Author Topic: Softball Howitzer  (Read 1203 times)

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Offline jefferyc22

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Softball Howitzer
« on: September 09, 2010, 11:33:44 AM »
New to the forum....... Could not find any info on anyone making a softball cannon/howitzer. I am thinking 36-48" DOM steel barrel with 4" long round stock powder chamber(150-200 grains?. Anyone have experience with a softball cannon?(no interest in mortar type thank you  ;D)

Offline GGaskill

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Re: Softball Howitzer
« Reply #1 on: September 09, 2010, 11:42:43 AM »
What is the diameter of a softball?
GG
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Offline jefferyc22

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Re: Softball Howitzer
« Reply #2 on: September 09, 2010, 11:45:44 AM »
What is the diameter of a softball?
roughly 3.800"

Offline GGaskill

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Re: Softball Howitzer
« Reply #3 on: September 09, 2010, 12:05:38 PM »
What kinds of machinery do you have at your disposal?
GG
“If you're not a liberal at 20, you have no heart; if you're not a conservative at 40, you have no brain.”
--Winston Churchill

Offline jefferyc22

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Re: Softball Howitzer
« Reply #4 on: September 09, 2010, 12:08:28 PM »
What kinds of machinery do you have at your disposal?
Mill,Lathe,TIG,MIG.....also an armorer.

Offline GGaskill

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Re: Softball Howitzer
« Reply #5 on: September 09, 2010, 12:14:30 PM »
I think a 4" diameter is much too small just from mechanical reasons, let alone cannon reasons.  Even with a chambered piece like a howitzer, the minimum barrel wall should be at least 1/4" and I would prefer more. 

Do you want something that looks like a specific gun or just something to launch softballs?
GG
“If you're not a liberal at 20, you have no heart; if you're not a conservative at 40, you have no brain.”
--Winston Churchill

Offline Double D

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Re: Softball Howitzer
« Reply #6 on: September 09, 2010, 02:08:00 PM »
6 PDR bore  is 3.67 inches.  With research you should be able find source for cast zinc 6 PDR ball, I have a mould out in the shop.  If you are going that big, why not build a real shooter.

The standard for a howitzer chamber is 25% reduction on bore size.  3.62 minus 25% is  2.753 inch for powder chamber diameter.  To make the minumum recommend wall thickness you would need a 8.258 diameter barrel.  The standard 6 PDR field gun had a barrel 60 inches long.

Remember to meet the standards set down in the law to be exempt as an antique you need to replicate a pre 1899 cannon.  Being a muzzleloader by its self is not sufficient to meet the law.  Final interpretation of that of course comes from ATF.

Suggest you get your self a set of plans for a specific gun and start looking for piece steel.  The two toughest part of build a coon is finding the steel and finding the projectile.

When you are out looking for steel and you find something that looks useful, divide the diameter bot three and that would be the maximum safe diameter bore or powder chamber.
 
Ask lots of questions,we are more than willing to share or information.

Offline jefferyc22

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Re: Softball Howitzer
« Reply #7 on: September 09, 2010, 02:33:17 PM »
 

Do you want something that looks like a specific gun or just something to launch softballs?
I'm wanting a "low pressure" type "cannon" to lob softballs 500 hundred feet at howitzer type ballistics.

Offline GGaskill

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Re: Softball Howitzer
« Reply #8 on: September 09, 2010, 02:37:17 PM »
Maybe you would be better off with a compressed air gun.  A black powder gun will burn one side of the ball.
GG
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Offline Artilleryman

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Re: Softball Howitzer
« Reply #9 on: September 09, 2010, 04:13:35 PM »
I wonder if or how much the soft ball would deform on firing, creating a tighter fit in the bore.  With a strong gun and low charges I don't think it would be a problem.  The problem may arise when someone puts in extra powder just to see how far they can make the soft ball go.  Just wondering.
Norm Gibson, 1st SC Vol., ACWSA

Offline Articifer Tom

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Re: Softball Howitzer
« Reply #10 on: September 09, 2010, 04:29:58 PM »
 May want to look at some line throwing type cannons (Lyle's ) . These had simple barrels and lopped there projectials.

Offline dominick

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Re: Softball Howitzer
« Reply #11 on: September 09, 2010, 04:37:17 PM »
 

Do you want something that looks like a specific gun or just something to launch softballs?
I'm wanting a "low pressure" type "cannon" to lob softballs 500 hundred feet at howitzer type ballistics.

jefferyc22,  There's no such thing as a low pressure type cannon in black powder.  Even with the Howitzer and its reduced chamber, nothing prevents someone else who may aquire the cannon in the future from overloading it.  Also, the Howitzer design has greater potential for overloading due to it's thinner wall main bore.  I think the air cannon is a good idea.  Or maybe an aerosol powered spud gun set-up or carbide cannon?

Offline Double D

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Re: Softball Howitzer
« Reply #12 on: September 09, 2010, 05:09:26 PM »
Spud guns and other air cannons have long time ago been designate as the scope Tactical, Self Defense Guns and Exotic Weapons forum on GBO and not here on Black powder Cannons and Mortars.  Jeffery if that is where your interest is let me know and I'll move the the post over there. 

If blackpowder cannon is what you are looking for you are in the right place.