Author Topic: Newbie looking for a quality golf ball cannon (Read 2229 times)

Ssdyle · « **on:** January 12, 2013, 02:22:10 PM »

Hello everyone, I am new to the forum and have an indescribable itch to own and shoot a golf ball cannon. I have trolled the net looking but there seems to be a big spread in prices and quality of the cannons. So any help and advice on finding one and the safe and proper operation from you experienced old cannoneer s will be greatly appreciated .
I am greatly enjoying reading all the old posts.
Thanks for your time.
Sonny

Double D · « **Reply #1 on:** January 12, 2013, 02:34:20 PM »

One of our sponsors HMR Cannons specializes in Golf ball cannons. He build a top quality strong and safe product at a very reasonable price. His cannons also look like cannons which is even better.

HMR Cannons GBO User Name: Armorer 77
Specializing in Golf Ball bored mortars & cannons , for now...

onegreatshot · « **Reply #2 on:** January 12, 2013, 02:46:03 PM »

ED does make a nice cannon, he has posted some nice photo's of some of his work. suggest you try to locate his photo postings.

NinjaToes · « **Reply #3 on:** January 12, 2013, 04:04:55 PM »

I have one of Ed's 1841 6 pdr barrels. Quality piece. Here it's being shot a New Years.

armorer77 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 12, 2013, 10:58:50 PM »

Here is one that I shipped recently , this one is 1.25" bore , but the outside is the same .

This 1841 as shown is $550 . Armorer77

GLS · « **Reply #5 on:** January 13, 2013, 12:55:50 AM »

I have two HMR cannons, a 1841 one inch bore, a golf ball parrott and a can mortar. They are all excellent. I have two more items ordered somewhere on his to do list. Highly recommend HMR.

JeffG · « **Reply #6 on:** January 13, 2013, 07:00:51 AM »

++1 on HMR !!

RocklockI · « **Reply #7 on:** January 13, 2013, 07:23:25 AM »

I would suggest that no matter whos gun you buy be sure and ask if it will also shoot steel Fox balls . They are mill balls and really pack a punch I think theres a sticky on them. Golf balls are fun ...for awhile

They are not usually very accurate as they spin and hook OR slice, up and down . With a Fox ball you can hit a Milk jug at 125 yds

.

I would also inquire about sights as well or you wont hit much
(this ought to get DD going

!) at any real yardage
JMOH

Gary

Ssdyle · « **Reply #8 on:** January 13, 2013, 09:10:24 AM »

What are Fox steel balls?

RocklockI · « **Reply #9 on:** January 13, 2013, 09:16:53 AM »

I found this source a couple of years ago ,they are mill balls for smashing ore or about anything else . They have agreed to sell them to us for use as cannon balls .

Fox is the name of the manufacterer .I am sure if you look at the posted stickies at the top of the page you will get their contact info . If not IM me and I can can you the address .

I would start with GB's to be sure as they are safer if something bad happens .

NinjaToes · « **Reply #10 on:** January 13, 2013, 10:32:08 AM »

I got my zinc balls from Rotometals. Very quick service.

GLS · « **Reply #11 on:** January 13, 2013, 12:02:44 PM »

I recently bought some Fox balls. Fox states he still has a bunch. I paid a dollar a peice.

Ssdyle · « **Reply #12 on:** January 13, 2013, 02:57:49 PM »

What's the difference between zink and steel as far as cost and effectiveness?
I'm looking at a golf ball cannon from Black powder cannons and mortars . I found his link on this board.
The one I'm looking at looks stout enough to launch golf balls but I wonder about steel or zink.
Thanks for all your info.
Sonny

Ssdyle · « **Reply #13 on:** January 13, 2013, 03:05:16 PM »

Also is there a way to put streamers or smoke in or on a golfball to help track their flight?
Sonny

Double D · « **Reply #14 on:** January 13, 2013, 03:49:33 PM »

Zinc balls will be more expensive. Steel will be harder. Zinc are softer. Steel balls also bounce quite radically when they hit something hard.

I am uncomfortable shooting a steel ball in a steel barrel. My concerns are excessive wear and tear and spakring. That just me.

You will find a link to both Fox and Rotometals in the Cannon classifieds.

At close range you can shoot quite accurately without sights----you will do much better with sights.

Cannoneer · « **Reply #15 on:** January 13, 2013, 09:23:37 PM »

Douglas,
Do you think zinc is soft enough to use a ball puller on? I once got a ¾-inch ball bearing lodged in a miniature barrel, and was fortunate enough to blow it out through the vent with an air comp., but the experience kind of soured me on using steel balls (ball bearings).

Double D · « **Reply #16 on:** January 14, 2013, 03:32:30 AM »

Yes, Zinc drills an taps quite nicely.

The Jeff · « **Reply #17 on:** January 14, 2013, 06:07:32 AM »

Quote from: Cannoneer on January 13, 2013, 09:23:37 PM

I once got a ¾-inch ball bearing lodged in a miniature barrel, and was fortunate enough to blow it out through the vent with an air comp., but the experience kind of soured me on using steel balls (ball bearings).

Did the barrel have proper windage? Do you know why the bearing jammed?

Cannoneer · « **Reply #18 on:** January 14, 2013, 07:02:10 AM »

Yes it had ample windage, but I was firing patched and IIRC it was around the fifth shot. The reason it got lodged down the bore, was because it didn't have a charge behind it (that was embarassing).

JeffG · « **Reply #19 on:** January 14, 2013, 07:12:06 AM »

Quote

Also is there a way to put streamers or smoke in or on a golfball to help track their flight?

It can be fun just to fire the thing, but a big cardboard target helps you see the monstorous holes!

HMR Howitzer below...

Doc Brown. · « **Reply #20 on:** January 14, 2013, 12:20:08 PM »

Since we are on the golf ball subject. Anyone ever try and use any of the light up golf balls for night shooting? Im wondering if a small charge would break the lights in Night flyers?
http://www.nightflyer.com/107527p/green-led-night-flyer-constant-on-night-golf-balls.html

If nobody tried this I will but I would rather find out before I buy some. Thanks.

NinjaToes · « **Reply #21 on:** January 15, 2013, 12:16:31 PM »

I've been wanting to try this myself

Quote from: dockholidaiy on January 14, 2013, 12:20:08 PM

Since we are on the golf ball subject. Anyone ever try and use any of the light up golf balls for night shooting? Im wondering if a small charge would break the lights in Night flyers?
http://www.nightflyer.com/107527p/green-led-night-flyer-constant-on-night-golf-balls.html

If nobody tried this I will but I would rather find out before I buy some. Thanks.

hangfire2 · « **Reply #22 on:** January 22, 2013, 07:30:10 AM »

I really like the looks regarding the quality of the HMR 1841 as well as the Beer Can Howitzer, but wish the barrels were a bit longer.... especially with the BCH. It is just me, or does that thing look a tad silly on that carriage?

Armorer, what's the barrel length on the BCH and could you build one maybe two feet or so in length?

hangfire2 · « **Reply #23 on:** January 22, 2013, 08:01:46 AM »

See, I have this large piece of mountain property in West Virginia, and well... a mountain howitzer type of cannon with lead .36 or .50 caliber muzzle loading balls as 'grape shot' has a certain appeal to it......

Zulu · « **Reply #24 on:** January 22, 2013, 08:29:09 AM »

Quote from: hangfire2 on January 22, 2013, 07:30:10 AM

I really like the looks regarding the quality of the HMR 1841 as well as the Beer Can Howitzer, but wish the barrels were a bit longer.... especially with the BCH. It is just me, or does that thing look a tad silly on that carriage?

Armorer, what's the barrel length on the BCH and could you build one maybe two feet or so in length?

hangfire,
That carriage is proper for a howitzer. Here is a picture of a howitzer at West Point. This is a huge gun and carriage. The ratio is about the same.
Zulu

armorer77 · « **Reply #25 on:** January 22, 2013, 01:28:12 PM »

Hangfire2 , I built the Beer can howitzer to see how large I could go on my existing machines . Until I get a larger mill , this is as good as it gets

And I have redesigned my steel carriages to more of a seacoast style .

Remember , howitzers are short barreled weapons . Armorer77

Cryingsilver · « **Reply #26 on:** January 24, 2013, 05:26:58 PM »

Wondering if anyone has any thoughts on Marcia cannon from cannon thunder?

Double D · « **Reply #27 on:** January 24, 2013, 07:11:48 PM »

Quote from: Cryingsilver on January 24, 2013, 05:26:58 PM

Wondering if anyone has any thoughts on Marcia cannon from cannon thunder?

The gun looks interesting. The bore is far too tight. The trunnions are too small and installed in an odd manner. Odd shaped cascabal and to high a polish finish to take a good paint job.

When some one calls a powder chamber a powder pocket make me wonder what else he doesn't know.

I believe you will get a far better deal from HMR Cannons.

Victor3 · « **Reply #28 on:** January 24, 2013, 11:15:38 PM »

Quote from: armorer77 on January 22, 2013, 01:28:12 PM

Wow. That cannon must be heavy duty. Look what it did to that steel bench.