Author Topic: Another ? regarding .69 shooting (Read 562 times)

uz2busmc · « **on:** August 14, 2005, 04:14:25 PM »

Is it better to shoot a .68 cal ball with a lubed patch (.01 thickness) or to just shoot .69 cal unpatched. And then comes the question... what powder? I see that a lot or most of the pictures on here have a can of Goex (spelling) in them. Do all of the various powders pretty much perform the same way... not counting the BP substitutes of course? My questions are centered around the traditions .69 with 12.5" barrel.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #1 on:** August 14, 2005, 04:25:43 PM »

This undoubtedly would be more appropriate on another forum, but IF it were a CANNON, we generally keep away from patches - to help keep pressures to reasonabley sane levels. Cannon and rifles are DIFFERENT - therefore, consider the answers to be relevent to one or the other.

Perhaps there are others with experience with such 0.69's ?

uz2busmc · « **Reply #2 on:** August 14, 2005, 04:41:52 PM »

Sorry, didn't explain well enough. It is a cannon. As I've read on it, the manufacturer recommends .69 cal when firing a round ball. I've seen a couple of different things on here regarding patches. I'm pretty sure that I had seen someone write that if you use a patch, the patch plus the projectile combined should equal the overall recommended projectile size for that particular cannon. Thus, a .68 cal ball and a patch with a thickness of .01 would be acceptable to use where .69 cal is the desired safe projectile size. I think that I made sense this time... I guess I will find out :?

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #3 on:** August 14, 2005, 04:54:05 PM »

I'd follow the manufacturer's recommendations. If none, for safety, keep the pressure low by not using one. If the manufacturer allowed for the higher presure, then I would assume (classic definition) that the patch would help accuracy. Thickness will make a difference as will type of material - trying different options will tell.

Double D · « **Reply #4 on:** August 16, 2005, 05:13:38 AM »

Smaller cannons under about 1 inch are nothing more than black powder handguns with a cannon carriage instead of a pistol grip. Follow the rules for loading handguns for them.

For larger guns over one inch or so follow the rules for loading cannons including don't use patches and lead projectiles.

Something I am going to start experimenting with is sabots. I am going to make 1 inch round disks and tape my roind balls to to them so the ball will not roll away from the charge when loaded.

Gotta make some sights for the gun also....