kiss ammo

[freekforge]

I built a kiss pop can mortar but concrete filled cans just aint enough so would a pop can filled with lead weigh too much? I know the recoil would probably be massive but will it be safe (explosion wise) to shoot or would it be a pipe bomb

[GGaskill]

... so would a pop can filled with lead weigh too much?

Depends on your mortar.  If you made a Coehorn from 4" steel, I would not use more than half a can of lead.  If you made a seacoast mortar from 6" steel, I think you would be fine.

[little seacoast]

I have filled 2.25 inch cans with zinc and shot them without any problems, have not tried to do it with lead though.

[seacoastartillery]

     I measured a pop can carefully and came up with 23.1 cu. in. volume.  Using a standard engineering calculator online I calculated the following weights for various materials you might want to use inside the soda can.

Aggregate concrete....................2.00 Lbs.

Zinc.............................................6.00 Lbs.

Steel...........................................6.55 Lbs.

Lead...........................................9.48 Lbs.

Tantalum..................................13.88 Lbs.


      I went to pick up an item about the size and thickness of the average plastic home waste basket at a place I used to work for years ago.  It was made of Tantalum and I almost wrenched my back.  It must have weighed 70 Lbs. !!  Hint:  don't use Tantalum!  I would stay away from lead too.  Taking chances like that just aren't necessary.  If you don't have a way to cast zinc, buy some surplus steel rounds close to 2.50" dia. and saw to length.  Good luck; be careful.

Tracy

[Double D]

I built a kiss pop can mortar but concrete filled cans just aint enough so would a pop can filled with lead weigh too much? I know the recoil would probably be massive but will it be safe (explosion wise) to shoot or would it be a pipe bomb

what do you mean, "ain't enough" ?  What  "effect" are you looking for

I sure would not  be filling cans with lead and flinging them down range...lead is far to precious.


Why not move up and shoot zinc round balls.  They are available from Rotometals, they are listed in the classifieds  http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/bp-mortar-and-cannon-classifieds/gbo-group-buy-popcan-golf-ball-and-6-pdr-size-zinc-round-balls/.

Shot sanely these balls can be shot over and over again.  It getting so I don't bother with cans any more.  Rotometals also has these in Golf ball size.

[seacoastartillery]

Double D. wrote:   " It getting so I don't bother with cans any more."   By this statement and the fact that you seem to be promoting Roto Metal's  Zinc Cannon Balls, it's seems to us that you have forgotten your roots.  Cans filled with concrete are the MOTHER LOAD of cheap projectiles to shoot!  I think you are forgetting who you are writing for here.  While this group might not share the same attitudes toward firearms as the Handiholics, it's my educated guess that they are closer to that group than the group which gobbles caviar and shoots custom zinc solid shot.

Double D.,    Nobody else here will attempt to keep you on the straight and narrow, so that task occasionally falls to us.  Keeping an eye on your buddies at Roto Metals has now become a secondary chore.  Read the text below very carefully.  Maybe you should call your friends at Roto Metals and ask them why they are making Pop Can Mortar balls at 2.667” dia.  By doing this they have used up all the standard windage allowed for that type of mortar leaving only .002” windage.   Standard windage for the new members and lurkers is  1/40 of the projectile diameter.   2.600” / 40 =  .065”    So the bore size s/b  2.600” + .065” =  2.665” leaving just .002” windage.  People who spend a dime less than $7.00 PER BALL aren’t going to like scrubbing their mortar bores for 15 minutes after each shot just to fit the next ball they want to shoot.
     The text they use is reproduced accurately below:
 
2.667” Zinc Cannon Ball  Pop Can Mortar

OUR_PRICE:_$6.90
This is a 2.667” Zinc Cannon Ball for a Pop Can Mortar
 
What is wrong here?



 Anyone who bought some of these zinc solid shot is encouraged to grab a micrometer or caliper and measure one to let us know exactly what the diameter really is.  Roto Metals is a very nice company to deal with and had excellent service when we bought some lead from them a couple years ago.

 
Mike and Tracy
 
 

[Double D]

Tracy,

I believe this is second or third time you brought this up and I believe you know the answer.  I am pretty sure I will now give the same answer as I gave before and make the same suggestion I made before.

First you are right ,what is on the Rotometal website is wrong!  You know that and I know that.  You also know what the numbers posted mean. It might be better if you explain what you are seeing as well as what you are saying. 

As you post,  it appears you are warning others against using these balls when you know they are just fine.  You and Mike have helped cast them and been present when they were shot.  You know the balls are the right size just that  Rotometals posted the wrong numbers.


You help no one when you say they are the wrong size. You know these balls come from my mould. The numbers on the webpage are wrong

I do know that  George has some of those balls cast from that Mould.  I am not in a position to measure any of those balls and won't be until the end of March.  George could you be so kind as to measure one or two of those balls and post the measurements.

In  your zeal  to "gotcha" you got your math wrong---again If I remember correctly.
 
A popcan mortar with proper windage needs a bore of 2.667.
A Diet Coke can is 2.6 inches in diameter.  (2.6/39)x40=2.667

Windage is 1/40 of bore size so projectile 39/40 of bore size.

These balls are right at 2.6 and are cast from my mould .

I do not consider concrete projectiles as the mother load.  They are not cheap in the long run.  The work intensive, most often single use or double use at best.  I get a lot of use out of zinc with a lot of shots per ball.  Attrition only from lost or damage.  And damaged zinc balls can be recycled.  concrete just becomes so much litter and rubble.

I just  placed an order with Rotometals for 10 of these balls!  total with shipping was $102.  Then I noticed that for orders over $99 free shipping!  So I changed my order to 15. For the price  of 10 plus shipping plus $1.50 I get 15 with shipping paid.

Yes I am promoting Rotometals!  Not for them but for us, so we can have source for round balls.   

They are supplying us with round zinc balls in golf ball and  6 PDR as well as Pop can.  I am working on getting a 1 inch mould so they  can supply us with that size also.

[GGaskill]

George, could you be so kind as to measure one or two of those balls and post the measurements.

Like you, I am away from my supply right now (at my new house in AZ) and won't be back in CA until Sunday, and then I have to find them.  But I will look and measure a few if I do find them.

Regarding mother lodes (unless that was supposed to be a pun), concrete filled cans trade time for money.  If you have more money than time, paying someone else to make them makes sense.  Vice versa also makes sense if that is your situation.  The real advantage with zinc or steel shot over concrete is better flight characteristics.