Here's how the Artilleryman got started. He worked his way up and has even been in the movies-Artillery Games and Master and Commander. Start small an work up.
I started out with the 12 inch, .58 cal. working model first. Bought a 1/3 scale "sea service" 12 pdr. barrel from South Bend and made a naval carriage for it as my second project. Sold it and the third project was the 1/2 scale Napoleon. Fourth project was the full scale Parrott, fifth the Napoleon, and sixth project was the Ellsworth.
I suggest before you get too involve with a big cannon, that you take a drive around the lake to Grayling MI and see the full scale guns in action. Drop Artilleryman an email or PM and ask him when the next shooting event is in the area. I sure he will help you find a place to watch them shoot.
We are not trying to talk you out of a big gun. We are trying to make sure you understand what is involved before you get started.
I can tell you this. Right now at this point in my cannon shooting career, at age 62 there is no way I want a cannon bigger than my 160 lb 6 PDR confederate pattern Coehorn. Now were I at this point in my cannon shooting career and age 42, I would be working for a bigger cannon.
Where I live now just makes a larger cannon a problem. Where I live 15 years ago, I would be shooting a big cannon in the back yard.
Consider the totality of circumstance before you make your decision. What ever your decision we'll do all we can via the board to help you. Just ask.
We will nag you for one thing...pictures. Finished pictures of smoke and fire we must have. But we also like progress pictures showing pile of woods and metal chips, Wood clamps and welding beads are all tings we like to see. Construction methods are alsways welcomed as we will take these ideas and use them ourselves. If you get stuck on a process ask a question here. We'll provide with you with ideas so you can come up with a solution. Others visiting here may have similar issues and you may be helping them by asking the question.
About questions, there is only one dumb question! That is the one you don't ask.