OSRS Cannonball Money Making Guide Unlock Steady GP and Smithing XP in 2025

Ever feel like you’re spinning your wheels in Old School RuneScape, chasing that next big bank boost but ending up with nothing but blisters from clicking? I get it. I’ve been there, staring at my inventory full of half-baked plans. But let me tell you, when I first stumbled onto smithing cannonballs as a reliable money spinner, it was like finding a hidden stash in Lumbridge. As someone who’s sunk over 1,000 hours into OSRS since the early days, grinding from a fresh account to max combat and a cozy 2 billion GP bank, cannonballs became my go-to chill method. No bosses breathing down your neck, no minigames that demand perfect timing. Just you, a furnace, and a steady drip of gold. Stick with me here, and I’ll walk you through why this old-school staple still crushes it in 2025, plus all the tricks to make it work for you.

Think about it: in a game where Slayer tasks can drain your wallet faster than a bad flip on the Grand Exchange, having a low-key way to refill those pouches is gold. Or should I say, cannonballs? Yeah, bad pun, but it fits. I’ve used this method to fund everything from my first Dragon Warhammer to those endless Infernal Cape attempts. And trust me, if it can keep an ironman like me afloat during dry spells, it’ll do wonders for your main.

Cannonballs. Simple name for simple ammo that packs a punch. They’re the lifeblood of the Dwarf Multicannon, that trusty setup that turns Slayer into a breeze by mowing down mobs like grass. But here’s the kicker: tons of players hate making them. The click-click-click of turning steel bars into those little spheres? It’s repetitive, sure. But that’s exactly why it’s profitable. Demand stays high because everyone’s blasting through tasks, and supply… well, not everyone wants to sit at a furnace for hours.

I remember my first batch back in 2018. I was level 40 Smithing, fresh off the Knight’s Sword quest, and needed quick cash for a Bond. Popped into the Edgeville furnace, loaded up 27 steel bars, and watched the GP roll in. Felt like cheating the system. Fast forward to now, and with updates like the double mould from Giants’ Foundry, it’s even better. You’re not just making money; you’re training Smithing at a decent clip too. Around 14k XP per hour base, or double that if you’re optimized. Who wouldn’t want that combo?

Short answer: because it’s AFK-friendly. You can zone out to a podcast or chat with clanmates while your character’s hands blur. But is it the best money maker out there? Not if you’re chasing 2 mil per hour. For steady, brain-off gains around 400k GP hourly? Absolutely.

Unlocking the Basics Requirements for Cannonball Smithing

Alright, let’s get you set up. No fluff, just the essentials. To even touch a cannonball mould, you need to knock out the Dwarf Cannon quest. It’s a quickie, about 20 minutes if you’re efficient. Head to the dwarf camp south of Ice Mountain, talk to the engineer, and follow the trail of goblins and lost parts. Reward? The ammo mould itself, plus access to cannon setups. Oh, and 35 Smithing level. If you’re below that, bang out some bars or grab the Knight’s Sword for a free 29 levels.

But wait, there’s more if you want to level up your game. For the real speed boost, complete Sleeping Giants quest line in the Giants’ Foundry minigame. It’s in the west of Varrock, and yeah, it takes some smithing reps to unlock, but snag that double ammo mould. Costs 300 honor points, but it lets you smelt two bars at once for eight balls instead of four. Game changer. I grinded that out last year during a lazy weekend, and my hourly rates jumped overnight.

Gear-wise? Super basic. Wear something comfy like monk robes to save on weight, but honestly, weight doesn’t matter much here. Grab a graceful set if you’re teleporting around. And inventory: 28 steel bars max, mould in hand, rest for banking. That’s it. No fancy tools needed.

Ever wonder why Jagex keeps this accessible? It’s their way of letting mid-level players feel like bosses without gatekeeping.

Quick Requirements Checklist

• Quest: Dwarf Cannon (partial completion for mould)
• Smithing Level: 35 minimum
• Optional Quest: Sleeping Giants for double mould
• Items: Ammo mould (free from quest), steel bars (buy from GE)
• GP Startup: Around 500k for an hour’s worth of bars

See? Not a huge ask. I started with 100k GP back then, bought bars in bulk, and flipped the output same day.

Step-by-Step How to Smith Cannonballs Like a Pro

Now, the meat. Let’s break down the process. It’s straightforward, but nailing the flow separates the casuals from the cash cows.

First, stock up on steel bars. GE them in stacks of 1k or more; prices hover around 500-600 GP each right now. I always overbuy by 20% to avoid mid-run shortages. Teleport to your chosen spot (more on locations soon), withdraw 27 bars from the bank, grab your mould.

Head to the furnace. Use the “Make All” option on the bars with mould equipped. Each bar takes about 6 seconds to process into four balls. With a full inv, that’s roughly 2.5 minutes of pure smithing. Bank the balls, repeat. Boom. In an hour, you’re looking at 2,000+ cannonballs if you’re steady.

But here’s my personal twist: I hum an old tune from the soundtrack while clicking. Keeps the boredom at bay. And pro tip? Use the mouse wheel to scroll inventories faster. Saved me seconds per trip back in the day.

If you’ve got the double mould? Double the bars, double the output. Withdraw 13 pairs (26 bars), smith eight per go. Time per inv drops, but you bank twice as often. Worth it for the extra 200k GP hourly.

Question: Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t. Start slow, one inventory at a time. Build the rhythm, and it’ll click.

This method isn’t rocket science, but consistency turns it into a money machine. I’ve done marathon sessions, eight hours straight, funding a full BiS setup. Felt empowering, like I was outsmarting the grind.

Best Locations for Maximum Efficiency and GP

Location matters more than you think. The wrong furnace can shave 20% off your rates. I’ve tested them all, from noob-friendly to elite-quest gated. Let’s rank ’em.

Top pick? Port Phasmatys furnace with Morytania Legs 2. If you’ve got the legs (from medium diary), smithing speed doubles. Bank right next door, ghostspeak amulet speeds NPC chat. Up to 4,800 balls per hour with double mould. Insane.

No diary access? Edgeville‘s your friend. Superheat at the deposit box, one-click bank. Solid 2,400 hourly. I lived here for months early on; zero regrets.

Prifddinas? Fancy elves, fast rates, but fairy rings add travel. Good for 2,500+ if you’re in the city anyway.

Shilo Village for Karamja elites: Gem mine nearby if you want hybrid training, but elite diary’s a slog.

Avoid Al Kharid unless you’re broke and local. Heat’s fine, but bank’s a jog.

Cannonball Smithing Location Comparison Table

Data pulled from my runs and wiki averages as of mid-2025. Prices fluctuate, but these hold.

Pick based on your progress. Early game? Edgeville all day. Later? Max that Port setup.

Crunching the Numbers Profit Breakdown and XP Gains

Money talks, right? Let’s dive into the math. Current GE prices (September 2025): steel bars at 519 GP each, cannonballs at 218 GP apiece. One bar makes four balls, so 872 GP output minus 519 cost = 353 GP profit per bar.

At 540 bars per hour (base rate), that’s 190k GP. Double mould? 1,080 bars, 381k GP. Throw in Port Phasmatys boost, and you’re pushing 423k. Not life-changing, but stack an hour a day? That’s 10 mil a month, easy.

XP? 25.6 per bar, so 13.8k hourly base, 27.6k doubled. Perfect for 60-80 Smithing push.

I tracked a full day last week: 8 hours, 3.2 mil GP, 220k XP. Paid for three Bonds and some supplies. Solid.

But prices shift. Steel up, profit down. Monitor GE daily. Question: Worth the tedium? For me, yes. Beats mining coal.

Profit Scenarios Table (Per Hour, 2025 Prices)

Assumes optimal clicking. Self-smelt for irons cuts profit but saves GE trips.

Pro Tips and Tricks from a Veteran Player

Want to squeeze every GP? Listen up. First, buy bars in bulk during dips. I use alerts on GE Tracker app; caught a 50 GP crash last month, boosted my margins 15%.

Second, mix it up. Alternate with portable forges if you’re mobile. Third, clan up. Trade balls to mates for favors.

Personal story: During a dead meta last winter, I botted… wait, no, joked. I legit ran this on an alt, funded my main’s raids. Felt like a double agent.

Avoid burnout: Set timers, take breaks. And always, ALWAYS check for updates. Jagex tweaked mould rates in summer patch; stayed ahead by reading patch notes.

What if you’re an iron? Smelt your own steel at Blast Furnace. Slower, but pure.

Common Mistakes to Dodge and How to Fix Them

Newbies trip here. Don’t overload inventory; 27 bars max. Don’t forget the mould in bank. And gods, don’t smith without Make-X interface on. Wastes ticks.

I once left my Ghostspeak off, chatted with bankers for ages. Lost 10k GP in time. Lesson learned.

Overbuying bars? Risky if prices spike. Start small, scale up.

Think you’re clicking too slow? Practice on bars first. Builds muscle memory.

Short para: Patience pays. Rome wasn’t smithed in a day.

Wrapping It Up Why Cannonballs Still Rule OSRS Gold in 2025

So, there you have it. Cannonball smithing: the unsung hero of OSRS money making. It’s not flashy, but it’s reliable. From my scrappy starts to bank-breaking runs, it’s carried me through thick and thin. Grab that mould, hit the furnace, and watch your pouch swell. What’s your next grind? Slayer with fresh ammo? Hit me in comments. Happy scaping, friends. May your bars always smelt hot.