Special things to know about loading a cannon?

[41 Colt]

Is there anything different about loading a cannon verses a muzzleloading rifle I should know?

I bought the .69cal in the EE.

 

[Avalonthas]

No rapid fire

 

[apu]

Hmmm, .69 cal artillery, me thinks Colt 41 is a purveyor of mass destruction now

Sounds like fun.

 

[vagrantviking]

Make sure that there is nothing smoldering in the bore before you go to reload. Can be an issue if you use paper wrapped powder charges.

Be very aware that you don't have any part of yourself in front of the muzzle when loading. Seems obvious but can be a bit tricky. I've seen some people use a ramrod that has a handle that sticks out at a right angle.

If its a little table-top cannon be aware that recoil can send them backward at a surprising speed if there isn't anything holding them down.

 

[Steppenwolf]

A vent hole plug or stall to plug/cover the vent in between rounds.

 

[A-zone]

These guys seem to have figured it out...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wY1fUAPYH3M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGTsVUSiM1g

 

[Found]

Show us lots of pictures or videos when you shoot it so we all can get addicted.

 

[fat tony]

Cool. The graybeardoutdoors forums has the ass - kicking est body of knowledge on this type of artillery.

 

[nessy357]

When you're loading a cannon especially the mini-cannons , just be careful of spillage when you are pouring black powder down the barrel, sparks from the touch hole can ignite it.There's one member in the club i belong to put on quite a show , when the powder he had spilled AND fuse he had laying around all touched off when he fired his mini cannon from the shooting bench !

 

[Steppenwolf]

As my Brother would say "That's how dancing was invented"

There's one member in the club i belong to put on quite a show , when the powder he had spilled AND fuse he had laying around all touched off when he fired his mini cannon from the shooting bench !

 

[Al Flipo]

Consider making a storage box for your cannon,,,easy to make from dimensional lumber.

 

[Bookworm]

Try this
Brush your barrel to remove old pieces of shell/wad/etc.
Sponge barrel to dampen all embers
Load charge
Ram charge
Insert fuse
Light and cover ears
Repeat as necessary

Dave

 

[Raton57]

Make sure that what ever projectile you use dosn't have a hollow base .It flies several times as far if it does.