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Size Counts:
Over the
years many of us have owned "toy cannons" and had much fun with
them. Our rule of thumb is this:
Any cannon with
a bore diameter greater than 3/4 inch are not toys and must be treated
with the same respect that you would show any gun.
Our M45-G/2 is much larger than that guideline and must be given the
utmost respect!!!
Unless strict safety rules are read, understood and followed you will
be placing yourself and others around you in great danger.
You are responsible for
reading, understanding and following the safety guidelines for safely
shooting this cannon and under no circumstances will I, the distributors or
manufacturers be liable for any accidents that result from the use or
attempted use from any cannon sold through this website and Diamondback
Cannons, Inc.
Basic
Safety Rules:
1. Children
under 18 should never be allowed to shoot the cannon.
2. Never use gun powder or smokeless powder in the gun. (this is the
kind
found in shotgun or rifle shells. It burns too fast and can make the
barrel explode and injure nearby people.
3. Never shoot anything not designed to be shot from this gun eg:
dynamite, fireworks, live ammo, rocks, marbles, steel balls, etc.
4. Never stand in front of the cannon - even if it has a blank charge
in it. The safe zone is at least 200 feet in front of the cannon with a blank
charge and no one in sight for a loaded charge.
5. Everyone nearby should be wearing ear and eye protection. This gun
is very loud and since a large amount of powder is being shot, many particles
will come out of the barrel at a very high rate of speed.
6. No smoking in the immediate area.
7. No drinking of alcoholic beverages for 8 hours before or during
operation of the gun.
8. Always allow 3 minutes after firing the gun before you attempt to
clean and reload - this allows any burning embers time to cool.
9. Maintain a 50 foot safety zone with markers to keep people at a
safe distance.
10. ONLY USE FG OR FFG BLACK POWDER OR PYRODEX IN THIS GUN!!
Loading
Instructions – Muzzle Powder Loading:
1. Before loading, the cannon should be in a safe shooting area
on level stable ground. If you wish, you can stake the cannon down to the ground,
but with a new longer, lower center of gravity we just released the cannon
only moves back 2 to 3 inches when firing a full load (400 grains). At first
it is a good idea to load the cannon lightly (about 1/2 oz or 200 grains) and
work your way up to a full charge (1.00 oz) in order to get to know the
recoil on your gun. A partial load (1/2 oz) produces a large bang and may be
enough for your taste while saving powder.
2. Clean the nipple with a small wire before each round is fired to
insure it is not blocked.
3. The powder should be accurately measured, the poured into the bore
with a funnel. A small aluminum funnel works well, as does a folded piece of
paper. Use the wooden ram rod provided (flat end) to push the powder to the
end of the barrel - carefully being sure you have all the powder pushed down
the barrel. Wood, aluminum and brass utensils work well, but never use
plastic as it can create static electricity!
It is easier if the barrel is tilted somewhat upwards.
4. Always load from the side, never in front of the gun! Also, never
hold the ram rod between your fingers or with the end in the palm of your
hand for safety. Always have a loose grip along the shaft - preferably with
one hand at a time.
5. Only use a standard golf ball in good condition - never use one
that is out of round or torn or split. Take a piece of newspaper about the
size of a regular piece of paper 8" X 11", fold in half, the wad up
into a small ball. The ball should be round - about the size of a golf ball.
Place that in the barrel first and lightly push to the end with the flat end
of the ram rod. Do not use more paper than this - it is not necessary and
only creates too much pressure in the barrel. Now place the golf ball in and
push to the end being sure it is all the way against the paper wad -
securely.
6.
Place a musket cap on the nipple, sight in your target with the optics, take
the lanyard back to a safe distance behind the gun, be sure the range is
clear and fire at will…..
Reloading
Instructions:
1. Wait a minimum of 3 minutes to begin reloading procedure.
2.
Run a dry cleaning cloth down the barrel several times turning it as you go
to remove as much residue as possible. Run a pipe cleaning wire down the fuse
hole to clear it as well.
3.
Repeat loading instructions steps #1 - #5.
What
if the gun does not go off?
1. Wait a minimum of 5 minutes before approaching gun.
2.
Stay behind gun at all times!!!
3.
Using a pipe cleaning wire, clean fuse hole and try again.
4. If
gun does not fire after 3 attempts following steps #1 - #3, then wait 5
minutes, put on gloves and remove the barrel end cap and unload the gun from
behind by pushing the charge out of the barrel with the wooden ram rod
provided. Always, however, stay out of the forward or rearward path of the barrel
while doing so. When the ball and powder is removed, clean, re-assemble, then
reload using the first 5 steps.
Print this page out and
keep it with you as a safety check list.
Cannon shooting is a
fun and exciting hobby and the M45-G/2 brings this into the reach of many
more people because it is affordable and portable even for one person. This
gun is designed to roll into the back of a pickup truck bed or even the back
of most SUVs. Follow the above safety guidelines and have fun.
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