Concrete Lightbulb?

[Novacastrian]

I can say nothing- except "bugger me"!
I just love that shotgun shell.

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

I can say nothing- except "bugger me"!

Not even with a fishfork

I just love that shotgun shell.

How about a spudgun version, we could replace the metal diaphragm with a *ahem* prophylactic

[markieclarkie]

Give it turbine style tail fins so it spins.The gyroscopic effect eliminates fishtailing and results in a huge increase in range and accuracy. Cut off the top of a plastic soda bottle, cut eight evenly spaced slits, and bend 'em up at an angle.Fasten to your tail shaft(A section of 1/2"pvc pipe is just the right size) Use whatever you want for a forward weight/warhead.

[Ragnarok]

Spheres are actually horrible rounds in aerodynamic terms.

True, but they are consistent - and a lot better than the common spud, which is inconsistent, has poor aerodynamics, etc, etc.

It's not that bad, it'll hold quite a good course - or if you set it spinning, you can use the Magnus effect to improve range and accuracy.

Really, all we have for ammo is spheres, potatoes/other vegetables/fruit, semi-rare/slightly pricey items like CO2 cartridges, or stuff you have to make - could just be as simple as a length of steel rod that's been hacked to length, or a lot more complex.
I know you can theoretically use air rifle pellets and similar, but not many people have ever done that.

So, of the two cheap options, it's a sphere, or a spud - and the sphere wins out on aerodynamics there.

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

Natrually, that's why history gave us the musket ball, not the musket spud, and for smoothbore barrels it's workable compromise, my point was that when talking of ideal projectiles, it's not a desirable shape.

In spite of this of course, the spherical projectile is still with us - in shotgun shells, of course, and mines like the Claymore for example pack 700 of them that are blasted out at well over three times the speed of sound. Interestingly, the US is looking to replace flechette rounds for their tanks with the M1028 cannister rounds filled with over 1,000 tungsten spheres.

edit: here's a video of the M1028 spewing out its payload at over 4,000 feet per second

[youtube][/youtube]

I wouldn't want to be on the other side of that storm, you can literally see the shot tear the air apart

[POLAND_SPUD]

wow JSR you always post the best things here.....

yeah spheres are not as good as 'normal' rifle bullets but they are the best thing we can use in smoothbore barrels... (ok, they are the best thing apart from flechetes or drag stabilised projectiles.....)

[markieclarkie]

Someone once told me that a spud Impaled with a toy arrow works pretty good. I've had pretty good results with a carriage bolt imbedded in a spud, and then fired from one of Joel's rifled barrels.

[Carlman]

@JSR, that has to be the video of the week for me

You can see the blur pattern made by the supersonic 'swarm' of balls

and i would love that camera

[Spitfire]

Nice!

[psycix]

Wow impressive video!
That supersonic air-tearing looks awesome.
@carl
yeah, not only the cannon, but also the camera is AWESOME

[daberno123]

Wow just looking at the background flying by so fast really puts it into perspective of how fast its going.

I agree that it would be awesome to have that camera

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

Not only is it the high speed camera, but also the mounting that can track a projectile at almost mach 4

Here's similar footage of the X-rod experimental 120mm round being fired:

[youtube][/youtube]

This is what happens when you don't rifle or gravity stabilise elongated projectiles:

[youtube][/youtube]

[psycix]

Not only is it the high speed camera, but also the mounting that can track a projectile at almost mach 4

Yeah how would it do that?
I think its zoomed in from a far distance so it doenst have to turn so fast.
But then, how do they exactly keep up with the projectile?

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

Yeah how would it do that?

Rotating mirrors

I especially like the bit 10 seconds into this video where that one ball out of a thousand heads straight for the lens. I wonder if it was properly shielded O_o

[psycix]

Yeah how would it do that?

Rotating mirrors

I especially like the bit 10 seconds into this video where that one ball out of a thousand heads straight for the lens. I wonder if it was properly shielded O_o

Mirrors? clever thought....
I didnt think about that

Well it looks like the cam or mirror broke since that one ball turns the screen black and while doing that making a orange dot right where the ball impacted.
Those guys were NOT so clever