What caliber is a potato?

Answer 1

Well, when it comes to Potato Launchers (aka: Potato Guns, Potato Cannon, etc...), the diameter, or caliber of the spud is not critical, for the following reason.

Most Potato Launchers use the tube, or barrel, to cut the potato to the proper size. This is done by getting a potato that is TOO LARGE to fit the barrel. Then, the barrel is forced down on the potato, or vice versa. This cuts off the excess potato--leaving a spud-plug of the proper diameter--whatever it may be.

Regardless of whether one chooses a 1 inch, 1.25 inch, 1.5 inch, 2 inch or larger launch tube, the potato is "sized" appropriately.

A stick is then used as a ram rod to push the potato-plug further down the tube towards the breech.

This is ONE reason why people use a potato: its soft enough to custom-fit any tube, and firm enough not to fall apart.