Black powder cannon laws

[Steven]

It seems that every cannon listing these days says something like "Salute cannon only, no projectiles" even though there solid cannons and look perfectly capable of firing projectiles.

As far as I know there are not any laws in AZ against firing projectiles out of black powder cannons.

The best I can think of is for liability reasons, is that it?

I just wan't to make sure I don't break the law because of ignorance.

[conchshot]

Steven:

You can fire projectiles from your cannon so long as you are in an area that you believe to be safe from the public. I take my piece (a replica of a ship's gun, bore 1.75") to remote areas of National Forest lands. Sometimes I go to a friend's property (he owns a former Titan II missile silo). I try to make sure I have a clear down range of at least a half-mile and clearance of at least a quarter of a mile on either side of me before I shoot. Unfortunately, none of the ranges (at least here in Pima County) will let me shoot there. They will allow my cap and ball revolvers at the ranges, though.

Hope that helps.

[Mooncruiser]

You might want to check out the Bowling Ball Mortar thread here too.

[conchshot]

A friend of mine in Key Largo makes cannon and mortar. He made a bowling ball mortar as a replica of a Spanish mortar typically found at Spanish fortresses. He brought it down to Key West when I lived there and we shot it off the old fortress I used to caretake. It was during a pirate re-enactment. Makes a lot of noise and a lot of flash! I'll try and find my pics of it.

[mingheemouse]

Another reason why a "salute cannon" may not be rated for projectiles is simply physical construction. Adding a projectile in front of a charge of powder dramatically increases pressure in the chamber, and a cannon that is safe for salute charges may very well become an accident waiting to happen if the pressures inside increase. I would advise following the manufacturer's recommendations on such matters.

Remember, in the early days of cannon, the failure rate was still somewhat high, and being anywhere in the area when a cannon did fail was not good for ones health.

Stay safe.