Anyone own a black powder cannon?

[wksun88]

Hey guys, I'm thinking about buying a black powder cannon like one of these
http://blackpowder-cannons.com/products.htm
If anyone owns one, can you tell me what type of maintenance these things need to function correctly? :D

[Sydwaiz]

Clean them well when done and pyrodex sucks.

[rg_1111@yahoo.com]

I have a small cannon. The one Im building is like the picture. You can build them much cheaper than you can buy them. They are a blast to shoot no pun intended.
I will PM you some links.

[CSACANNONEER]

Well, I'm not impressed with the pictures. It would take a lot to prove to me that they are authentic reproductions. I noticed too many details that I believe are inaccurate. How big of a gun are you looking for? How authentic to a certain era do you want it to be? If you're in So Cal, PM me and I'll get you on a gun crew at our next re-enactment. IIRC it's the weekend of May 31st in Long Beach. We have loner uniforms so the cost to participate will be very minimal.

[Blue]

Bigmac owns or owned one, and its freakin badass :D

[Experimentalist]

I will PM you some links.

I would be interested in Black Powder Cannon links as well. Would you mind posting in the thread?

Thanks in advance. :D

[wksun88]

Well, I'm not impressed with the pictures. It would take a lot to prove to me that they are authentic reproductions. I noticed too many details that I believe are inaccurate. How big of a gun are you looking for? How authentic to a certain era do you want it to be? If you're in So Cal, PM me and I'll get you on a gun crew at our next re-enactment. IIRC it's the weekend of May 31st in Long Beach. We have loner uniforms so the cost to participate will be very minimal.

I'm looking to buy one that's about 3-4 feet in length (total length)
I don't need anything that is too authentic, I just want to enjoy shooting it primarily without having it being an accurate reproduction. Any ideas?
Oh and also, would I have to cast my own lead balls if I get a cannon with a 1 inch bore diameter? Can't seem to find any website that sells lead balls that big.

[ohsmily]

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=37620

We casted our own projectiles.

[tlillard23]

I have a friend with a few cannons for sale. email me

[Tweak338]

Bigmac owns or owned one, and its freakin badass :D

that 20mm cannon was Awesome!

[pogo]

An old timer a few miles away showed me several cannons that he had made. All were scale, but some still pretty big. they looked very good to my untrained eye, especially his Napoleon 12 pounder.

His workshop was fairly small and simple, but I thought his work was very good, the only thing he didn't do to complete the cannon was the touch hole.

[CSACANNONEER]

I'm looking to buy one that's about 3-4 feet in length (total length)
I don't need anything that is too authentic, I just want to enjoy shooting it primarily without having it being an accurate reproduction. Any ideas?
Oh and also, would I have to cast my own lead balls if I get a cannon with a 1 inch bore diameter? Can't seem to find any website that sells lead balls that big.

You will still want some proper training! I suggest finding and joining a live fire club before you make an investment in something that you might later regret. where are you located? I might be able to point you in the right direction. As far as casting your own, It will depend on exactly what you end up with. I've made my share of canister rounds for personal use as well as a few History Channel and Discovery Channel shows. For solids, the only things I've shot have been Paulson Bros bolts. They are about 18lb, 2.9xx" conicals with a brass base. Before you make a purchase, you should have a source for powder (I recommend Coonie's if you're buying cases at a time), projectiles and friction primers (fuse really sucks and IMO, isn't as safe).

[wksun88]

I'm located in San Diego, so if you know any cannon clubs around here that would be awesome.

[CSACANNONEER]

Yea, I know there is at least one in So Cal, I'll try to come up with some contact info for them. If you don't hear back from me in a few day, PM me and remind me! I won't think you're bugging me. I'm just busy and sometimes I forget to do these things. I don't want to make calls about this today and intrude on anyone's Mother's Day plans.

[wksun88]

Cool, I'm looking forward to hearing from you.