Cannon newbie looking for advice.

[First Sergeant Dan]

I'm thinking about buying my first cannon barrel and building a carriage. I've been looking at the lineup at Hern Iron Works. Seems like they are holding most of the attention in that market. are they any good competitors? Any thoughts on their products? Do they require a lot of finish work? I'm looking at 2 different bores. One is the trusty golf ball 1 3/4 size and the other is 2 1/4 bore. What do you shoot out of the 2 1/4 bore guns? Like the subject line says....I'm a newbie!

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Phil Coffins]

I built a 1 3/4” and really like it. It uses 500 grains of cannon grade and 1.06 lbs of lead per shot so cost is some thing to consider.
234 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr

 

[First Sergeant Dan]

Looks and sounds like fun. Have you shot any golf balls?

 

[Gun Tramp]

Hern supplies their tubes without the vent drilled and I employed the services of a competent machinist for this task. It is not a job for the garage workshop; there is only one opportunity to get it perfect. Friction primers are safer and more positive than fuse and the ones I buy require a 3/16" vent.

 

[First Sergeant Dan]

That's great info thanks. Where do you get your friction primers?

 

[Gun Tramp]

Phil Boom Boom Sieglein, Holiday, Florida. Check out The Artilleryman magazine for more info...