Dangers of Black Powder
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The wood cannot cause a static or compression detonation under regular circumstances.
More importantly, with you asking that question - what is the condition of your cannon? Is it home made or professionally made? Caliber? Condition?
I figure odds of getting hurt by not knowing what to do and not to do with blackpowder are far greater than odds of getting hurt by using a wooden ram rod.
For starters, if the cannon is safe to shoot - be wary of burning embers in the barrel after firing - big charges, large bores, and lots of wadding can leave a tiny little ember in there that can ignite your charge and fire your ram off down range, and possibly through something if you aren't careful.
More importantly, with you asking that question - what is the condition of your cannon? Is it home made or professionally made? Caliber? Condition?
I figure odds of getting hurt by not knowing what to do and not to do with blackpowder are far greater than odds of getting hurt by using a wooden ram rod.
For starters, if the cannon is safe to shoot - be wary of burning embers in the barrel after firing - big charges, large bores, and lots of wadding can leave a tiny little ember in there that can ignite your charge and fire your ram off down range, and possibly through something if you aren't careful.
If you are doing multiple shots remember to swab the barrel with a wet sponge on a wooden rod to make sure there are NO burning embers left.
When ramming, do NOT have your hand over the end of your rod. Use your fingers. In case the cannon fires, the ram rod should just shoot out of your fingers instead of through your hand.
Also never stand in front of your cannon when loading for the same reason.
I also use soaked newspaper for wadding (compress it so it's not dripping water down into the base of the cannon). Less chance of burning embers left over inside the cannon and less chance of starting a grass fire
I've also switched to Triple 7 instead of black powder to escape the Sulphur smell, easier to find, albiet more costly.
When ramming, do NOT have your hand over the end of your rod. Use your fingers. In case the cannon fires, the ram rod should just shoot out of your fingers instead of through your hand.
Also never stand in front of your cannon when loading for the same reason.
I also use soaked newspaper for wadding (compress it so it's not dripping water down into the base of the cannon). Less chance of burning embers left over inside the cannon and less chance of starting a grass fire
I've also switched to Triple 7 instead of black powder to escape the Sulphur smell, easier to find, albiet more costly.
The thing is that black powder only explodes when properly compressed. So with any luck when you pour it in loose with lots of oxygen, if it were going to flair off, it would do so before you compress it, and place the projectile over the powder. So do not pour from the can, use a measure, don't place parts of your body over the hole as you pour it in. If it doesn't flash off, it probably won't go off from compressing it where the oxygen is being driven out. If there was an ember it should have gone off during the pour. Don't place your body in front of the ramrod, or the bore at any time.
One potential problem (if you are located in Can.) is that if your golf ball takes off at over 550 fps (?) and is one of the short overall length designs you may have built a prohibited weapon (or may have an unregistered regular firearm). How far does it shoot? If it's just a few hundred yards then it is well short of 550 fps. There could still be an issue of how heavily it could be loaded... Not trying to stir anything up, but this is a country where they ban throwing stars and blowguns.
One potential problem (if you are located in Can.) is that if your golf ball takes off at over 550 fps (?) and is one of the short overall length designs you may have built a prohibited weapon (or may have an unregistered regular firearm). How far does it shoot? If it's just a few hundred yards then it is well short of 550 fps. There could still be an issue of how heavily it could be loaded... Not trying to stir anything up, but this is a country where they ban throwing stars and blowguns.
What a collection of WRONG!
Come up with some actual cites for this pile of misinformation, or please, stop propagating such drivel!
Or let me rephrase that. Stop propagating drivel!
There is nothing anywhere that looks at the muzzle velocity of cannons. They are a matchlock, and are Prescribed Antique Firearms, and as such, are not regulated under the firearms act. Use one to rob a 7-11, and they are firearms under the Criminal Code, though. Same as a new made Flintlock or Matchlock rifle.
Black Powder IS an explosive, though a slow one, in the scheme of things. It will blow, when unconfined. Put 50 pounds of it in a pile and lay a fuse to it, if you don't believe. I've seen it firsthand, on an EOD range. Boom!
Black powder contains it's own oxygen source, so "compressing it where the oxygen is being driven out" has nothing to do with the hazard.
About the only thing you got right in here, is the risk of embers in the barrel, and " So do not pour from the can, use a measure, don't place parts of your body over the hole as you pour it in."
There is good reason that a bucket of water and a swab for the bore, was standard equipment on a muzzle loading cannon in the field or at sea.
Worth a wipe between shots to increase the lifespan of the loader!
Cheers
Trev
Right On
Way to go, TREVJ! Once again, the DisinformationNet strikes
You are absolutely right on the Validity of the post you quoted. Things like that one gets people into trouble, and possibly the hospital.
TO QUOTE" The thing is that black powder only explodes when properly compressed. So with any luck when you pour it in loose with lots of oxygen, if it were going to flair off, it would do so before you compress it, and place the projectile over the powder. So do not pour from the can, use a measure, don't place parts of your body over the hole as you pour it in. If it doesn't flash off, it probably won't go off from compressing it where the oxygen is being driven out. If there was an ember it should have gone off during the pour. Don't place your body in front of the ramrod, or the bore at any time.
"WITH ANY LUCK when your pour it in loose,,," and "If there was an ember it should have gone off during the pour" and "If it doesn't flash off........ Good Lord! Does he advocate Minefield Clearance by walking through one and jumping up and down?
Why in HE** does the Sponge on the end of a rammer have a use? It is to extinguish any possible embers or hot verdegris in the tube. If the advice above to just pour it in can very easily result in a great big fireball coming out the muzzle, and you have one hand, medium well incenerated.
In the American Civil War, there are accounts of water running out of the tube when rapidly firing cannons. Also, there is a thumbstall, a leather piece that covers the thumb of a Cannoneer. It is heavily reinforced with leather at the bottom, and before ANY loading is done, the Canoneer puts his thumb over the vent to prevent air from entering the chamber and causing any embers to glow.
One safer way is to make a ramrod that has a U on the muzzle end, something like a wooden cane. That way, any part of the body is clear of the muzzle. Another accessory to make is a powder measure. It is made out of BRASS OR COPPER and holds the proper amount of powder for the cannon. It is like a tube that has part of the top half cut away, and is attached to the end of a staff like a rammer.. You charge it with powder, put it down the bore, and turn it 180 degrees so that the powder falls out into the chamber. If you are unsure of the design, PM me and I will send you a drawing of one.
A good reference book is "Round Shot and Rammers", an excellent account of muzzle loading artillery in North America. Many drawings and illustrations are there, including accessories such as rammers, sponges, worms, and other implements.
.
Way to go, TREVJ! Once again, the DisinformationNet strikes
You are absolutely right on the Validity of the post you quoted. Things like that one gets people into trouble, and possibly the hospital.
TO QUOTE" The thing is that black powder only explodes when properly compressed. So with any luck when you pour it in loose with lots of oxygen, if it were going to flair off, it would do so before you compress it, and place the projectile over the powder. So do not pour from the can, use a measure, don't place parts of your body over the hole as you pour it in. If it doesn't flash off, it probably won't go off from compressing it where the oxygen is being driven out. If there was an ember it should have gone off during the pour. Don't place your body in front of the ramrod, or the bore at any time.
"WITH ANY LUCK when your pour it in loose,,," and "If there was an ember it should have gone off during the pour" and "If it doesn't flash off........ Good Lord! Does he advocate Minefield Clearance by walking through one and jumping up and down?
Why in HE** does the Sponge on the end of a rammer have a use? It is to extinguish any possible embers or hot verdegris in the tube. If the advice above to just pour it in can very easily result in a great big fireball coming out the muzzle, and you have one hand, medium well incenerated.
In the American Civil War, there are accounts of water running out of the tube when rapidly firing cannons. Also, there is a thumbstall, a leather piece that covers the thumb of a Cannoneer. It is heavily reinforced with leather at the bottom, and before ANY loading is done, the Canoneer puts his thumb over the vent to prevent air from entering the chamber and causing any embers to glow.
One safer way is to make a ramrod that has a U on the muzzle end, something like a wooden cane. That way, any part of the body is clear of the muzzle. Another accessory to make is a powder measure. It is made out of BRASS OR COPPER and holds the proper amount of powder for the cannon. It is like a tube that has part of the top half cut away, and is attached to the end of a staff like a rammer.. You charge it with powder, put it down the bore, and turn it 180 degrees so that the powder falls out into the chamber. If you are unsure of the design, PM me and I will send you a drawing of one.
A good reference book is "Round Shot and Rammers", an excellent account of muzzle loading artillery in North America. Many drawings and illustrations are there, including accessories such as rammers, sponges, worms, and other implements.
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A safety rammer is a good idea for a cannon. The rammer is hook shaped, the hands are beside the gun when loading, not in front. If there is a premature discharge, the loader's hands are clear.
At Old Fort York, there was a cannon accident some years ago. They were shooting that little brass 4 pdr they have, there must have been a spark, and the charge fired while being rammed. Rammer and rammer head struck the loader's hands as the rammer departed the gun, the hands being in front of the muzzle. Had it not been a blank, the results would have been even worse.
Go the muzzleloading forum. There is a subforum on cannons. There is a stickied section describing accidents. Sobering reading.
At Old Fort York, there was a cannon accident some years ago. They were shooting that little brass 4 pdr they have, there must have been a spark, and the charge fired while being rammed. Rammer and rammer head struck the loader's hands as the rammer departed the gun, the hands being in front of the muzzle. Had it not been a blank, the results would have been even worse.
Go the muzzleloading forum. There is a subforum on cannons. There is a stickied section describing accidents. Sobering reading.
Yes black powder is like COCAINE once you try it it will get into your brainand when you least expect it the thought will jump into your head SHOULD BE SHOOTING BLACK POWDER.
You can be sitting at a stop light and man it will hit you!!!!!!!!!!!
I have sold many a good smokeless rifle to buy another black powder rifle... I am done for I don't know when it will hit again.
I had it hit me one Sunday when I was in CHURCH so out I went got a smokepole from home and off to the range with ball and powder and cap..
Help Ken.
You can be sitting at a stop light and man it will hit you!!!!!!!!!!!
I have sold many a good smokeless rifle to buy another black powder rifle... I am done for I don't know when it will hit again.
I had it hit me one Sunday when I was in CHURCH so out I went got a smokepole from home and off to the range with ball and powder and cap..
Help Ken.
I've also switched to Triple 7 instead of black powder to escape the Sulphur smell, easier to find, albiet more costly.
Sir, with respect, without the sulpherous stench wafting over the landscape [and permeating every stitch of clothing on your body] you might as well be shooting rose-smelling talcum powder.
The WHOLE point of shooting BP is to inhale the stench of burnt gunpowder, get speckled from head to foot with particles of soot and sundry greasy crap, and, at the end of a deafneing an altogether smelly day, to end up looking like a character out of Huck Finn.
Else your day has been wasted....
My $0.02
tac
vagrantviking
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- High River, Alberta
Well put Sir! Words to live by.
