Help on loads and firing.

[kaboom]

Ok.  So I have a new cannon too me.  It is a moutaian howitzer on a wood carriage.  The bore is the size of a vegetable can.  I soda or beer can fits with quit a bit of windage. 
So?  What are my options for projectiles?  And what would be a proper load?  The bore is the same size all the way to the breech.
I was thinking of the vegetable cans filled with concrete would be my preffered projectile.  The poder charge I plan on using a foil wrapped powder paccket.
Is this ok and if not any recomendations would help.  Powder load sixe too.
 
 

[Cannon Cocker]

I'll let others comment on the proper load, but I thought I'd mention that years ago I made concrete projectiles in cans.  The cans would often rip off of the concrete and then the concrete would scratch up the barrel.  I would look into casting lead or zinc, or maybe fill cans with something else.  Also, it probably won't be too long before you want to switch to something that is more accurate when the fun of just making noise and not hitting much wears off.  You might want to consider skipping a step. 

[Double D]

Only time I have ever had a can come of a core was with excessive loads.

[Cannon Cocker]

Aluminum beer cans come off with not much of a load.  Heavier soup type cans don't come off as easy, but still do. 

[Artilleryman]

Are the cans loaded with the concrete end toward the breech? 

[Cannon Cocker]

It's been 15 years since I used a can of concrete.  What I remember most (if much) is that I scratched up the bore on that gun.  Was just trying to help someone avoid this problem.  If you guys have a technique down, go for it. 

[Articifer Tom]

  In AAA , I used cans filled to within 3/8" of top with concrete mix with perlite insulation instead of sand to lighten it . Then casted a seperate lead top in semi-wadcutter shape and pressed it in the top . To make up any small unwanted windage a multi-layer wraps of 3/4" masking tape near top and bottom .
   The trick was finding the right concrete to lead ratio ie. front to back to stablize the round from tumbling or going over MAX. SAFE weight and charge .
   I never saw any of these seperate until hitting something . Also can length can affect balance ie. using paint can verse veg. or fruit cans .
 
                                      tom

[Double D]

The only time I had a core come out of a can is with an excessive load and even then it came out after it left the bore. 

[kaboom]

Thanks for the replies I have gotten.
 
So?  Should I load with open end downward or towards the muzzle?

[Artilleryman]

If the closed end has a rounded edge I would load the open end towards the breech as it would have less air resistance.  Otherwise the only reason I can think to load with the closed end towards the muzzle is that it would give a consistent nose and maybe more consistent results.  If you think the can will separate from the core then I would load with the closed in towards the breech.

[kaboom]

That is what I was kind of thinking. 
Now.  So what size powder charge should I start with?

[Double D]

That is what I was kind of thinking. 
Now.  So what size powder charge should I start with?

What is the dimension of you powder chamber.

Go the safe loads sticky and look up the maximum load for that size chamber.  Reduce the load ridiculously, to say 25% of Maximum.  Then increase the charge in small increments.  Make notes as to the range for each charge.  Keep increasing the charge by your increment to maximum or the range you want to achieve is found.