Homemade BP in my latest cannon creation

[CANNONMAN]

http://youtu.be/BsfrD1kj8CA Hope I did that right. If not, it's at youtube - cannonman's #3 video 001 . Thanks everyone who gave advice and encouragement. I did it! I built the cannons, I built several cannon carriages, I built the ball molds, I made the ball mill. I even made the balls for the ball mill. I made my charcoal [Willow, for all those who recall the thread.] I made my own BP. [I bought a .50 FL, just seemed like the right thing to do considering where these posts are located.] Shoot, I guess I might now qualify for a chief cook and bottle washing badge carrying member of the Infamous Black Powder Club. [It's just too damn bad that I would never join a club that would have me as a member!] - quote stolen - Thanks everyone! CANNONMAN

 

[Erich]

I enjoyed all three of your videos.

Man, that scenery looks familiar, Cannonman. Good to see you here, vecino.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Well done. Now I should get out of bed and do something today.

I keeed. I just hauled some bricks back for my walkway and stopped by the local gonne store and bought a used Ruger Old Army flap holster by Bianchi for $25 plus tax.

 

[whughett]

We need a sub category to "Black Powder". Black Powder Hobbyist, or Black Powder Aficionada of the year or some such. I nominate "Cannonman".

 

[4v50 Gary]

No, it took long enough to get a black powder marketplace forum. I asked years ago and was told no.

 

[elhombreconnonombre]

Howdy Cannonman from deep in the heart of of Texas

At a local gun show a few months back I came across a feller who made and sold golf ball cannons made frm high pressure oil drill stems. It looked like a 1/2 scale versión of a Napolean. He was selling them for $695. I wished I had gotten his contact info and a pic. I have been checking the shows ever since, but no luck. I guess I will have to do with making something like this from The Rifle Shoppe.

 

[robhof]

robhof

Elhombre, that's an interesting variation of a blunderbuss.

 

[CANNONMAN]

Why? elhombreconnombre why?

Just when I thought I had satiated my BP appetite you go and show me that... uh... what is that? I don't know but I want to make one. I think I want to make a pistol version. A bp fl golf ball pistol. Does anyone know if this would be allowed on a driving range? ... it should be! And, erich, that video otta look like familiar background as I am in the Four Corners. Off to "Boomsday"! It's the largest fireworks display in the USA for Labor Day. Knoxville, TN. Perhaps I can get a few pointers to share when Get back. Happy Labor Day everyone!

 

[Erich]

I lived in Farmington when I was a prosecutor. Have a great one yourself.

 

[elhombreconnonombre]

Per the writeup on the Rifle Shoppes site, the guy that builds barrels for them reports it can shoot a tennis ball 300 yards. Think of a 17th century thumper
If you want a handheld version check out those bp noisemakers they use in the Alps to chase away demons on New Years eve....I forget the name.

 

[zimmerstutzen]

Those huge bore German salute guns are called bollers, handboller for the pistol, schaftboller for the short barrel rifles, thunder mugs are standbollers. They also have a similar shoulder gun called a prangerstutzen. Also a long heavy barrel shotgun looking thing iirc called a salutegewehr. They sure know how to make a party out of making some noise.

Cannon man what load do you use, and wad or cork over the powder?

There is a current thread on German gun board forum about a 95 mm stand boller. IIRC, THAT Would be about 3.35 inches.
In Germany it is common to use a musket cap and pull cord operated cannon lock for ignition on thunder mugs.

 

[Officers'Wife]

Nicely done! I have a few observations but they are minor and leftover from my uncle's far overblown sense of caution.

I am curious though, did you corn (grain) this powder or leave it in the meal powder form?

 

[CANNONMAN]

Back from Vacation!

Yep, corned the stuff. Then for effect I sped it up by remilling it. I would not have done this if I was shooting anything of meaningful mass. This video was of a patched 1" wood cork. We shot the same amount of 4F with the same cork. Nothing empirical but we all thought it sounded and "felt" the same. I have not found to copy the BP structure of cannon powder. Any ideas?

 

[desidog]

elhombreconnonombre, I've got one of those...bought second hand though, i don't think i'd swing the price of the Rifle Shoppe's offering.



We were consistently hitting the tree line, about 150 yards away, with a light load and some wine corks as fillers behind the ball...


and a BP golfball swivel cannon too...

(it was made by Dom Carpenter in PA.)

 

[Officers'Wife]

Yep, corned the stuff. Then for effect I sped it up by remilling it. I would not have done this if I was shooting anything of meaningful mass. This video was of a patched 1" wood cork. We shot the same amount of 4F with the same cork. Nothing empirical but we all thought it sounded and "felt" the same. I have not found to copy the BP structure of cannon powder. Any ideas?

My uncle would add a sixteen part of dextrine and wet the stuff just enough that it would cling together then kind of drop it. After that he had a series of brass screens, the fines, next fine, half coarse, course and "chunk."

Coarse was about the size of cracked corn and used for cannon, "chunk" was dropped again. He later built a machine that sifted the various grades but since I didn't help with the building or see it in operation I can't say how it worked or describe it.

 

[CANNONMAN]

What did the gun shop ask for one of those? Are you allow to serve with one of these in Wimbledon? I too use dextrin at 5%. What I don't know is why some use alcohol and water in post mill processes. Ideas?

 

[straight-shooter]

I believe (and tell me if i'm wrong, it's happened before) that the alcohol is used with the water for it to help evaporate and dry faster after screening.

 

[CANNONMAN]

I had thought that. However, one receipt is to add alcohol and water post milling for up to three days. Dry, re-wet with same mixture and corn. My guess is that it's ... Well, I'm not going to guess much less try something that keeps me from bugging all of you.