seal the top with a hem tightly against the powder.
Added thought: if I were to attempt this I think just for giggles and grins I would soak the fabric in a potassium nitrate brine and let it air dry with the bottle inside. This would add enough oxygen to burn the cotton fabric.
Disclaimer, this is solely an intellectual exercise, I bear responsibility none should some poor benighted OBM decide this to be an interesting idea.
Think of the inside of your cannon as a theater. When they are all spread out and somebody yells fire there isn't enough crowding to have anybody get burnt. But have everybody in the front seats of the middle section and nobody can get anywhere when the fire starts.
OK, if... and mind you this is simply and intellectual exercise... I were trying to crowd everybody together
First, I would find a jar or bottle the same diameter as the cannon. Pour in the exact charge and measure the height.
Then I would find one of my brother's long sleeve shirts that he welds in that has reached the end of the line and cut off the sleeves then using the (now emptied) bottle or jar find out how much smaller it (and the bore of the cannon) is than the sleeve. Taking the fabric to my handy dandy sewing machine I would use a basting stich to make the sleeve match the diameter.
Then using the previous measurement add about 10 to 25% and cut the basted sleeve to length. I would then turn it inside out and hem one end closed. Repairing it to inside in I now have a "powder bag" close to the bore of my weapon. I can either pour the charge in the bag in the field and load open side out or fill them in the armory and seal the top with a hem tightly against the powder.
Added thought: if I were to attempt this I think just for giggles and grins I would soak the fabric in a potassium nitrate brine and let it air dry with the bottle inside. This would add enough oxygen to burn the cotton fabric.
Disclaimer, this is solely an intellectual exercise, I bear responsibility none should some poor benighted OBM decide this to be an interesting idea.
Last edited:
vagunmonkey
Member
Have you tried using tinfoil (aluminum foil )to form a nice cylindrical bag? They prick nicely and are easy to worm out.
Last edited:
OK, Aluminum foil... I can see it bunching up when the ball is being set. Otherwise, to you big brain folks, what are your thoughts about this? I really like the nitrate on the bag idea. I got lots of KNO3. How would you go about this? Thanks, said the 12 y/o in the 56 y/o body.
Officers'Wife
Member
Make a 1 mole solution of KNO3 and soak the material in it for a few minutes then let it dry.
Steve2md
Member
OOH!! Nitrated pantyhose!! Super thin, should burn completely away. Just cut to length, tie knots to seal the ends! Make a solution of KNO3 and water or alcohol and soak the hose, then dry them out. Should do nicely. Evap off the water or alcohol in the solution container to recover most of the KNO3!!
Fisherman_48768
Member
What ever material you use for powder bags make sure to ALWAYS swab the bore after each shot with a wet mop to kill any residual embers.
PRD1
Member
If you make cloth powder bags...
be sure to make them of all natural material - no synthetics, which will melt, burn, etc. Pantyhose is out.
Most modern cannoneers use aluminum foil, which has no bad habits, but which has to be removed with the worm after firing.
PRD1 - mhb - Mike
be sure to make them of all natural material - no synthetics, which will melt, burn, etc. Pantyhose is out.
Most modern cannoneers use aluminum foil, which has no bad habits, but which has to be removed with the worm after firing.
PRD1 - mhb - Mike
All lew min E um... OK! Its a darn right fine idea. I can take a cylinder the same as my bore size and easily mold a shot bag out of it. It's inexpensive and readily available. [Unlike a good rib eye in this town!] Anyone know of a substance that could be added to the quill end that would draw a bit of powder to assure of a job-well-done? Yet would not interfere with the job-at-hand?
vagunmonkey
Member
Nothing else should be needed. Seat the charge, prick it good, set your fuse (or primer).
Officers'Wife
Member
Somehow I can't see nylon being permeable enough to absorb the niter. Plus with it's unique chemistry I doubt the inside of a gun would remain at ignition temp long enough for it to burn off.
Added thought: Usually when one talks about "nitrating" something it refers to adding a nitrate radical to a molecule. Start nitrating nylon and the Great White Father in Washington is going to want to have the kind of conversation a prudent person would wish to avoid.
- Status
