Ball size

[rusty barrels]

Still along ways from firing my first shot but I'm trying to get things together. I was wondering if a 34 oz. ball which is 2.10 inches in dia. would be o.k. in a 2.250 barrel, if I did my math right( which is not that good ) it should be 2.156. I wish the books I ordered would show up so I can get an idea of how much powder it would require and to answer some other questions. I'm also still waiting for some naval truck diagrams to show up so I can get it built not to mention finding the Non dimensional elm for it.

[Double D]

2.25/40 = 0.05625.    0.05625times 39 = 2.19375.  2.2 ball should work just fine

I have this if it it will help you:


Click here for full size

http://www.fototime.com/80DB0DAB62AE7F9/orig.jpg


You will have to scale to fit

[rusty barrels]

Thanks for the info DD, was it you that knew of a mold maker who could build a projectile mold for my gun, I do want to support the people who support this board.

[Double D]

Yeah, It is me that's always promoting the sponsors for making stuff for the folks here.  Let me find one.

Hey listen up---Sponsors, Rusty barrels needs a mould made!!! Sombody jump in here and help him out!!!!

Suppose they heard me!  :-D

[GGaskill]

Could you post the other page of the Green plans for the 42 pounder please?

[Squire Robin]

Windage on a ball really depended on how round they could guarantee it to be. As both cannon and ball were made of iron there was a real danger of blockage if the ball went down on a minor axis then turned to a major axis on the way back out. There is also the question of what happens if a mis-cast ball splits before it clears the end

best regards

Squire Robin

[Rickk]

who is the ball mold manufacturer?

[accuratemike]

Could it be this one you are thinking of ? MIKE

Hello everyone, new guy here. Can I shoot sand filled tennis balls from a beercan mortar?

Yep, if the will fit.  But it's my experience that sand filled tennis balls will come apart.

Why don't you get one of or sponsors to build a mould and and cast up some beer can diameter zinc balls?  I  had Powder Keg open up my beercan mortar to 6PDR and he built me this mould for making zinc  6PDR balls.

[rusty barrels]

Yup, thats the one. How much will it cost for one in 2.2 inches

[Double D]

Hey, PowderKeg they are looking for you?

Wes might still be a bit under the weather from the flu he had last week. He made that mould.  That is for a 6PDR zinc ball by the way.

[Double D]

George,

Help youself http://www.fototime.com/inv/F1919212A1D2D1B

[Rickk]

Wes just made one for me for my 2.25 inch mortar... it is in the mail someplace between him and me... so I know he has all the numbers worked out for that size mold.

I had him make a ball gauge at the same time.

Wait a week and I'll tell you exactly what size balls it makes.

[GGaskill]

Help youself http://www.fototime.com/inv/F1919212A1D2D1B

Thanks a lot.  That must have taken a while to load all that.

[Double D]

One at a time George from dialup.

Something to keep in mind when you start using projectiles over 2  inch.  If you use lead balls you need to substantially reduce charges to keep pressures down and reduce recoil. THE MORE COMPLETE CANNONEER  By M.C. Switlik with selected excerpts from other artillery manuals ddiscusses this issue.

The recommendation is to shoot zinc above 2  inches to  help keep pressure down

The book can be order from these two suppliers.
The Complete Cannoneer from Matt Switlik[/i][/url]
South Bend Replica The Complete Cannoneer


If you shoot cannons you should have this book!

[rusty barrels]

Your right DD, I've ordered the book from South Bend a week ago, still waiting for it.