BP cannon

[gunnerh]

I am looking for a new project for the spring. Has anyone any ideas about smaller(150 to 300 pound) muzzel loading cannon. Dixie Gun Works has a few barrels and kits but I have little knowledge of them or what else is out there.
Looking for something to set next to my flagpole and shoot off on approperate days i.e. 4 of July, USMC Birthday, Veteran's Day, My birthday .

 

[ArmedBear]

This stuff looks fun.

http://www.wildimports.com/

My balcony needs a swivel gun.

 

[rusty from italy]

Look at this link
www.buckstix.com/HowitzerCarriage.htm
I'm planning to built one this winter, only problem for me is to find appropriate wheels!
ciao
Rusty

 

[Cap n Ball]

Firing a cannon IS fun! I've been doing it at reenactments and as demonstrations at living history events for about ten years. The paramount thing is safety. Practice and drilling with a crew is the only way to go. Understand that one doesn't just get a little hurt with a cannon accident. You can get killed or at the very least badly burned. Attached is a jpeg of us firing our six pounder. Its an authentic 1834 Ft. Pitt gun. When she barks its very impressive! Remember that alcohol and cannons or any other guns don't mix. We have disinvited fellows who just didn't take the job seriously. Remember that BP is concussive. There was an incident at a reennactment at Pea Ridge a few years back when a newbie rammed the charge down the tube a bit too hard and it went off. His right hand and glove were later found about a hundred yards away. The rammer was never found. Most folks don't realise that a six or ten pounder can throw a shot almost a mile or more. Never actually live fire with a projectile just to see the results. There are sanctioned live fire contests held at appropriate locations. We made that mistake early on when we first got our cannon and we wanted to see what it was like to actually fire the gun with something down the tube. Two orange juice cans filled with concrete seemed just right but they were way too light and the concrete turned into pellets sort of like a giant shot gun. We expected to see it splash into the lake near where we keep the gun. Our elevation was wrong and the charge too heavy. We ended up taking a portion off the end of a barn way beyond the lake and killed an old cow from shock or fright. A $2000.00 mistake but we did put a nice stencil of a Holstein on our limber to designate our 'kill'. When people ask about it we tell them we are sponsored by the American Dairy Association.

 

[gunnerh]

Cap N Ball --LOL-- I am glad to see people with cannons have a sense of humor and safety.

 

[DixieTexian]

So, would it be legal to get one of the scaled down versions, say around .60 caliber or so, and use it for deer hunting during muzzleloader season?

 

[CRKToter]

Not sure of the legality in your district, but I hear it's pretty effective. The full story can be found: http://www.buckstix.com/howitzer.htm

 

[Tru Griff]

"There was an incident at a reennactment at Pea Ridge a few years back when a newbie rammed the charge down the tube a bit too hard and it went off. His right hand and glove were later found about a hundred yards away. The rammer was never found."

I think they had this on tv or something very similer a few yrs back. Actual footage because I can still remember seeing the newbie flying through the air and down the small hill where the cannon was placed and the rammer went flying as if it were a harpoon into the woods. Watching that footage will most assurded get your attention and make you think twice as you should be with any weapon.