Civil War Artillery Shot Tables

Cannon bore, shot, shell, canister, and grape shot diameters
for rifled and smoothbore cannon. CivilWarArtillery.com

Rifle Canister 

Cannon Bore Diameter

 Cannon – Rifled

Pattern

 # of Pieces

Diameter & Shot Material
 1.7-inch  Whitworth?    24  .65-inch lead shot
 2.25-inch  CS Mountain Rifle    27  .70-inch lead shot
 2.6-inch  6-pdr. Wiard Rifle  Wiard  84  .65-inch lead shot
 2.6-inch  6-pdr. Wiard Rifle  Wiard  27  .85-inch iron shot
 2.6-inch  6-pdr. Wiard Rifle  Wiard  27  .85-inch lead shot
 3-inch  Ordnance Rifle
  Absterdam  …..  misc scrap steel
 3-inch   Ordnance Rifle  Dyer  80  .65-inch x .75-inch lead slugs
 3-inch  Ordnance Rifle  Dyer  91  .65-inch lead shot
 3-inch  Ordnance Rifle  Dyer  156  .65-inch lead shot
 3-inch  Ordnance Rifle  Hotchkiss  156  .65-inch lead shot
 3-inch  Ordnance Rifle  Hotchkiss  110  .80-inch iron shot
 3-inch  Ordnance Rifle  Hotchkiss  55  .95-inch iron shot
 3-inch  Ordnance Rifle  Hotchkiss  28  1.15-inch iron shot
 3-inch  Ordnance Rifle  Sawyer rigid wall  156  .65-inch iron shot
 3-inch   US/CS Rifle    48   .95-inch iron shot
 3.3-inch  CS Rifle    27  1.05-inch iron shot
 3.4-inch  Dahlgren Rifle  Sawyer  34  1-inch iron shot
 3.5-inch  12-pdr. Blakely Rifle  Blakely  27  1.1-inch iron shot
 3.67-inch 20-pdr. Parrott Rifle
  Hotchkiss  55  1.15-inch iron shot
 3.67-inch  6-pdr. Sawyer Rifle  Sawyer rigid wall  41  1-inch iron shot
 3.67-inch  6-pdr. Sawyer Rifle  Sawyer accelerating  34  1-inch lead shot
 3.67-inch 20-pdr. Parrott Rifle – US/CS    48  1.15-inch iron shot
 3.67-inch  12-pdr. Wiard Rifle  Wiard  27  1.1-inch lead shot 
 3.8-inch  14-pdr. James Rifle  Dyer  27  1.2-inch lead shot 
 3.8-inch  14-pdr. James Rifle  James  27  1.2-inch iron shot
 3.8-inch  14-pdr. James Rifle  Wiard  48  .85-inch lead shot
 4-inch  Dahlgren Rifle    48  .95-inch iron shot
 4.2-inch  30-pdr. Parrott Rifle    48   1.3-inch iron shot
 4.5-inch   Siege Rifle    48  1.4-inch iron shot
 5.3-inch  60-pdr. Parrott Rifle    48  1.65-inch iron shot
 6.4-inch  100-pdr. Parrott Rifle    48  2-inch iron shot
 7-inch  Brooke Rifle    114  1.3-inch iron shot

Smoothbore Canister 

Cannon Bore Diameter

 Cannon – Smoothbore

Kind

 # of Pieces

Diameter & Shot Material
 2-inch  Woodruff    41  .65-inch lead shot
 3.35–3.4-inch  4-pdr.  Quilted Grape  20  1.2-inch iron shot
 3.35–3.4-inch  4-pdr.    27  1-inch iron shot
 3.67-inch  6-pdr. – US/CS    27 & 28  1.14-1.17-inch iron shot
 3.67-inch   6-pdr. – CS    23  1.25-inch iron shot
 4.2-inch  9-pdr.    27  1.3-inch iron shot
 4.62-inch  12-pdr. Mountain Howitzer    148  .65-inch lead shot
 4.62-inch  12-pdr. Field Howitzer    48  1.05-1.08-inch iron shot
 4.62-inch  12-pdr. CS Howitzer    40  1.2-inch iron shot
 4.62-inch  12-pdr. US/CS Napoleon    27  1.46-1.49-inch iron shot
 4.62-inch  12-pdr. CS Napoleon  Langrage  …..  misc nuts & bolts
 5.3-inch  18-pdr.    27  1.67-1.7-inch iron shot
 5.82-inch  24-pdr. Gun    27  1.84-1.87-inch iron shot
 5.82-inch  24-pdr. Howitzer    48  1.32-1.35-inch iron shot
 5.82-inch  24-pdr. CS Howitzer    80  1.05-inch iron shot
 5.82-inch  24-pdr. CS Howitzer    38  1.5-inch iron shot
 6.4-inch   32-pdr. Gun    27  2.02-2.06-inch iron shot
 6.4-inch  32-pdr. Howitzer    48  1.46-1.49-inch iron shot
 6.4-inch  32-pdr. CS  Langrage  …..  misc nuts & bolts
 7-inch  42-pdr.    112  1.3-inch iron shot
 7-inch  42-pdr. Gun    27  2.22-2.26-inch iron shot
 7-inch  42-pdr. Gun  Quilted  105  1.3-inch iron shot
 8-inch  Siege Howitzer    48  1.84-1.87-inch iron shot
 9-inch  Dahlgren Shell Gun    231  1.3-inch iron shot
 10-inch  Rodman    294  1.3-inch iron shot
 10-inch  Columbiad CS    72  2-inch iron shot
 11-inch  Dahlgren    315  1.3-inch iron shot
 15-inch  Dahlgren or Rodman    600  1.3-inch iron shot

Stands of Grape 

Cannon Bore Diameter

 Cannon – Smoothbore

Kind 

 # of Pieces

Diameter & Shot Material
 4.62-inch  12-pdr.  Army  9  2.02-2.06-inch iron shot
 5.3-inch   18-pdr.   Army  9  2.36-2.4-inch iron shot
 5.82-inch  24-pdr.  Army  9  2.60-2.64-inch iron shot
 6.4-inch  32-pdr.  Army  9  2.86-2.9-inch iron shot
 7-inch  42-pdr.  Army  9  3.13-3.17-inch iron shot
 8-inch     Army  9  3.54-3.6-inch iron shot
 10-inch  Columbiad, Rodman, other  Army  9  4.55-inch iron shot

Quilted Stands of Grape 

Cannon Bore Diameter

 Cannon – Smoothbore

 

 # of Pieces

Diameter & Shot Material
 6.4-inch  32-pdr.    12  2.5-inch iron shot
 7-inch  42-pdr.      15  2.3-inch iron shot
 8-inch  Gun     18  2.5-inch iron shot
 9-inch   Dahlgren Shell Gun     18  2.8-inch iron shot
 10-inch  Columbiad, Rodman, other     15  3.35-inch iron shot
 11-inch   Dahlgren     15  3.55-inch iron shot
 15-inch  Dahlgren or Rodman     18   4.55-inch iron shot

Descriptions of Solid Shot for Smoothbore Guns
Caliber designation Bore
Diameter in inches		 Diameter of shot in inches Weight in pounds (Shot) Weight in pounds (Shell) Mean weight in pounds (Case shot)
1-pdr.   1.95-inches 1  …..  …..
3-pdr. 2.9-inch 2.84-inches 3.05  …..  …..
4-pdr. 3.2-inch 3.12-inches 4.07  …..  …..
6-pdr. 3.67-inch 3.58-inches 6.1  ….. 3.22
9-pdr. 4.2-inch 4.1-inches 9.14  …..  …..
12-pdr. 4.62-inch 4.52-inches 12.25 8.34 6.22
18-pdr. 5.3-inch 5.17-inches 18.3 13.45 9.27
24-pdr. 5.82-inch 5.68-inches 24.3 16.8 12.32
32-pdr. 6.4-inch 6.25-inches 32.4 22.5 16.12
42-pdr. 7-inch 6.84-inches 42.5 31.3 20.73
8-inch 8-inch 7.88-inches 65 44.12 (Mortar)
49.75 (Gun)		 30.36
9-inch 9-inch 8.87-inches 88 70  
10-inch 10-inch 9.87-inches 127.5 88.42 (Mortar)
101.67 (Gun)		  
11-inch 11-inch 10.87-inches 165 132  
12-inch 12-inch 11.87-inches 222  …..  
13-inch 13-inch 12.87-inches 282.84

197.3 (Mortar)
Model 1841

  
15-inch 15-inch 14.85-inches 400 (varies) 330 (varies)  

Solid Iron Balls Used In Stands Of Grape
Caliber designation Allowable diameters in inches Diameter of shot in inches
12-pdr. 2.02-2.06-inches 1.14-inch
18-pdr. 2.36-2.40-inches 1.8-inches
24-pdr. 2.60-2.64-inches 2.4-inches
32-pdr. 2.86-2.90-inches 3.15-inches
42-pdr. 3.13-3.17-inches 4.2-inches
8-inch 3.54-3.60-inches 6.1-inches

Solid Iron Balls Used In Canister

Caliber designation

Allowable diameters in inches

Mean weight in pounds
6-pdr. Gun 1.14-1.17-inches .21
12-pdr. Mountain Howitzer .69 lead musket balls  
12-pdr. Field Howitzer 1.05-1.08-inches .16
12-pdr. Gun 1.46-1.49-inches .43
18-pdr. Gun 1.67-1.70-inches .64
24-pdr. Gun 1.84-1.87-inches .86
24-pdr. Howitzer 1.32-1.35-inches .32
32-pdr. Gun 2.02-2.06-inches 1.14
32-pdr. Howitzer 1.46-1.49-inches .43
42-pdr. Gun 2.22-2.26-inches 1.5
8-inch Siege Howitzer 1.84-1.87-inches .86

Cannon Bore Diameters

Foreign and/or pre-1860 bore and projectile diameters will vary from this table

Caliber designation

Bore diameters

Projectile diameter
3-pdr. Gun 2.9-inch 2.84-inches
4-pdr. Gun 3.2-inch 3.12-inches
6-pdr. Gun 3.67-inch 3.58-inches
9-pdr. Gun 4.2-inch 4.10-inches
12-pdr. Gun 4.62-inch 4.52-inches
18-pdr. Gun 5.3-inch 5.17-inches
24-pdr. Gun 5.82-inch 5.68-inches
32-pdr. Gun 6.4-inch 6.25-inches
42-pdr. Gun 7-inch 6.84-inches

Summary of the Ammunition for Field and Mountain Service

 

 Smooth-bore gun Howitzer Rifle-guns Hotchkiss
12-pounder, bronze 12-pounder Mountain Howitzer

3-inch iron 3.5-inch iron Revolving cannon
Shell Case Shot Canister Shell Case Canister Shell Case Canister Shell Case Canister Shell Canister
Charge of powder in pounds 2 2.5 2.5 2 .5 .5 .5 1 1 1 2.25 2.25 2.25 1,850 grains 1,850 grains
Height of charge in inches 3.75 4.75 4.75 3.75 2.25 2.25 2.25 5.75 5.75 5.75 7 7 7 3.5 3.5
Cartridge-bag. Length in inches 14.2 14.2 14.2 14.2 10.42 10.42 10.42 9 9 9 11 11 11 4.724  4.724
Width in inches 10 10 10 10 5 5 5 8.75 8.75 8.75 9.5 9.5 9.5 ….. …..
Diameter of bottom in inches 5.25 5.25 5.25 5.25 4 4 4 3.75 3.75 3.75 4.5 4.5 4.5 1.641 1.641
Whole height in inches 2.125 2.125 2.125 2.285 2.785 2.785 3.781 ….. ….. ….. ….. ….. 5 ….. …...
Height of cylinder in inches ….. …… ….. .575 2 2 2.55 ….. ….. ….. ….. ….. ….. ….. …..
Diameter of cylinder in inches 4.45 4.45 4.45 4.45 4.4 4.4 4.4 ….. ….. ….. ….. ….. ….. ….. …..
Diameter of top of cone in inches ….. ….. ….. ….. 4.17 4.17 4.45 ….. ….. ….. ….. ….. ….. ….. …..
Diameter of bottom of cone in inches ….. ….. ….. ….. 3.175 3.175 3.23 ….. ….. ….. ….. ….. ….. ….. …..
Strap. Length in inches 7 7 13 ….. 7 7 7 ….. ….. ….. ….. ….. ….. ….. …..
Width in inches .5 .5 .5 ….. .5 .5 .5 ….. ….. ….. ….. ….. ….. ….. …..
Rings, diameter, exterior in inches 3.25 3.25 ….. ….. 3.25 3.25 3.25 ….. ….. ….. ….. ….. ….. ….. …..
Weight of sabot in ounces 4.5 4.5 4.5 7.5 5.5 5.5 9.5 ….. ….. ….. ….. ….. ….. ….. …..
Weight of projectiles, strapped in pounds 8.8 11.25 12.1 14.2 9.35 12.2 11.2 8.12 9.13 ….. ….. ….. ….. ….. …..
Canister. Length in inches ….. ….. ….. 14.35 ….. ….. 14.4 ….. ….. 8 ….. ….. 11 ….. …..
Height in inches ….. ….. ….. 6.66 ….. ….. 4 ….. ….. 7 ….. ….. 8.5 ….. …..
Interior diameter in inches ….. ….. ….. 4.45 ….. ….. 4.47 ….. ….. 2.8 ….. ….. 3.2 ….. …..
Diameter of plates in inches ….. ….. ….. 4.38 ….. ….. 4.42 ….. ….. 2.8 ….. ….. 3.2 ….. …..
Thickness of top plate in inches ….. ….. ….. .116 ….. ….. .1 ….. ….. .125 ….. ….. .125 ….. …..
Thickness of bottom plate in inches ….. ….. ….. .125 ….. ….. .125 ….. ….. .125 ….. ….. .125 ….. …..
Number of shot ….. ….. ….. 27 ….. ….. 148 ….. ….. 154 ….. ….. ...... ….. …..
Weight in pounds ….. ….. ….. 14.2 ….. ….. 14.2 ….. ….. 10.75 ….. ….. 17 ….. …..
Fixed Ammunition. Whole length in inches 9.5 10.3 10.7 12.12 8.17 8.17 9.4 ….. ….. ….. ….. ….. ….. 8.15 8.15
Weight in pounds 11 13 15.3 16.44 9.9 12.6 11.8 ….. ….. ….. ….. ….. ….. 1 lb.

10 ½ oz

 1 lb.

9.4 oz
Packing box. Interior diameter. Length in inches 17.5 17.5 17.5 18.37 27.5 27.5 27.5 16.5 16.5 16.5 11 11 11 ….. …..
Width in inches 9.75 9.62 10.5 12.5 9.25 9.25 9.25 12.5 12.5 12.5 11 11 11 ….. …..
Height in inches 9.25 9.25 9.5 9.5 8.5 8.5 9.5 8 8 7.5 9 9 8 ….. …..
Weight, packed in pounds 106 122 140 156.5 154 184 175 161 184 175 160 180 198 ….. …..
Number of rounds 8 8 8 8 12 12 12 12 12 12 9 9 9 ….. …..
Number of primers 10 10 10 10 18 18 18 18 18 18 14 14 14 ….. …..
Color painted black red olive drab black red drab black red drab black red drab ….. …..