Which is louder: My 3" cannon or my .50 BMG?

[CANNONMAN]

I just joined a range and asked if I could shoot my cannons. They are going to take it to the board for discussion but mentioned that it may be a question of noise. They have limited the use of exploding targets because of this. .50's are allowed. I know there are a ton of "what abouts" here but I think my .50 BMG is louder and sharper than this cannon. [It's the biggest in my arsenal.] Anyway, 6oz - home made cannon powder milled very close to store bought - pushing a 3" ball through a smooth bore 6.5' cannon. I will be looking for a decibel meter. No idea what they cost. And it all may be rendered mute for safety reasons. But, I thought, interesting thread. So... Thought and ideas?

 

[desidog]

I assume you have a muzzle brake on the 50? If so, it may be more about directionality than decibels.

From their standpoint, I'd be more concerned about your 3" projectile bouncing across the countryside than the difference between Boom and BOOM.

Have fun, and double up on the ear protection!

 

[1KPerDay]

My money's on the .50 BMG. Like a bomb going off.

 

[Chelsi_R]

agreed the 50 BMG. she would be much louder the first time I heard one It scared me.

 

[Panzerschwein]

I'd say your 3 incher.

 

[MaterDei]

I definitely vote cannon. What kind of velocity do you get out of it. If I was the range board my concern might be damage to target frames and berms. Pics???

 

[CANNONMAN]

I've been thinking about this and if it were me on the other side I would question the integrity of the cannon [and the CANNONMAN] and how long is the range? I agree with desidog on the bounce, but!, they shoot .50's on this range so...? I find it incredible - really the wrong term - how a cannon ball bounces. I read on the use of this effect in wars of past and it's painful to try to imagine the horror. Hard to slow a freight train. I have no idea how to equivocally state my cannons are safe? Then add my own home made BP. I'll let ya'll know.

 

[4v50 Gary]

50 cal. Sonic crack.

 

[Smokin'Joe]

Ball bounce can be very destructive. Remember this from Mythbusters:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ui-xBeqBNi4

 

[CANNONMAN]

I agree with you guys. Gary makes a very good point. Joe I agree but I doubt the bounce would be greater than too high a shot with the .50. This would be measured in miles.

 

[mungojerry]

I want to comment but i'm in the UK so I have no idea what a .50 cal sound's like!

However there is a big difference in sound between the black powder BOOM! and the crack of a rifle so maybe it isn't the loudness it's just the sound frequency that could be the problem?