Casting 7 lb. cannon boolits for Parrott Rifle

[John in PA]

We had a popular thread a few years ago about a new mold and projectile design for N-SSA Rifled Cannon competition. We used this mold

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v421/jwellsgnr/DSCF6115-1.jpg

To cast these projectiles

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v421/jwellsgnr/DSCF6151.jpg

which we fire in this rifle, a 10-pounder Parrott, at 200 yard match targets.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v421/jwellsgnr/201107301106231.jpg

BUT, there were a lot of inquiries as to casting process, sizing, etc., which I never addressed. So, here are three short video clips of the process.
The baseplate/core pin of the mold is clamped in a fixture. The ladle is a bottom pour (self-skimming) design. The mold halves are clamped together during the pour as the weight of the lead alloy (2.5% tin) would force them apart otherwise.


http://vidmg.photobucket.com/albums/v421/jwellsgnr/castingclip.mp4

Next is the process of ejecting the casting from the mold. Sprue's are cut afterward with a pair of specially ground side cutters.


http://vidmg.photobucket.com/albums/v421/jwellsgnr/ejectcastingclip.mp4

And, sizing is accomplished with a converted hydraulic log splitter with a floating die fixture and a nose punch formed to the nose of the projectile. A light skim of gear oil is applied with a paintbrush to the driving bands before sizing.


http://vidmg.photobucket.com/albums/v421/jwellsgnr/DSCF6160-1.mp4

We lube the boolit by applying a paper collar to the drive band and pouring melted lube (1 beeswax:4 Crisco) about an inch deep. When solid, peel paper and shoot!!

We'll be casting boolits again this spring. If you live near Altoona, PA and want in on the process, ping me back and I'll let you know when weather and time suits the project!

[Fishman]

Well that's just cool. I remember that rhread. I don't think my berm could handle one of these!

[Tatume]

Very cool!

[paul h]

Awesome, thanks for sharing.

So, how has the accuracy been?

[Blackwater]

WOW! Now THAT is some FINE CASTING!!! What kind of accuracy are you getting at 200? The stories of some of those old Civil War accomplishments with those guns are amazing.

[W.R.Buchanan]

We have a guy in our club that has a Hotchkiss Rifle? of about 40-50 MM. He makes his boolits out of Aluminum on a lathe.

Yours are much more impressive.

That's a helluva mould, do you preheat it with a Rosebud?

Randy

[John in PA]

I'd love to play around with a Hotchkiss. Matt Switlik, who's one of the hosts for the annual Historic Artillery Match in Grayling, Michigan, has one and has shot it up there. Not sure which projectile he's using, and I think his is a bag gun (powder charge separate from projectile)

[higgins]

do you guys get to pick up spent projectiles on the bank/berm/hillside where those boolits land? I went to a n-ssa cannon shoot at Winchester, VA several years ago, and being the scavenger I am, realized the return on time spent one could get if he picked up a few of those cannon rounds.

I saw some of that style projectile at Winchester, and described them to friends as about a 4" diameter pellet rifle pellet.

[NSB]

John, about ten years ago I attended a Sportsman's Team Challenge Shoot at Hollidaysburg Sportsman's Club. The club had a team come in with a Parrott rifle and put on a demonstration at 250 yards shooting at a styrofoam target with about a ten inch bullseye. I remember them shooting a three shot group with all holes touching the bullseye. Very impressive. After doing that they shot the hanging gong sitting out there and bent it in half and plowed it through the brush for about twenty-five yards. The best part was being able to see the projectile go from the muzzle to the target. Great exhibition. Were you one of the people putting on that event? That was an expensive weekend for me. One of the club members, Bernie, let everyone shoot a Pedersoli Sharps Quigley rifle and I ended up buying one after I got home. I've never forgotten that event and I'm always telling everyone about it. It really made an impression on me. I always enjoyed going to shoots at that club.

[RogerDat]

Now not always... and not in all circumstances but... size if it does not matter certainly can be impressive!

[Shiloh]

There was a guy in Wyoming who made his own pull string friction ignitors for a half scale mountain gun.
Your mold is fantastic.

Shiloh

[John in PA]

NSB, yep, me, my Parrott, and my gun crew. Remember we egged Bernie on to let us take a shot at his NEW gong? Turned that sucker into a WOK with one shot. And you couldn't see it fall down, it just disappeared in the blink of an eye!

[Plate plinker]

Jealous I am. When is the Grayling shoot? I have been wanting to attend that for sometime.

[NSB]

NSB, yep, me, my Parrott, and my gun crew. Remember we egged Bernie on to let us take a shot at his NEW gong? Turned that sucker into a WOK with one shot. And you couldn't see it fall down, it just disappeared in the blink of an eye!

John, if you're ever going to be putting on an exhibition again down in that area somewhere, let me know. I'd drive the six hours just to see it again! Some good trout streams in the area too. I really miss going there and shooting. Great club and great people. Tell Bernie I said hello.

[Leslie Sapp]

I'd like to know the velocity of that, but not bad enough to lend you my chronograph!:)

I'm afraid there wouldn't be much left.

[michiganmike]

Jealous I am. When is the Grayling shoot? I have been wanting to attend that for sometime.

Here is some information about their 2013 shoot. It was in July:
Civil War Cannon Firing Competition (http://grayling-mi.com/events/2013/03/civil-war-cannon-firing-competition-3)
http://grayling-mi.com/wp-content/themes/GraylingVB/images/postdateicon.pngFri, 15 March 2013
Range 35 at Camp Grayling will echo with the sights, sounds, and smells of historic ordnance, in use once again. For the 23rd year, a long range competition with historic ordnance is sponsored by Loomis’ Battery of Michigan light artillery at Camp Grayling and the public is invited to observe the activities.
http://grayling-mi.com/wp-content/uploads/Artillery-shoot-07-071-150x150.jpg (http://grayling-mi.com/wp-content/uploads/Artillery-shoot-07-071.jpg)Cannon firing photo by Dave Schmidt

Approximately twenty Civil War and Spanish American War field guns are expected to take part in the competition, as well as a dozen Civil War mortars. The use of historic cannon in modern recreational competition began back in the 1950’s and continues in various organizations, most notably in the North – South Skirmish Association east of the Mississippi, and the Civil War Skirmish Association, from there to the West Coast. Since most all of the completions are tied to private civilian ranges the historic cannon have rarely been fired beyond 200 yards, until the Camp Grayling matches began in 1990. Now the historic guns are firing at realistic ranges up to 1200 yards, and their real potential can be appreciated.

The Civil War saw the first use of rifled cannon and they predominate at the 1200 yard event, but bronze smoothbores also attend, firing at a realistic 500 yard range. Also attending in significant numbers are the smaller class “mountain rifles” as used in the 1860-1898 period. Most are early breechloaders of 1.65 inch caliber.
All ammunition is inert, but impacts are easily observed, making it interesting for spectators. Targeting is both “bullseye” and simulated counter-battery. Field guns fire 15 shots for score and five at replica field guns built as targets.
Spectators get an extra thrill out of the mortar match since the balls are quite large—from six to eight inches—and are easily seen throughout their slow trajectory. Mortars fire at a downrange flag and the winner is the one with the aggregate of closest hits, computed as the re-useable balls are recovered after the match.

The event is sponsored by Loomis’ Battery of Michigan Light Artillery, which was founded in 1960 to study and interpret the light artillery of the Civil War. Spectators with any interest in the big guns of the past will find the program on Saturday, July 27th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. very interesting. A cash trophy rematch will also be fired the following day, simulating a documented event in January 1862 when the original Loomis’ Battery fired at a single newspaper sheet at 1000 yards. Also on Sunday, July 28th, a brief mortar match will be fired as well as a match for smaller mountain-class artillery. The Sunday program will end by noon.

The range can be accessed from the I-75 Business Loop to North Down River Road and follow the signs. The event is located on Camp Grayling’s Range 35, located off of North Down River Road. Hearing protection, binoculars or spotting scopes and lawn chairs are recommended. There is parking at the site; the area is not paved and is very sandy. Concessions are available. Be prepared for lots of smoke and loud explosions; get a feel for what a Civil War battlefield might have been like. Competitors are willing to answer questions and talk about their various units. Ear protection and binoculars or spotting scopes are strongly recommended! There is no cost to attend this event.

http://grayling-mi.com/wp-content/uploads/Artillery-shoot-07-031-150x150.jpg (http://grayling-mi.com/wp-content/uploads/Artillery-shoot-07-031.jpg)Cannon firing photo by Dave Schmidt

http://grayling-mi.com/wp-content/uploads/Loomis-06-062-300x225.jpg (http://grayling-mi.com/wp-content/uploads/Loomis-06-062.jpg)Cannon firing photo by Dave Schmidt


http://grayling-mi.com/wp-content/themes/GraylingVB/images/postcategoryicon.pngPosted in Area Events (http://grayling-mi.com/updates/events) | http://grayling-mi.com/wp-content/themes/GraylingVB/images/postcommentsicon.pngComments Closed




To check on the date of the 2015 event check http://grayling-mi.com/

MichiganMike

[flyingmonkey35]

I do believe I just found my new hobby

[Love Life]

There is so much awesome in this thread.

[jmort]

Have always wanted to own a working cannon. I agree, so much awesome in this thread.

[M-Tecs]

They are fun. Got to fire a couple in the late 70's. Wanted one since.

[Love Life]

What is the powder charge?

[3leggedturtle]

That is just to cool. I think I would have to invest in a metal detector so i could find the pellets after sending them down range.

[xman777]

This thread rocks!

[W.R.Buchanan]

Yes that Hotchkiss was pretty accurate too. It has a really elaborate peep sight on it and he was able to hit a 5 gallon bucket at 200 yards on about the third try.

We have a Cannon Shoot twice a year at our range in the Ojai Valley. This guy also has a real live .45-70 Gatling Gun which he loads 2000 rounds for before every shoot. He spends several days loading these rounds on a single stage press. They last about an hour! I have never been far enough up the line to get to fire it.

However he also has a Bowling Ball Mortar which I have fired, and 3 oz of Black powder will shoot a 14 lb ball out of sight strait up. When they proofed the gun at a shoot in Coalinga CA he had the gun set up as a Howitzer and with a full pound of black it shot a 14lb ball 1.25 miles! It weighs right at 600lbs and takes 8 guys to move in and out of the trailer.

One of the coolest things I have ever seen.

It should be noted that the 32 lb. Cannons on HMS Victory would fire a Cast Iron Ball of 32 lbs. 2.5 miles!,,, in 1765! It had 104 guns aboard with varying sizes from 12-32 lb projectiles. I can only imagine what the Spaniards thought about receiving a broadside from that ship.

I doubt that most people have very little idea of how devastating warfare was back then and is now. Movies are starting to get the graphics about right, but they can't convey the duration of those fights or the shear amount of blood flying around.

Randy

[freebullet]

This is in the top 5 coolest things I've ever seen. Thank you sincerely for sharing it. That mold takes my breath away.

[mikeingeorgia]

That's awesome! Do you happen to have any pics of the rounds after they hit, or do they disintegrate?

[DR Owl Creek]

Wow!!! That is really cool!!!
Thanks for posting that!

Dave

[JeffinNZ]

That's mould is a thing of beauty but I would feed it zinc and not precious lead.

[John in PA]

Most of your questions (and a lot more) are answered in the original thread. Info about loads, pictures of fired and unfired projectiles, and lots more.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?97538-New-Mold-Design-BIG-BOOLIT!!

Here's a link to live fire at Grayling. These are full power military loads with a 10 lb Zinc diecast projectile with a brass cup, and 1 lb 1Fg powder. 1000-1200 yard range.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EL13quhcUMw


The lead pellets we use for 200 yd N-SSA competition at 200 yard range with 5.5-6.5 oz.

[John in PA]

Thread revival: Here's some very cool ultra-high speed video of some of my buddies shooting at an artillery competition in Tennessee. The camera work is extraordinary! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgqIWDPMALk&t=1s

[TNsailorman]

John, where and when do they have this yearly shoot in Tennessee? I might like to go and take one in. james

[John in PA]

The Tennessee shoot has been held on a private farm in Pelham TN. The farm actually was sold this spring, but the new owner has expressed his intention to continue the shoot and even make it bigger and better. We'll see what develops. Steve Cameron of Trail Rock Ordnance (Trailrockordnance.com) has been instrumental in organizing and promoting the shoot. I'd watch his website or FB page for future info. The Grayling Michigan match is also on the schedule for this year. September 7-8, 2019, on the National Guard base in Grayling Michigan. (Way up north, about an hour below Mackinac Bridge and the UP) Full military loads at 1000-1200 yards. Here's a video montage of me and my buddy Tim Scanlan duking it out at 1000 yards, Parrott (right) vs. Ordnance rifle (left) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baSiPBDIzyI&t=5s

Of course, the N-SSA National matches are held spring and fall at Fort Shenandoah near Winchester VA. Artillery matches are all day Saturday afternoon. 40-50 guns shooting at 200 yards (reduced loads) Also a large artillery-only shoot there in August. Keep watching n-ssa.org for shoot schedules at Fort Shenandoah.

[Golfswithwolves]

I'd not mind checking downrange after after one of the cannon shoots was well over! Finding one or two of those projectiles could keep the average bullet caster in lead for quite awhile.

[waksupi]

How was your accuracy with that projectile? A local friend was using one like that, with pretty poor results. I designed him a new projectile, and he was able to keep his group under 18" at 500 yards with it.

[DonH]

Cool! I would like to have a 37mm version of that projectile.

[Onebad06vtx]

I would like to mine your range. lol