Beginner needs advice

[wilko]

Hi, my name is wilko and i am new to cannon shooting and i would appreciate some advice.

i own a .690 "old ironsides" cannon capable of handling 45 to 85 grains of powder. I'd like to use this cannon for shooting blank loads for sound and smoke for learning purposes but i have a few questions about that:

1:  do i need to use a wad and if so what material would be most suitable ? tin foil, paper or cotton maybee ?

2: i would assume a fast burning powder might cause a louder bang but slow burning powder a more impressive flash from the barrel ?

3: is there a book or something aimed at a beginning cannon shooter ?


thanks in advance !

[powder und ball]

do not use lighter grain of powder that what your cannon is meant to use this can cause overpressure on the barrel.

[Double D]

Use the loads recommend by the manufacturer of your gun.  You might need a wad to hold the charge in place.  Is just enough toilet paper to hold the charge in place. Keep in mind upon firing that gun the wad will be come a flaming burning projectile.

The More Complete Cannoneer says a maximum load for .70 caliber miniature cannon is of 60 grs of FG.

suggested reading is THE MORE COMPLETE CANNONEER  By M.C. Switlik with selected excerpts from other artillery manuals  It is available for $20 from South Bend Replica's listed on our Where to find Blackpowder Cannons and shooting supplies posting listed at the top of this forum.


I strongly suggest you read the sticky's posted at the top of our forum on safety rules and shooting.  Thos little guns have a different set of safety issues than the big guns and you need to be aware of them.

Have fun shooting you gun and post us pictures!

[wilko]

Double D thanks for the suggestion of that book.. i will go get that !

thanks !

[Blaster]

Hey Double D, just a quick question.  You have referred to a book that I believe we all should have, "The MORE Complete Cannoneer" which is sold by South Bend Replicas.  I just picked SBR's newest catalog and they advertise "The Complete Cannoneer"  Is the one that you mentioned "More Complete Cannoneer" an updated version?
I'm about to send for one from SBR but do want to make certain that what I get is the most current version.  Thanks DD for all your help.  It's appreciated.  Blaster (Bob in CO)

[Double D]

The More Complete... is the one you want.  The Complete... is incomplete and The More Complete... has more in it....puns fully intended.

[Blaster]

Hey thanks DD....
Now I'll have to see if SBR does stock the "MORE Complete Cannoneer".  Also, your puns are appreciated - it kinda gets my brain jumpstarted once again.  I have been away from home for just over a month and my mind is still spinning from all the driving etc.
Over the past weekend, I got a two cavity mould for hopefully casting two pound cannon balls.  It is to cast a ball  two inches in diameter but after casting a few, it will not have enough windage for my tube.  I believe it to be a fishing sinker mould and it gets hotter than hell after just casting one ball in just one cavity.  I believe I'll just cast a few more for samples and take it to the Big Wannamacher Tulsa Gun Show in mid-October and place on my table to see if I can sell it.  Surely someone there will be looking for such a mould.  Now, I'll have to call J. Paul Barnett at South Bend Replicas to see if they have the MORE Complete Cannoneer currently  in stock.  By the way, any pictures I have posted so far, hopefully have been within the guidelines that you recently mentioned.  If I ever attempt to post anything that YOU feel may even be in a "gray" area, please caution me.  I value my freedom too much to get on the wrong side of BATF.  OK DD ? Thanks.  Blaster (Bob in CO)

[Double D]

Yes your gun is a replica of several British Guns pre 1898.