Help - Need a good reloading manual!

[ADash]

I am currently in need of a good reloading manual for a large bore caliber. It is for an 8-inch Howitzer, and I am new to reloading. I have been working on my first load for 4 years now, used over 100 pounds of Bullseye powder, and the case is barely half-full. I'm not sure how much more powder to use and still avoid going over maximum load.

None of the bullet company manuals seem to have the right size bullet for my cartridge, and the correct primer is hard to find. Besides, primers come 1,000 to a package, and I only need one primer. (Large size). Should I use a regular or magnum primer? I heard Barnes makes the larger bullets. Do they expand well? I don't want to lose a deer due to inadequate expansion. I think a 235 pound spitzer would be about right.

What's all this about grains instead of pounds? What does wheat, rice, and corn have to do with reloading? People tell me that reloading saves a lot of money vs. buying factory ammo, but I already spent over $1,600 on powder, and haven't even finished my first cartridge. Where have I gone wrong???

 

[ADash]

I am currently in need of a good reloading manual for a large bore caliber. It is for an 8-inch Howitzer, and I am new to reloading. I have been working on my first load for 4 years now, used over 100 pounds of Bullseye powder, and the case is barely half-full. I'm not sure how much more powder to use and still avoid going over maximum load.

None of the bullet company manuals seem to have the right size bullet for my cartridge, and the correct primer is hard to find. Besides, primers come 1,000 to a package, and I only need one primer. (Large size). Should I use a regular or magnum primer? I heard Barnes makes the larger bullets. Do they expand well? I don't want to lose a deer due to inadequate expansion. I think a 235 pound spitzer would be about right.

What's all this about grains instead of pounds? What does wheat, rice, and corn have to do with reloading? People tell me that reloading saves a lot of money vs. buying factory ammo, but I already spent over $1,600 on powder, and haven't even finished my first cartridge. Where have I gone wrong???

 

[m1gunner]

Black powder would be a better choice, and you might even get to fire it a second time without having to replace the barrel assembly.

You don't really need a bullet. Some wadding and chain or wadding and a bunch of nuts and bolts will assure a hit on your 100 yd target.

 

[Gatofeo]

The best source will be found through your Army or Marine recruiter. Sign up for artillery school.
After a brief, courteous and captivating introduction to military customs -- a quaint period known as Basic Training -- you'll be off to a school that offers personal instruction in the topic you seek.
You will also be provided living quarters, food, clothing and ample hands-on instruction and practice.
After completing your artillery course, you'll very likely be sent to a foreign country, for more hands-on training.
After four to six years of such instruction, you'll be able to WRITE the reloading manual you seek, you'll have so much experience.
Oh, and while you're in this multi-year training period, ammunition is free!
Even your gun is free!
Lodging, food and clothing remain free too!
What a deal!

Um ... before you sign up, you should probably leave your regular guns with someone you trust. That would be me: Gatofeo .... 3rd hut on the left ... Gatoville, Utah.

 

[canoe on the yukon]

ADash,

I can understand your dilema.Feeding a cannon can be so tedious these days.If it were me,I would check with Lyman,RCBS and Lee to see which one has the best deal on 300 pound bullet moulds.I'm told that it takes several good whacks with a sledge hammer in order to cut the sprue but you'll need the exercise as you'll soon discover when it's time to seat the bullet in the case mouth.

With the current panic that is going on,there is a shortage on 8 inch Howitzer brass.When I called Midway to order some the other day,the girl said they'd already sold out.This leads me to think it might be better to be thinking along the muzzle loader route,at least for the time being.

One possible solution would be to close the breech,weld it shut and then drill a hole through the barrel into the chamber area.After that it should be a simple matter to pour powder and ball down the muzzle and by aiming a lit blow torch into the hole you'd previously drilled,you'll be able to dispense with primers and percussion caps altogether.

The exact powder charge is going to be a bit tricky but I'd personally start with about 100 pounds of FFFFG black powder.That should be a good starting load.I should warn you however....target practice with this could turn out to be quite expensive.

One of the biggest handicaps might be concealment.Perhaps you'd consider removing ten feet or so of barrel length.

To avoid the inconvenience of transporting back and forth to the range,you might consider setting it up in your front yard where all of your neighbors can admire it.They will especially love you during your plinking sessions.Pay no attention to the hateful glares you see on their faces.They're just jealous because they don't have a cannon.

 

[moxie]

Bullseye is definitely the way to go if you are trying to economize. Be careful of possible double charges, though. As far as primers for the 8", you might try modifying a cut down Coors Lite can and fill with powder extracted from that 1000 pistol primers. Be careful not to contaminate with WD-40 in the process as that's proven to be bad mojo.

 

[NKJ nut]

100 pounds of Bullseye isn't enough, throw a hundred pounds of 2400 on top

The 235 pound spitzers are in short supply. Are you looking for boat tail or plain base? Have you considered cast?? The cut off base of a 3 lb. coffee can should make a dandy gas check.

 

[walnutred]

I don't think your using the right casing to begin with. Doesn't the 8" use bagged powder? Maybe a chamber casting is in order before you go any farther as you may have a wildcat on your hands. 8" wildcat cartridges can get a little tricky to work up loads for.

 

[FrankD45]

I think we are missing the point here. What is the intended purpose? Home defense? Concealed carry? Small game hunting? There are so many options out there but I want to make sure I am not misleading you.

Frank

 

[Bruce51]

I would recommend conversion to propane. Just get a BBQ igniter and fill some old coffee cans with concrete for ammo. Just think the first in your area with a gas cannon. I can't wait until you are on You Tube. Bruce

 

[canoe on the yukon]

Frank,

I feel pretty foolish right about now.I had made the presumption from the get go that this cannon was intended for some sporting use but you certainly bring up an excellent point.

I think the 8 inch Howitzer would make a great home defense weapon.There are many choices here and my mind is reeling with all the possibilites.As a matter of fact,I'm going to start shopping around for a cannon of my own.

One problem that comes to mind is how will I get it in the house.Immediately I realize that the solution is so simple and I feel so silly for ever thinking it's a problem to begin with.I will tear down the wall,wheel the cannon in and then build another wall.

Since I won't be able to afford more than one cannon,I will have to make do with one.Having the room for it won't be a problem because once my wife sees it she will move out and therefore I will have extra room right away.

With ropes and pulleys I can manuever and turn it around in various directions and at the first sign of trouble,I'll simply light the fuse.Marksmanship won't be an issue because it will demolish the house and everything in it.

Concealed carry might be a little more ticklish but if I hook it up to the back of my suv,I can at least have it with me.Concealment can be accomplished by simply throwing a tarp over it and if people ask,I can say that it's some sort of weird camper.

At the sign of trouble,all I'll need to do is whip the tarp away and light the fuse.One added benefit will be that even if I should miss,the blast and concussion will probably kill them.

This is sounding better all the time.

 

[Rule3]

Originally posted by Bruce Lee M:
I would recommend conversion to propane. Just get a BBQ igniter and fill some old coffee cans with concrete for ammo. Just think the first in your area with a gas cannon. I can't wait until you are on You Tube. Bruce

I am glad to see someone is thinking "Green" here. Propane is a excellent way to go with no pollution and readily avaliable here in the US. Your carbon footprint will be much less.

 

[Bruce51]

Originally posted by OCD1:

Originally posted by Bruce Lee M:
I would recommend conversion to propane. Just get a BBQ igniter and fill some old coffee cans with concrete for ammo. Just think the first in your area with a gas cannon. I can't wait until you are on You Tube. Bruce

I am glad to see someone is thinking "Green" here. Propane is a excellent way to go with no pollution and readily avaliable here in the US. Your carbon footprint will be much less.

Oh no! I don't want to be a greenie. Just think of the mess it will make when it actually hits something. Stuff splattered everywhere, noise pollution, ignition heat warming up the atmosphere above Al Gore's house. I feel better now. Bruce

Can anyone think of a good way to produce sabot projectiles. He's gonna want some additional range.

 

[canoe on the yukon]

Bruce,

About those sabot projectiles,I have an idea.He could take bullets meant for the 6 inch Howitzer and encase them in scalloped out pieces of styrofoam before shoving them down the muzzle.

I'm sure he could get some extra mileage that way.He'd need to make an adjustment to the powder charge though.Perhaps a keg of blasting powder would be about right.

 

[NKJ nut]

Originally posted by canoe on the yukon:


I think the 8 inch Howitzer would make a great home defense weapon.

I think it would make a much better home destruction weapon.

 

[ADash]

I forgot to mention that I need a concealment holster for the beast. Milt Sparks is right here in Boise, and is known for concealment holsters. They warned me that it might take about 25-30 cows to supply the leather. Ankle holsters would not be advisible. I would also need a larger jacket to avoid print-through. I am presently size 36. I was advised to try on a size 40 (feet).

 

[scattershot]

The coffee can/concrete bullets are a good idea, but I would only use them for practice, since they don't expand to twice their diameter. Take the same coffee can, and fill it with molten lead, and before it hardens shove a beer can with the top cut off into the lead flush with the surface.

That will give you an adequate hollow point for self defense purposes, although the late Elmer Keith would probably tell you that it's only good for coyote sized critters.

 

[scattershot]

... forgot to mention, too, that you don't really need a reloading manual. Just keep cramming in powder until you get cratered primers or a burst barrel, and then back off a pound or two on your charge.

Good luck!