Patching?

[Cleburne]

I've never heard of anyone patching balls for smallbore cannons, but a couple friends have mentioned they're planning to use undersized balls and patch them for a snug fit in their newly made cannons' bore (1"). We're all new to cannon use, but do shoot traditional muzzleloading rifles where patched roundballs are the norm. Is this practice considered unsafe in cannons? :idunno:

Cleburne

 

[buzz]

i never put a ball parch in a canon like a rifle
but my 1" bore cannon is very accurate with a lead ball .96 and a white cotton cleaning patch that has little crisco on it and 110 grains 1f
goex
now this combo is not a tight fit and i can press it down with one fingure but those then over the end of the range
right or wrong this works great but i never patch over a 1" bore as you need windage around the projectile

 

[Darkgael]

Is this practice considered unsafe in cannons?

As I understand it....Yes.
If not unsafe, unnecessary.
A properly made cannon/mortar has a bore that is slightly larger than the projectile. This extra bit of diameter is called "windage" and is supposed to be there, not patched away.
Get a copy of M.C. Switlick's "The Complete Cannoneer" for lots of good, safe, info.
Pete

 

[TheDoubleD]

You want to be darn sure you barrel is swabbed and clean before trying to seat a patched ball of this size. I would avoid it. I have never really felt the need for it in my 1 inch gun.