Cannon projectiles

[Odentheviking]

Paul, we regularly shoot mini-cannon competitions at our club. We always treat them just like black powder handguns, and use patched lead balls. Windage is only really an issue once you get above, say, an inch bore....

Thank you Sir! That sounds like fun. What distance are you shooting?

 

[pondoro]

Those bounced shots were reputed to annoy the targeted people:
"1. What is understood by RICOCHET FIRING?
That obtained by firing a piece at very small angles of elevation, by which means the projectile which falls on ground of ordinary firmness at an angle not greater than 100, or upon water at 40 or 50, will make one or more bounds. In this case the projectile is said to ricochet.
2. What is the object of ricochet firing?
To enfilade a face of the enemy’s work, which is effected by causing a projectile to bound along the terreplein of the face with the view of annoying his cannoneers, and dismounting his pieces. It is employed also in harassing an enemy, when formed or in the act of forming behind a rising ground or other obstacle, taking post in a wood, &c.; and in enfilading a line of troops."

This is a quote from a Civil war era cannoneer's manual: http://www.civilwarartillery.com/books/robertshandbookofartillery.htm

 

[Col. Batguano]

Firing at the waterline would also produce ricochets in naval situations, and could produce a desired effect given enough time. Generally it was more useful to dismast the enemy rigging to incapacitate their ability to maneuver, and then their gun decks and return fire capabilities. If you sank a ship you would forego a lot of potential prize money, so it'd be better to incapacitate and capture them if you could.

 

[smoothshooter]

I don't think you are supposed to shoot lead balls in cannons unless the cannon is a very much reduced scale, nor should they be patched. This last is a very big no - no!
The seller of the gun should have told you that.