Hey Guys, Instructions do come with these barrels, but the operation is very simple. Insert fuse, (1.8, 2mm) into the fuse hole, add 8 to 10 grains of ffg or fffg black powder, tamp with tamping rod, (included). Now insert a 'Black Cat' firecracker, fuse first. Tamp again, light, holler 'FIRE IN THE HOLE'! BANG! The firecracker is now in flight. It will detonate at 40 to 50 feet out, probably about 3 feet over your neighbors' cat.
If you use 12 or more grains, the firecracker will simply detonate inside the barrel...no harm, and no mess to clean out, you simply lose the "secondary".
I am going to take the liberty of bringing back the Backyard Cannon Fun thread, right behind this reply. It was started by Rays89, a good friend of mine and of GBO. He is the one that designed this and talked me thru the building of it. It is the largest viewed in the history of GBO 'Black Powder Mortar and Cannon. It is loaded with comments, videos, pics and even some true stories. (like the squirel on the power line) If I am bad, I am sure that DD will delete it.
Michael
P.S. If you don't agree that this is the most fun for the buck, I'll buy it back...less freight