Maximizing Cannonballs XP Per Hour in OSRS – A Smith’s Real Guide

Ever wondered why so many OSRS vets swear by smithing cannonballs as their go-to for that steady grind? I’ve been knee-deep in the fires of Gielinor for over a decade now, and let me tell you, there’s something oddly satisfying about watching those steel bars morph into shiny little death dealers. As a guy who’s maxed his Smithing the old-fashioned way – no bots, just pure grind – I can vouch that cannonballs aren’t just about the gold. They’re a ticket to solid XP rates without breaking a sweat. In this post, we’re diving headfirst into everything you need to know about cannonballs XP per hour in OSRS. From the basics to pro tips that’ll have you hitting those milestones faster than a cannon blast.

Stick around, because I’ll share some of my wildest sessions, the spots that saved my sanity, and even a few math breakdowns to prove why this method still rules in 2025.

Picture this: You’re out in the wilderness, setting up your Dwarven multicannon, and those little iron spheres start flying. Cannonballs, my friend, are the ammo that turns your cannon from a fancy statue into a monster-slaying machine. But here’s the kicker – they’re not just for PvP chaos or Slayer tasks. Smithing them is one of the most reliable ways to level up your Smithing skill.

To get started, you need to partial-complete the Dwarf Cannon quest. That unlocks the ammo mould, and boom, you’re in business. Grab a steel bar, hit a furnace, and poof – four cannonballs per bar, plus 25.6 Smithing XP each time. Simple, right? Wrong if you’re new. I remember my first batch back in 2013. I was level 35 Smithing, fumbling around Varrock furnace like a noob, burning through bars because I forgot the mould. Lesson learned: Always double-check your inventory.

Why bother? Because in OSRS, cannonballs sell like hotcakes. Players need ’em for everything from bossing to AFK training. And for you? It’s passive income while you rack up XP. But let’s cut to the chase – how much XP are we talking per hour?

The Core of Cannonballs XP Per Hour

Alright, let’s talk numbers. Without any fancy upgrades, you can expect around 13,000 to 14,000 Smithing XP per hour smithing cannonballs. That comes from churning out about 2,160 cannonballs in a solid session. How? A full inventory of 27 steel bars gives you 108 cannonballs per trip to the furnace. With quick banking, you’re looking at 20 trips an hour tops.

But wait, there’s more. If you’ve got the double ammo mould from Sleeping Giants quest – and trust me, do that quest ASAP – things get wild. Now each action uses two bars for eight balls, doubling your output to 4,320 to 4,800 cannonballs per hour. That bumps your XP to a juicy 27,000 or so. I hit that milestone last year during a marathon session. Felt like a god.

Question for you: Ever tried calculating your own rate? Grab a timer next time you smith. Start with 100 bars and see how long it takes. For me, it was about 25 minutes for 400 balls early on. Now? Under 15 with practice.

Breaking Down the Math

Want to geek out? Let’s do a quick table on XP rates. I pulled these from my logs and wiki checks – nothing fancy, just real-world averages.

See that? The double mould isn’t just a flex; it’s a game-changer. Profit assumes current GE prices – steel bars around 500 GP, balls at 220 GP each. Fluctuates, but always green.

In my experience, the Prifddinas spot is unbeatable if you’re 70+ Agility. Tele there, bank, smith, repeat. One hour there netted me 28k XP last week. Felt epic after a long day at work.

Why Cannonballs Beat Other Smithing Methods

OSRS Smithing can feel like a slog – burying bars, darting to 99, or even superheating. Why cannonballs? It’s AFK-friendly. No clicking every five seconds like with platebodies. You load up, hit make-all, and zone out to some music. I once smithed 10k balls while binge-watching old quest cutscenes. Multitasking win.

Plus, the gold flow. At 14k XP/hour, you’re not just leveling; you’re funding your next Bond or that sweet Ava’s assembler. Compared to burying runes or smelting bronze? Laughable. Cannonballs give you purpose.

But is it the fastest? Nope. For pure XP, blast furnace edges it out at 300k+/hour with ice gloves. But that’s intense, risky, and costs a fortune upfront. Cannonballs? Low barrier, steady gains. Perfect for mid-level grinders like when I was pushing 60-70 Smithing.

Short answer: Yes, if you’re balancing fun and efficiency.

Gear and Requirements – Don’t Skip This

You can’t just waltz in blind. Minimum: 35 Smithing, Dwarf Cannon partial, ammo mould (buy from Nulodion for 500 GP). That’s your ticket.

For speed, grab these:

• Varrock Armour 2+: Halves toll to Edgeville furnace. Saves minutes per hour.
• Morytania Legs 2: Doubles speed at Port Phasmatys. I wore mine religiously for months.
• Double Ammo Mould: 500k GP reward from Giants’ Foundry mini-game. Worth every point.
• Portable Forge: From bosses or GE. Use one for 2x speed bursts.

Inventory setup? 27 steel bars, mould, rest teleports or noted bars if alching. I always pack a super energy potion – those runs add up.

Pro tip: If you’re ironman, stockpile coal and iron first. Smelt on-site to save trips. Took me weeks, but that self-sufficiency? Chef’s kiss.

Best Furnace Spots for Max XP

Location matters more than you think. Wrong spot, and you’re wasting half your hour banking. Here’s my ranked list, based on thousands of hours logged.

1. Prifddinas Furnace – The Elite Choice

If you’ve got Song of the Elves, this is paradise. Crystal teleport, elite outfit for 2.5x exp, and super close bank. 4,800 balls/hour easy with double mould. Downside? Quest wall is high. I finally got in at level 80 everything – worth the pain.

2. Port Phasmatys – Budget Beast

Ghosts Ahoy quest opens this gem. With legs 2, it’s double speed. Bank with Ghostspeak amulet for chat skips. I ground here for my first 1m profit run. Cozy, spooky vibes.

3. Edgeville Furnace – Classic Reliable

Varrock diary access. Super close to bank, no tele needed if you’re local. 2,200 balls/hour standard. Great starter spot. Remember my first noob session? Right here, spilling bars everywhere.

4. Lumbridge – Noob Friendly Backup

Zero quests, but longer runs. Use games necklace to academy bank. Fine for levels 35-50, then upgrade.

Pick based on your progress. What’s your current quest point total? That’ll dictate your playground.

Long story from my book: One rainy afternoon, I decided to test Falador furnace. Big mistake. Bank trek killed my rhythm – only 1,800 balls in two hours. Switched to Edgeville next day, doubled output. Learn from my dumb moves.

Pro Tips to Supercharge Your Sessions

Want to squeeze every drop of XP? I’ve got hacks from years of trial and error.

• Use Make-X Interface: Click once, let it rip. Saves carpal tunnel.
• Bank Presets: Load 27 bars + mould in one click. Game-changer.
• Music and Mindset: Blast the OSRS soundtrack. Turns grind into groove.
• Bulk Buying: GE steel bars in bulk for discounts. I aim for under 450 GP each.

List of common pitfalls to avoid:

• Forgetting the mould. (Done it twice – rage quit both times.)
• Ignoring energy. (Stamina pots = 10% more trips.)
• Smithing distracted. (One YouTube rabbit hole cost me 2k XP.)

And hey, track your progress. Apps like RuneLite’s XP tracker show real-time rates. Hit 15k/hour? You’re crushing it.

My Personal Cannonballs Saga – Tales from the Forge

Let me take you back. 2015, ironman account, level 40 Smithing. Needed cannonballs for Slayer, but making them? Tedious. I set up in Lumbridge, timer on, and hammered out 1,500 balls in my first hour. XP? Barely 9k. Felt slow, but that first sale – 50k GP – hooked me.

Fast forward to 2020. Maxed main, double mould in pocket. Prifddinas session: 29k XP, 400k profit. Used it to buy my first Tbow. Pure joy.

Last month, pushing alt to 99. Mixed it with portable forges during downtime. Hit 99 in 200 hours total, half from cannonballs. Was it boring? Sometimes. Rewarding? Absolutely.

Question: What’s your craziest grind story? Drop it in comments – I read ’em all.

One weird session: Cannoned slayer tasks while smithing on alt. Multitasking overload, but 20k combined XP? Worth the brain fry.

Cannonballs in the Bigger Picture – Slayer and Beyond

Cannonballs aren’t solo stars. Pair ’em with Slayer for insane multi-kills. Moss giants in Kourend? 75-95k Ranged XP/hour at level 52, cannon eating 2-3k balls. Drops cover costs, plus profit.

For bosses like Vorkath or raids, stock up. But smithing them yourself? Saves bonds.

In 2025 meta, with new updates like improved foundry rewards, cannonballs feel fresher. Equivalent to 50k+ Slayer XP/hour passively if you think cannon damage.

Short para: It’s versatile. That’s the magic.

Wrapping It Up – Fire Away

So, there you have it – the full scoop on cannonballs XP per hour in OSRS. From 14k basics to 30k+ with upgrades, it’s a method that grows with you. I’ve poured my heart into this grind, and it’s paid off in levels, gold, and stories.

Ready to light the forge? Grab those bars, quest up, and let’s see your rates. What’s stopping you from that next ding? Hit the comments, share your setups. Until next time, keep smithing strong.