Author Topic: Zinc Golf balls first test (Read 1230 times)

Double D · « **on:** July 03, 2011, 12:41:25 PM »

I got the first sample of zinc round balls from Rotometals to test.

Didi a short range/load test yesterday using my K.I.S.S. Coehorn.

For golf ball mortar games the standard load for 30 yards using a golf ball is 25 grains of GOEX Fg in my gun.

For the test I loaded the gun with powder and fired the zinc ball and then measured the distance the ball traveled including roll out.

Metro: tailwond 7 MPH, 80 degrees F, 20% relative humidity.

I started with a fuse test, fuse only and a zinc golf ball range 12".
25 grains, range 22 feet.
35 grains, range 42 feet.
50 grains, range 133 feet.
75 grains, range 201 feet.
80 grains, range 235 feet.
85 grains, range 273 feet.
90 grains, range 322 feet
95 grains, range 277 feet.

We did a second set of tests with a golf ball, a steel golf ball and a zinc golf ball using 95 grains and we observed where the balls landed and and how much roll out they had. . The test weren't real subjective. The observations we made are relevant.

The Golf ball and Zinc balls always landed in about the same area and had considerable roll out. The Zinc ball always had more roll out than the standard Golf ball. The steel ball always hit short and had very lttel roll out.

Ball weights.
Golf ball 710 grains
Zinc ball 4313 grains
Steel ball 4938 grains

20 shots would not make the statistician but it gives some ideas where to go.

Parrott-Cannon · « **Reply #1 on:** July 03, 2011, 12:47:19 PM »

What was the barrel elevation?

dittles · « **Reply #2 on:** July 03, 2011, 01:42:51 PM »

Double D may I ask, what is a "fuse test" and how do you exactly do one?

Double D · « **Reply #3 on:** July 03, 2011, 02:21:33 PM »

Quote from: Parrott-Cannon on July 03, 2011, 12:47:19 PM

What was the barrel elevation?

45 degrees.

armorer77 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 03, 2011, 02:23:52 PM »

So , I can go to market with the mold ?

Double D · « **Reply #5 on:** July 03, 2011, 02:24:29 PM »

Quote from: dittles on July 03, 2011, 01:42:51 PM

Double D may I ask, what is a "fuse test" and how do you exactly do one?

It is a dynamic test determine if the ball is properly sealing the bore when the gun is loaded....in other words I forgot to put the powder in.

Double D · « **Reply #6 on:** July 03, 2011, 02:25:17 PM »

Quote from: armorer77 on July 03, 2011, 02:23:52 PM

So , I can go to market with the mold ?

Absoulutely!!!!!!!!

Yep guys Ed at HMR is making moulds and you should contact him for your needs!!!

dittles · « **Reply #7 on:** July 03, 2011, 07:29:37 PM »

It is a dynamic test determine if the ball is properly sealing the bore when the gun is loaded....in other words I forgot to put the powder in.

[/quote]

OH, then I am familiar with the fuse test!

dan610324 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 04, 2011, 02:27:06 AM »

I love that fuse test

keith44 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 04, 2011, 06:24:12 AM »

Yep, I think we've all tried that fuse test (or at least similar).

Double D · « **Reply #10 on:** July 04, 2011, 06:40:31 AM »

I think we all were bit surprised by the fuse generating enough pressure blow the ball out.

This was that standard green fuse that got the 12 inches of range.

I will test quill today .

Double D · « **Reply #11 on:** July 07, 2011, 01:12:08 PM »

Ed how much are you going to get for these moulds?

gunsonwheels · « **Reply #12 on:** July 07, 2011, 02:43:02 PM »

Ed,

And maybe a pic or two??

GOW

armorer77 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 07, 2011, 04:27:18 PM »

Does this help ?

armorer77 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 07, 2011, 04:29:45 PM »

I am not sure what just happened . I have posted quite a few pictures but it didn't work the same this time . Ed

little seacoast · « **Reply #15 on:** July 07, 2011, 04:34:05 PM »

Are these molds aluminum or steel? Estimated price?

Double D · « **Reply #16 on:** July 07, 2011, 04:37:21 PM »

Steel!!!!! Yipeee!!!

armorer77 · « **Reply #17 on:** July 08, 2011, 03:53:51 PM »

The price is $105 shipping included .

gunsonwheels · « **Reply #18 on:** July 08, 2011, 04:11:02 PM »

DD:

Quote

85 grains, range 273 feet.
90 grains, range 322 feet
95 grains, range 277 feet.

I was wondering if you were wet swabbing and if maybe had a little residual moisture in the 95gr. shot??

If not moisture, did you form any other conclusions why it was shorter than the 90gr. shot? You didn't change-over into another batch of powder for the 95'er did you? Same "battery"?

...'scuse the curiosity but it's just the analytical side of my engineer personality

Ed:

Are you going to offer a pivot mechanism with handles? Anyone out there interested in doing that? With a pivoting closure mechanism, handles and a ball bungee one could really go "balls out" (sorry... couldn't resist that pun).

Double D · « **Reply #19 on:** July 08, 2011, 04:49:37 PM »

Quote from: gunsonwheels on July 08, 2011, 04:11:02 PM

DD:

Quote
85 grains, range 273 feet.
90 grains, range 322 feet
95 grains, range 277 feet.

I was wondering if you were wet swabbing and if maybe had a little residual moisture in the 95gr. shot??

If not moisture, did you form any other conclusions why it was shorter than the 90gr. shot? You didn't change-over into another batch of powder for the 95'er did you? Same "battery"?

...'scuse the curiosity but it's just the analytical side of my engineer personality

Ed:

Are you going to offer a pivot mechanism with handles? Anyone out there interested in doing that? With a pivoting closure mechanism, handles and a ball bungee one could really go "balls out" (sorry... couldn't resist that pun).

Well like i said in the original post:

Quote

For the test I loaded the gun with powder and fired the zinc ball and then measured the distance the ball traveled including roll out.

So the grass was denser where one ball hit so it didn't roll as far.

keith44 · « **Reply #20 on:** July 08, 2011, 05:08:59 PM »

I have often heard of " the law of diminishing returns" when loading BP rifles, but never seen anything so dramatic. So either denser grass or softer ground or slightly higher angle on flight path. Those were my guesses

Double D · « **Reply #21 on:** July 10, 2011, 05:54:32 AM »

Quote from: keith44 on July 08, 2011, 05:08:59 PM

I have often heard of " the law of diminishing returns" when loading BP rifles, but never seen anything so dramatic. So either denser grass or softer ground or slightly higher angle on flight path. Those were my guesses

Well when the grass is taller than the ball.....

gunsonwheels · « **Reply #22 on:** July 10, 2011, 11:26:35 AM »

I thought maybe with all the moisture the mtn. west has had this year maybe the grass grew that much between shots...