Cannon Powder

[Farmer Dean]

My question concerns a Hern Model 1841 Six Pounder. 3.5" bore, 65' long. I figured I'd start out test firing 3-4 oz and work my way up to 6-7 oz. I know I should be using Fg, however I've seen some mention of "cannon grade or powder". I know in the specs it is coarser than Fg. It also seems to be more expensive than Fg. Whats the advantage of one over the other, and is the cannon grade worth the extra cost. Would you be able to tell the difference firing the same cannon with the same amount of each powder?

[Double D]

Blackpowder like  smokeless powder has different burn rates.  Like smokeless powder different blackowders ahve different prices.

Buy the powder that has the appropriate burn rate for your  use.  You might also want to review Matt Switlik chapter on pressure differences between Cannon and 1Fg. You do have Switlik's book don't you?  There can be a significant difference in pressure using Fg vs. Cannon.  Cannon is what you want.

For the cannon you are shooting-- 3.5 inch, 3 ozs. of Cannon grade is a prudent starting load.  As you work up loads keep good records on your results.  Dont just shoot off down range.  Shoot at a target.  Anything else is just making noise and wasting shot and powder.

At $.50 more a pound the price differential is not a substantial.  If you were buying  powder down here in South Afrcia you might sqawk.  We buy by the kilo.  at R450 a kg.  R7 equals $1.  You do the math. 

[Farmer Dean]

Thanks for the info DD. I have sent a check for Switlik's book but as yet have not received it. I will read up on it.

[Rickk]

On the other hand, for blanks (and blanks only) the 1F "Skirmish Powder" sold by Powder, Inc is a really good way to save money.... several dollars a pound.

DoubleD, I did the math  .  Now I see why miniature cannons are so popular in SA

[Farmer Dean]

Rickk, thanks for the tip on the Skirmish powder. That might work for me as I was planning on starting off with blanks. I talked with Powder Inc. and they described the product as 'smoke and noise'. It is a Chinese 1F powder. I guess my first question would be what if you tried to shoot a projectile with that powder?

[Artilleryman]

The N-SSA allows the use of Goex Fg for cannons that have the proper liners.  There is a table listing powder charges and projectile weights allowed for the different bore sizes.    For a 3.5 inch smooth bore you are allowed up to 7 oz of Goex Fg with a max 86 oz projectile.  If you use Goex Cannon grade you can use up to 8.2 oz of powder.  I don't have any reliable information about the use of Skrimish Powder with projectiles in cannons.  However, it should work fine for blanks.  The following website gives the N-SSA rules.  The Artillery rules are in Section 10.

http://www.n-ssa.org/NATIONAL/RULES/Rules8-2006.pdf

[Rickk]

Farmer Dean, 1f of any brand is too fine for shooting projectiles out of a bore your size.

For what it's worth, you probably don't need huge charges behind a projectile unless you are shooting at attacking legions from 1000 yards away. You will be able to use reduced loads with cannnon powder behind a ball to save $$.

Powder, Inc will allow you to mix grades in the same 25# box and still give you the 25# price. That being said, you can order some of each and use what is best for either blanks or ball.

[Farmer Dean]

O.K. Rick, I think I will split my order. Now, what happens when if you use Cannon Grade for blanks? Is it just a more expensive bang?

[Rickk]

You will need way more for a given amount of bang. The 1F is definitly the way to go for blanks.