IV8888: DO NOT Get Shot with 1.2 POUND Slug from a Cannon
In what has now become my favorite example of redneck tomfoolery independent and measured testing, Eric from IraqVeteran8888 has put a cannon to ballistics gel testing. Why? Who cares!
The cannon in question uses a 37mm cast slug, coming in at 1.2 pounds. For those wanting to compare to the .223, it is 8400 grains (or about 152x as heavy as a M193 55 grain projectile). Propelled by black powder, the cannon puts out an astounding 45,000 ft/lbs of energy (only about 25x more powerful than the military 62-grain M855 loading). The cannon is nearly 4x as powerful as a .50 BMG round, which has “only” ~14,000 ft/lbs of energy.
The cannon uses a Minie ball design, with a rear skirt that obturates (expands) under the pressure of gunpowder detonation. Once expanded, the skirt engages with rifling which then imparts spin onto the quickly accelerating round, stabalizing it for long flight. Eric states the cannon is capable of firing over 1 mile.
When fired, the lead slug penetrates over 38″ of ballistics gel, plenty of wood, and a stack of dirt. The torso of gelatin is especially telling nearly imploding over the impact (though surprisingly, not breaking apart showing the robust nature of the ballistics gel).
Check out the video below and enjoy the “experiment”.
One of TFB's resident Jarheads, Nathan now works within the firearms industry. A consecutive Marine rifle and pistol expert, he enjoys local 3-gun, NFA, gunsmithing, MSR's, & high-speed gear. Nathan has traveled to over 30 countries working with US DoD & foreign MoDs.The above post is my opinion and does not reflect the views of any company or organization.
More by Nathan S
![[NRAAM 2024] The S&W GVAC, now in .300 Blackout](https://cdn-fastly.thefirearmblog.com/media/2024/06/04/064420/nraam-2024-the-s-w-gvac-now-in-300-blackout.jpg?size=350x220)
Comments
Join the conversation
For everyone looking for more effective ballistics for their rifle-just use a cannon...
One of the greatest weapons of war ever invented was the Battleship. it had cannons that were the greatest cannons of all time. And they could be aimed with pinpoint accuracy. Before guided missiles and smart bomb technology they were without equal.
When our battleship fleet was de-commissioned and sold for scrap that was a huge waste of resources. They should have been put in dry-dock storage and maintained and even upgraded so they could be used again if ever needed.
You wouldn't see Iran attacking our Navy ships in the Persian gulf If we had a Battleship there or even a destroyer. -not to mention if we had a commander-in-chief with a pair of testicles.