OSRS How Many Cannonballs for 99 Range

In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), reaching level 99 Ranged is a coveted milestone for many players, whether you’re a pure, an Ironman, or just aiming to max out your account. One of the most popular methods to train Ranged, especially for those looking to minimize Hitpoints experience or speed up Slayer tasks, is using the Dwarf Multicannon. But a burning question remains: how many cannonballs do you need to hit 99 Ranged? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down the cannonball requirements, training methods, cost estimates, and tips to optimize your journey to 99 Ranged, all while keeping it SEO-friendly for OSRS enthusiasts.

The Dwarf Multicannon is a unique Ranged weapon unlocked after completing the Dwarf Cannon quest. It acts as a deployable turret, firing cannonballs at enemies within its range. It’s a favorite for Ranged training due to its high damage output at low levels and its ability to deal damage without granting Hitpoints experience, making it ideal for pures.

Why Use a Cannon for Ranged Training?

• No Hitpoints XP: Perfect for pures maintaining low Hitpoints (e.g., 10 HP accounts).
• High Damage Output: The cannon’s max hit is 30 (35 with granite cannonballs), regardless of your Ranged level.
• Multi-Combat Efficiency: Excels in areas with multiple enemies, like ogres or lizardman shamans.
• Slayer Synergy: Speeds up Slayer tasks, indirectly boosting Ranged XP.

Cannon Mechanics and Experience

The cannon yields 2 Ranged XP per point of damage dealt, compared to the standard 4 XP for direct Ranged attacks. This reduced XP rate means you’ll need to deal significant damage to reach 99 Ranged. The cannon’s accuracy depends on your highest attack bonus (Ranged or Melee), so wearing gear like a Godsword or Armadyl crossbow can improve its performance.

Calculating Cannonballs for 99 Ranged

To estimate the number of cannonballs needed, we need to consider the experience required, average damage per cannonball, and real-world factors like misses and overkill damage.

Experience Needed for 99 Ranged

Reaching level 99 Ranged requires 13,034,431 XP. If you’re starting from level 1, this is the total XP needed. For partial ranges (e.g., 70–99), you can calculate the difference:

Level Range	Experience Needed
1–99	13,034,431
70–99	12,960,804
80–99	11,258,655
90–99	7,888,655

Average Damage and XP per Cannonball

The cannon’s max hit is 30, but actual damage varies due to enemy defenses, accuracy, and overkill. Estimates from community discussions suggest an average of 10–15 damage per cannonball, translating to 20–30 Ranged XP per cannonball. For conservative calculations, we’ll assume 12 damage (24 XP) per cannonball, factoring in misses and inefficiencies.

Calculation Example (1–99):

• Total XP needed: 13,034,431
• XP per cannonball: 24 (assuming 12 damage)
• Cannonballs required: 13,034,431 ÷ 24 ≈ 543,101 cannonballs

Adjusting for real-world inefficiencies (e.g., 10–12 damage), estimates range from 300,000 to 600,000 cannonballs for 1–99 Ranged, with 400,000 being a reasonable average.

Best Locations for Cannon Training

Choosing the right spot can maximize XP rates and reduce costs. Here are some top locations for cannoning to 99 Ranged.

Ogres East of Castle Wars

A classic spot with no quest requirements, ogres offer decent XP (around 40,000 XP/hour) and are ideal for low-level pures. The area can be crowded, so consider quieter worlds.

Lizardman Shamans

Shamans are great for higher-level players, offering valuable drops like the Dragon Warhammer to offset cannonball costs. Safe spots exist, and XP rates can reach 50,000/hour with good gear.

Dagannoth in Lighthouse

Perfect for Slayer or multi-combat training, dagannoth provide high XP rates (up to 60,000/hour) and noted drops that can make cannoning profitable. Requires partial completion of Horror from the Deep.

Other Viable Spots

• Kalphite in Taverley Dungeon: Good for Slayer tasks with decent drops.
• Fire Giants in Waterfall Dungeon: Moderate XP and loot, requires Waterfall Quest.

Cost of Cannonballs and Money-Saving Tips

Cannonballs are expensive, so understanding costs and ways to mitigate them is crucial.

Current Cannonball Prices

As of May 2025, cannonballs cost around 200–250 GP each on the Grand Exchange. For 400,000 cannonballs, expect to spend 80–100 million GP. Granite cannonballs (higher max hit of 35) are pricier and less cost-effective for most players.

Making Your Own Cannonballs

Smithing cannonballs is a profitable but slow method. One steel bar (547 GP) produces four cannonballs (948 GP total), yielding a profit of ~401 GP per bar. With the double ammo mould (unlocked via Sleeping Giants), you can produce 4,320–4,800 cannonballs/hour, earning 433,080–481,200 GP/hour.

Pros of Smithing:

• Profit instead of loss.
• Smithing XP (25.6 per bar).

Cons:

• Time-intensive (160 seconds per inventory).
• Requires 35 Smithing and quest completion.

Loot to Offset Costs

Choose monsters with valuable drops (e.g., dagannoth or shamans) to recoup costs. Noted bones, herbs, and rare drops can turn cannoning into a break-even or profitable venture.

Tips for Efficient Cannon Training

Maximize your XP and minimize costs with these strategies.

Optimize Cannon Accuracy

Wear gear with the highest attack bonus, regardless of style. For example, a Godsword’s +132 slash bonus or Masori armor’s Ranged bonuses improve cannon accuracy. Use prayers like Rigour for a further boost.

Combine with Slayer

Use the cannon on Slayer tasks to gain Ranged and Slayer XP simultaneously. Expect 2–4 million Ranged XP from 99 Slayer, reducing the cannonballs needed for Ranged.

AFK Training Considerations

Cannoning is semi-AFK, but you’ll need to reload the cannon (30 cannonballs max, or 60 with Combat Achievements) and repair it every 25 minutes. Plan your sessions to minimize downtime.

Alternative Methods at Higher Levels

At level 45, consider switching to chinchompas (grey, red, or black) for faster XP rates (up to 1M XP/hour). Cannon to 45 (around 2,000 cannonballs), then chin to 99, to save on costs.

Combat Achievements for Efficiency

Complete elite-tier Combat Achievements to increase cannon capacity to 60 cannonballs, halving reload frequency and boosting XP/hour.

Conclusion

Reaching 99 Ranged in OSRS using a cannon is a viable but costly method, requiring approximately 300,000–600,000 cannonballs (400,000 average) for 1–99, costing 80–100 million GP. By choosing the right locations (ogres, shamans, or dagannoth), optimizing gear, and leveraging Slayer or loot, you can make the journey efficient and potentially profitable. For pures or those avoiding Hitpoints XP, the cannon is unmatched, but consider switching to chinchompas at higher levels for speed. Start your cannoning adventure today, and let those cannonballs fly!