Some women deal with stress by traditional methods. Ice cream. Shopping. Good old fashioned tears. Tried that. Doesn't work.I prefer things that go boom!
Black powder therapy. Cannon ready. Range style.You just need a few spare parts from the shed, garage, or evil laboratory and perhaps a friend or relative to divide the blame. And a golf ball.The golf ball is essential. Seriously, chrono this, post the numbers and you could seriously transform golf.
Now I'm not going to explain how to build one. Sure enough I'd leave out one step, someone would lose an eye and the next thing you know, I'd have 5 drooling personal injury lawyers on my porch (zombies!)Do your homework, check your state and local laws for restrictions on such things (many modern subdivisions have a "no cannons" covenant). Don't mix blackpowder with tequila, alpacas or enclosed areas. But there are directions on the net on a number of legal, family-friendly, build this science experiment in your garage kind of websites and there are even golf ball cannons for sale, that look like something out of Bladerunner (and are about $280 and up).
With the right amount of black powder, dry, loosely packed material (yes that is cloth) and a quick but thorough check of the area to make sure no people, animals, news choppers, Conservatives, homes/property or any one's Twinkies Stash are in the line of fire and beyond.FORE!!
Almost 1000 feet. You couldn't even see it go. A quick sponge out with the world's biggest home made Q-tip to to extinguish any burning powder remnants and cool the interior a bit and it was time for strike 2.
Of course, the successful first strike raised the question.
What would this thing do with aircraft gun sights? Then, with sights, you could take it deer hunting. Kill AND gut the deer in one. . . . . (one stop shopping)
Beats the hell out of shopping.
Coming up Next Week - Bowling Ball Mortars and the Single Girl.
That brings back memories when I was about 10, my uncle 15. Found a piece of conduit, and buried it at an angle. Dropped in an M80, then the golf ball. About a block away was an ice rink with a metal roof. We heard the ball hit the roof, ricochet, then the smash of glass as the ball went through the upstairs window, and half way through the lath and plaster wall. Grandpa was not pleased. Learned some new skills, patching plaster and glazing windows. That looks much safer and more fun.
ReplyDeleteAh, good memories. I still can remember the time my Mom, the Deputy Sheriff took out the back window while practicing her golf swing.
DeleteTechnically, as long as it is under 2 inches ...that is 2.000 caliber (IIRC) than it is simply a muzzleloader. Over that, it becomes something else for the ATF.
ReplyDeleteBut be careful making one. The pressures are higher than you might think, especially depending on the wadding you use. you can burst the barrel. (Don't ask).
Still think 55 gallon bags of oxygen and acetylene are more fun though....
The most fun I ever had was when the ATF had a WHOLE bunch of unexploded stuff and invited us over to "get rid of it".
DeleteHomemade cannons are fun, and ... well, that's enough said. Mayhem & frivolity often ensues. :)
ReplyDeleteHow many grains of 2F did you use?
ReplyDeleteI purposely don't give specifics. That way someone can't use them, screw it up and sue me. :-)
DeleteSounds like fun would be nice if it could be used to shoot drones out of the sky.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what was more fun reading, your post or the comments!!!
ReplyDeleteBut did it get rid of your stress??? :)
ReplyDeleteMerle
I am still not sure how my brother survived his teen-age years with all of his OEM parts.
ReplyDeleteMy golf ball mortar only has a 10" barrel and they
ReplyDeletego out of sight straight up.
Ah yes, M-80 and a (or maybe more than one) golf ball... Sigh... Fond memories. (checking statute of limitations)...
ReplyDeleteI don't get it. This seems like something one would use instead of one's driver, but you seem to be using it in the rough. Won't you overshoot the green?
ReplyDeleteYou win the internets tonight. Too funny
DeleteGoing to pistol league was the most fun after a stressful day at work. Miss those days with Bruce. Glad he got me hooked on shooting. Shooting gave me some confidence and I got to spend time with him doing something he truly enjoyed and was good at.
ReplyDeleteI had an idea using a Dixie cup full of flour and a road flare as an exploding target. Plan to try it this Summer.
ReplyDelete