Author Topic: muffler pipe projectiles (Read 1081 times)

Rickk · « **on:** June 23, 2006, 03:30:15 PM »

THE American Artillery Association requires a certain minimum projectile length to bore length for mortars and a round ball ain't gunna cut it in my
10 inch long, 2.25 inch bore mortar.

I have been looking for something tubular that is close to 2.25 inches.

None of the normal plumbing is the right size. I stumbled across muffler pipe on the NAPA web site. They seem to have quite a selection. I didn't totally check it oot, but they might have everythign in 1/8 inch OD increments in common muffler pipe sizes.

I ordered 10 feet of 2-1/8 muffler pipe to play with... should be in on Monday. I figure I can cut it with a chop saw, weld something someplace on the inside to act as a concrete anchor... maybe just some 1/8 rod across the inside tack welded to the walls, and fill with sand mix concrete.

Anyone have any experience with somewhat thin-walled concrete filled steel pipe as projectiles?

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #1 on:** June 23, 2006, 11:47:46 PM »

Should be a good choice:

Consistant size (OD).

Strong. Copper tubing works well in smaller (1/2" and 3/4") sizes.
Soup cans work well.
Modern beer cans are so thin they open up like a daisy when fired (Concrete filled or other material)

Cheap compared to copper.

PVC pipe works, sometimes will allow core to slip - especially if it hasn't cured. (PVC pipe is VERY smooth on ID.)

Therefore, it shouldn't take much to retain the core - even just a quick roughing of the ID - perhaps with one pass around with the wire welder.

Victor3 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 24, 2006, 12:19:09 AM »

Why not just make several big dimples in the tubing with a hammer and punch? That should hold the concrete in there good (?)

moose53 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 24, 2006, 04:25:41 AM »

A good way to use pipe for shells is to cut the sections with a good pipe cutter .It rolls the cut edge in, making it safer to handle and would keep the concrete locked in.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #4 on:** June 24, 2006, 07:47:42 AM »

Moose -

WELCOME TO THE BOARD!

Excellent idea. From my experience with PVC, the rolled edge should hold it.

Rickk · « **Reply #5 on:** June 24, 2006, 12:23:32 PM »

I was going to cut it with a chop saw.

I have used pipe cutters on copper, so I know what you mean about the rounded edge.

Do they make similar pipe cutters that work on muffler pipe?

moose53 · « **Reply #6 on:** June 24, 2006, 05:25:35 PM »

Same cutter should work on both copper and muffler pipe.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #7 on:** June 25, 2006, 02:07:27 AM »

Is there not also a cutter designed to cut thin-wall electrical conduit?

jgalar · « **Reply #8 on:** June 25, 2006, 03:22:40 AM »

Any autoparts store will have an exhaust pipe cutter. They are inexpensive and will cut the pipe square. Could you drill a couple of holes through the pipe, install nuts and bolts and pour the concrete so that it surrounds the bolts?

Rickk · « **Reply #9 on:** June 25, 2006, 03:54:01 PM »

I picked up a pipe cutter big enough to cut steel pipe this size. The pipe comes in tomorrow, so I'll try it this week. If the curl in the end isn't enogh, I can tack something inside with my MIG.

Double D · « **Reply #10 on:** June 26, 2006, 07:34:50 AM »

Quote from: Rickk

THE American Artillery Association requires a certain minimum projectile length to bore length for mortars and a round ball ain't gunna cut it in my
10 inch long, 2.25 inch bore mortar.

I think their might a little bit of unclear wording in the rules posted on http://www.americanartillery.org/aaa/mrt.html.

Quote

Rule F Barrel length shall not exceed 2 times the projectile length, while projectile length shall not exceed 3 times the bore diameter

If this rule is correct then an Original 24PDR mortar would be ineligible to shoot. THe 24 PDR Coehorn had a bore of 5.82. and barrel length of 16.34 inches. I sent them an email for clarification.

Rickk · « **Reply #11 on:** June 26, 2006, 11:44:17 AM »

Double D... is 16.34 inches the barrel length or the bore depth?

guardsgunner · « **Reply #12 on:** June 26, 2006, 02:33:57 PM »

The bore is close to 9" ,plus 4 1/4" for the chamber. 16.3 oal.

Rickk · « **Reply #13 on:** June 26, 2006, 02:57:56 PM »

It is a projectile diameter to bore length ratio, not barrel langth ratio.

Double D, if Lydia from the the AAA takes a couple days to get back to you, that is expected. "Caroline Sara" was born a coupla days ago. In 1860 she would be epected to answer e-mails the day after, but in 2006 you gotta give her a couple days at least :-)

Double D · « **Reply #14 on:** June 27, 2006, 05:35:18 AM »

Quote from: Rickk

Double D... is 16.34 inches the barrel length or the bore depth?

OAL of barrel!

Rickk · « **Reply #15 on:** June 27, 2006, 03:55:35 PM »

$30 ACE hardware pipe cutter that goes to 2 1/8 cuts the 2 1/8 muffler pipe nicey (it prolly would go bigger that 2 1/8 by a bit).

Takes about a minute per cut, with little effort.

There is an inward bell on each end due to the cutter.... should hold the concrete nicely. It will also insure no pipe edge scraping against the bore. Maybe a bit of wax should go on the outside.

I can always put some beads inside with a MIG welder if needed as well.