Bowling ball fun

[TheDoubleD]

Here is what a bowling ball launcher looks like and doesn't put you at risk of flying shrapnel when you shoot it as well as being reusable.



Here is 1 mile shot using 14 oz of Cannon grade black powder



This is a blackpowder muzzleloading bowling mortar, not a pipe bomb.

 

[Bocephus123]

Here is what a bowling ball launcher looks like and doesn't put you at risk of flying shrapnel when you shoot it as well as being reusable.



Here is 1 mile shot using 14 oz of Cannon grade black powder



This is a blackpowder muzzleloading bowling mortaar, not a pipe bomb.

think id make the cannon thicker who was the engineer!

 

[TheDoubleD]

think id make the cannon thicker who was the engineer!

This bowling ball mortar has a reduced chamber just as the British 1844 siege mortar had. The barrel OD is 11.5". Ball bore is 8.6". North South Skirmish Association safety guidelines call for minimum one caliber wall thickness over the chamber made of steel. The chamber is 3 inches in diameter, ID. This is the caliber-3". Wall thickness over the chamber 4.125". The chamber is just not steel but is 4140 gunsteel, exceeding minimum safety guidelines.

Here is the breech plug.

 

[Perplexed]

Here is what a bowling ball launcher looks like and doesn't put you at risk of flying shrapnel when you shoot it as well as being reusable.



Here is 1 mile shot using 14 oz of Cannon grade black powder



This is a blackpowder muzzleloading bowling mortar, not a pipe bomb.

Ask the videographer to use a steady rest next time. I had to replay the first video several times before I saw the dirt being kicked up, due to the wobbliness of the video.

 

[Bocephus123]

This bowling ball mortar has a reduced chamber just as the British 1844 siege mortar had. The barrel OD is 11.5". Ball bore is 8.6". North South Skirmish Association safety guidelines call for minimum one caliber wall thickness over the chamber made of steel. The chamber is 3 inches in diameter, ID. This is the caliber-3". Wall thickness over the chamber 4.125". The chamber is just not steel but is 4140 gunsteel, exceeding minimum safety guidelines.

Here is the breech plug.
View attachment 360738

That’s perfect

 

[undeg01]

Bowling ball launcher 2.0.
I made a combustion chamber that is smaller and not attached to the outer pipe for 2/3 the way around. That will hold the tannerite charge and I can check it for pressure signs as I work my load up. When I see that chamber swell or split, I’ll know to stop increasing load.

It’ll be about a month before I’m back at my place to give this a good test. Stay tuned.

 

[dennishoddy]

Bowling ball launcher 2.0.
I made a combustion chamber that is smaller and not attached to the outer pipe for 2/3 the way around. That will hold the tannerite charge and I can check it for pressure signs as I work my load up. When I see that chamber swell or split, I’ll know to stop increasing load.

It’ll be about a month before I’m back at my place to give this a good test. Stay tuned.

View attachment 361198View attachment 361199View attachment 361200View attachment 361201

Is that going to be bowling ball diameter? I like how your designing it.

 

[undeg01]

Is that going to be bowling ball diameter? I like how your designing it.

The bowling ball doesn’t sit in it, rather on top of it. I thought that would greatly reduce the pressure exerted on the casing.

I didn’t want to build a mortar, rather just a redneck entertainment device.

 

[dennishoddy]

The bowling ball doesn’t sit in it, rather on top of it. I thought that would greatly reduce the pressure exerted on the casing.

I didn’t want to build a mortar, rather just a redneck entertainment device.

Can’t wait for the videos!

 

[John6185]

You should be thankful the thing didn't land on your roof! That would give new credence to "if momma ain't happy, the OP sure ain't gonna be happy.