OSRS Fastest Way to Make Cannonballs: Ultimate Guide for 2025

OSRS Fastest Way to Make Cannonballs: Ultimate Guide for 2025


In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), cannonballs are a vital resource for players looking to level up Ranged and Slayer skills quickly using the Dwarf Multicannon. However, making cannonballs can feel slow and tedious without the right approach. If you’re searching for the fastest way to make cannonballs in OSRS, you’ve come to the right place. This guide dives deep into the most efficient methods, tools, and locations to maximize your cannonball production in 2025. Whether you’re an Ironman or just looking to save time, we’ve got you covered with actionable tips to streamline the process.

Before you can start churning out cannonballs at top speed, you need to meet some basic requirements. These are straightforward, but they lay the foundation for everything else in this guide.

Quest and Skill Prerequisites

To make cannonballs, you must partially complete the Dwarf Cannon quest. This short quest unlocks the ammo mould, which is essential for smithing cannonballs. You don’t need to finish the entire quest—just progress far enough to get the mould. Additionally, you’ll need at least 35 Smithing to turn steel bars into cannonballs. For newer players, the Knight’s Sword quest can boost you from level 1 to 29 Smithing instantly, making it a great shortcut to reach the requirement faster.

Required Items

  • Ammo Mould: Obtained during the Dwarf Cannon quest.
  • Steel Bars: Each bar produces 4 cannonballs (or 8 with the double ammo mould).
  • Double Ammo Mould (optional but recommended): Unlocked via Giants’ Foundry.

Optimizing Cannonball Production Speed

How to get the hidden achievement of the Collapsed Star Dome Railway to

The key to making cannonballs quickly lies in reducing downtime and increasing output per action. Here’s how to optimize your setup for maximum efficiency.

Use the Double Ammo Mould

The double ammo mould, available after completing the Sleeping Giants quest and purchasing it from the Giants’ Foundry for 2,000 Foundry Reputation, is a game-changer. It doubles your production by turning two steel bars into 8 cannonballs per cycle instead of one bar into 4. This effectively cuts your smithing time in half and boosts your hourly output to around 4,320–4,800 cannonballs, depending on your location and banking speed.

Choose the Right Furnace Location

Location is critical for fast cannonball production. The closer the furnace is to a bank, the less time you spend running back and forth. Here are the top options:

Minimize Banking Time

To keep the process seamless, use teleports like the Amulet of Glory (for Edgeville) or a Skills Necklace (for Prifddinas) to zip back to the bank quickly. Stamina potions can also help maintain run energy, especially if you’re doing multiple trips without teleports.

Step-by-Step: Fastest Cannonball Smithing Method

Here’s the most efficient method to make cannonballs as fast as possible in OSRS, combining the best tools and locations.

Preparation

  1. Complete Dwarf Cannon to get the ammo mould.
  2. Finish Sleeping Giants and earn 2,000 Foundry Reputation to buy the double ammo mould.
  3. Stock up on steel bars (buy from the Grand Exchange or smelt your own if you’re an Ironman).
  4. Choose your furnace: Edgeville for accessibility, Port Phasmatys for speed with Morytania Legs 2.

Execution

  1. Teleport to your chosen location (e.g., Edgeville with an Amulet of Glory).
  2. Withdraw 27 steel bars (or 26 if using a toolbelted mould) from the bank.
  3. Run to the furnace and use a steel bar on it with the double ammo mould in your inventory.
  4. Select “Make All” to smith 8 cannonballs per cycle (6 seconds per pair of bars).
  5. Bank your cannonballs and repeat.

With the double ammo mould at Edgeville, a full inventory takes about 81 seconds to smith (13 bars × 6 seconds), plus banking time. At Port Phasmatys with Morytania Legs 2, it’s even faster—around 40 seconds per inventory—due to the doubled smithing speed.

Efficiency Breakdown: Rates and Profits

Let’s crunch the numbers to see how fast you can really go and whether it’s worth your time.

Cannonball Production Rates

Method Cannonballs per Hour Smithing XP per Hour
Single Mould (Edgeville) 2,160–2,400 13,824–15,360
Double Mould (Edgeville) 4,320–4,800 27,648–30,720
Double Mould (Port Phasmatys w/ Morytania Legs 2) 4,800–5,400 30,720–34,560

Note: Rates assume optimal banking and no interruptions.

Profit Potential

Smithing cannonballs can also be profitable. As of April 9, 2025, steel bars cost around 700–800 GP each, while cannonballs sell for 200–250 GP each. With the double mould:

  • Cost: 2 steel bars (1,400–1,600 GP) → 8 cannonballs.
  • Revenue: 8 cannonballs (1,600–2,000 GP).
  • Profit: 0–600 GP per cycle, or up to 400,000 GP per hour at peak efficiency.

For Ironmen, the savings from not buying cannonballs directly can be significant, especially for Slayer training.

Tips and Tricks for Even Faster Cannonballs

Want to push the limits of cannonball-making speed? These advanced tips can shave off precious seconds and boost your efficiency.

Use the Metal Bank

If you’ve got access to the metal bank (unlocked via the Smithing skill), deposit your steel bars there and smith directly from the furnace. This eliminates the need to withdraw bars manually, saving time per trip.

Camera Angles and Click Efficiency

Adjust your camera angle so the furnace and bank are both visible on-screen. This reduces misclicks and lets you move between them faster. Left-clicking the red “Make All” text above the steel bar icon (instead of right-clicking) also speeds up the process slightly.

AFK vs. Active Play

Cannonball smithing is naturally AFK-friendly—a full inventory takes over a minute to process. If you’re multitasking, stick to the single mould for less banking. For active play, the double mould with Port Phasmatys is unbeatable.

Ironman Considerations

For Ironmen, smelting your own steel bars (1 iron ore + 2 coal) is an option, but it’s slow unless you use the Blast Furnace with a coal bag. Most Ironmen prefer buying bars from NPC shops or gathering resources over time to fuel this method.

Conclusion: Master the Art of Cannonball Smithing

Making cannonballs in OSRS doesn’t have to be a grind. By using the double ammo mould, picking a furnace like Port Phasmatys or Edgeville, and optimizing your banking, you can produce up to 5,400 cannonballs per hour in 2025. Whether you’re training Smithing, prepping for Slayer, or just looking to profit, this method delivers speed and efficiency. Start with the Dwarf Cannon quest, grab your mould, and get smithing—your cannon will thank you!

Have a faster method or a pro tip to share? Drop it in the comments below, and let’s keep the OSRS community thriving!