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Cannons and Bores/Ball sizes

Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2019 12:34 pm
by Ovenpaa
I have been asked to make a small cannon, ideally with a bore between 0.750" and 1.000" so a reasonable size. I have not built a cannon before however I do shoot one quite often so I have an idea of how things work.

First thing for me is bore and I have been asked to work around existing ball and mould sizes so can anyone tell me what is available and/or who does them?

Re: Cannons and Bores/Ball sizes

Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2019 12:51 pm
by Daryll
12 bore...?? 0.729''

Edit, sorry, just realised thats smaller than your specs...

Re: Cannons and Bores/Ball sizes

Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2019 12:57 pm
by Ovenpaa
Daryll, 12 bore was my immediate thought as well as it could shoot slug as well however it needs to be a tad bigger if possible.

Re: Cannons and Bores/Ball sizes

Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2019 1:10 pm
by strangesam
10 Bore is in your size range,

However a quick google found https://www.ballmoulds.com/product/ball-mould-large/ and it looks like they'll custom make a ball mold in any size you could want.

Re: Cannons and Bores/Ball sizes

Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2019 2:53 pm
by dromia
"Jeff Tanner" will cut you excellent moulds to your exact specification and does large moulds especially for cannon.

Just be aware there is no sprue plate so the extra needs to be nipped off after casting.

My cannon is .70" bore diameter firing a .690" tow wadded ball.

Careful thought, in relation to future loads and powder type, needs to be given to how far from the breech end the touch hole is bored so as to allow space for the charge but not so far from the breech end so that the ball blocks it if loaded a reduced load. That said any worthwhile and consistent accuracy will invariably come from a ball that is hard driven.

Re: Cannons and Bores/Ball sizes

Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2019 2:55 pm
by dromia
Moved to correct forum future mis-posts will be removed!

Re: Cannons and Bores/Ball sizes

Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2019 3:46 pm
by shugie
I'm strangely interested in the idea of a cannon, do they go on a shotgun licence, and where can you shoot it?

Re: Cannons and Bores/Ball sizes

Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2019 3:53 pm
by Andy632
Miniature Cannon goes on fac normally.

Re: Cannons and Bores/Ball sizes

Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2019 3:59 pm
by bradaz11
It's a black powder muzzle loader. If the barrel was long enough it could go on a SGC, but wouldn't be a very fun cannon

Re: Cannons and Bores/Ball sizes

Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2019 4:53 pm
by davidh195
bradaz11 wrote:It's a black powder muzzle loader. If the barrel was long enough it could go on a SGC, but wouldn't be a very fun cannon
Hmm I think a cannon of almost 2 inches in bore would still be quite a bit of fun even at 24 and a bit inches.*

* From breech face/touch hole.

David