Blank test fire of my dad's cannon (video) Happy Independence Day!

[Turo]

My dad wanted to fire the cannon for the 4th, and he succeeded. This was a non-projectile shot, only paper wadding. About one ounce of Pyrodex. The cannon has a 1-3/4" bore (just big enough to shoot golf balls) and the barrel is about 26" long. He's going to do a big write-up with pictures eventually, but for now the video will have to do.

Enjoy!



Here's a closer picture of the cannon itself, it's not done yet, and isn't painted, but it's going to look even better when it is.

[w55]

Good fun!! Thats one milled piece? Must been really loud in the shop!

I was thinking making one out of heavy wall grade B seamless, but not sure how the pressures would be.

[Turo]

Good fun!! Thats one milled piece? Must been really loud in the shop!

I was thinking making one out of heavy wall grade B seamless, but not sure how the pressures would be.

The barrel was originally two pieces, the rear 15 inches or so was 4" solid bar stock, and the front was 3" diameter bar stock. They were welded together (yes correctly, this thing isn't going to blow up any time soon) into one piece after the bore was drilled. Wall thickness is about 1 inch near the muzzle, and around 1.5 inches near the rear.

I would highly suggest not making a cannon out of tubing, especially if you're not 100% familiar with cannon making and the metallurgy involved.

Oh, and yeah, this shot was loud as hell. I forgot my ears for this one as you can see by my reaction as cameraman. I was a dummy for a minute there.

[Mr. Beretta]

Now that's a hoot!

[redcliff]

Awesome job, well done! Thanks for posting that, I enjoyed it

[L84CABO]

Hehe...nothing says, "Get Off My Lawn!" like a cannon!

[rbahri5206]

Great job just one note try not to get in front of it once there is powder in the barrel, black powder can be very touchy, but awsome job

[Turo]

Thanks guys, my Dad is pretty proud of it. Took him almost 6 months from start to fireable, but I say it was definitely worth it!

[OldShooter32]

Roll a folded sheet of aluminum foil around the rammer head until it forms a cup with five or six layers. Put your black powd charge inside a "Baggie" and then inside the cup and crimp it tightly.
Ram charge, then use a brass rod down the vent to pierce the aluminum and them prime and fire. No need for wadding and very little gets blown out so it is safer (and louder.)
Use a "worm" tool to extract any residual foil before swabbing and reloading.

[OTFL]

Great job just one note try not to get in front of it once there is powder in the barrel, black powder can be very touchy, but awsome job

what he said

[Gio]

Sweet! That was cool!

[CasperSYTFU]

What a cool video. Thanks for posting.
Where does he keep the cannon usually? Inside on display?

[AK all day]

That was so B.A. hahaha, I was expecting a bang, but not that! holy crap!

[freonr22]

Super!

[Flyin Brian]

Very cool