Mortar Videos

[Jeff B.]

Just tried out my Coehorn mortar for the first time this weekend. I've owned it since last July but never got around to fooling with it until this weekend.

It's a Hern Ironworks piece with a 2.25" bore diameter. It's the same mortar sold by Dixie Gunworks.

I don't have a base made up for it yet so I had to improvise  :oops: . I dug a hole and braced the piece with 2x4's in the front and back. Worked like a charm - for the time being anyways.

The first video is firing a 2lb lead ball with (4) .308 Win. cases full of Goex Fg. I don't know the exact charge weight but incrimental casefulls yielded approximately 25 yds. of distance per case. The ball in this video landed about 100 yds. away from the firing point.

http://www.angelfire.com/extreme4/big_guns/Mortar_light_charge.mpg

The second video is of (6) casefulls and the ball cleared the backstop and landed in the forest behind the berm. It was safe to do so as we knew nobody was in the impact area.

http://www.angelfire.com/extreme4/big_guns/Mortar_heavier_charge.mpg


The third video is a little pyro concoction that I blended up  :twisted:  using Fg and napthalene crystals (moth balls). The flame was impressive, too bad the video wasn't at night for best effects.

http://www.angelfire.com/extreme4/big_guns/Mortar_with_pyro.mpg

[Cat Whisperer]

Jeff -
  COOL shots (pun intended).  What was your time-of-flight?  How deep do the rounds bury themselves?  AND, could you post a pix of your mould?

Thanks,
Tim K.

[Jeff B.]

Hi Tim,

Time in flight was approximately 3 seconds. The ground was soft after several days of rain and the balls penetrated roughly 4"-5" into the soil.

I posted a pic of the mould previously in the following thread: http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=5689

For sure, it was a lot of fun for my first time out. I plan to go out this weekend depending upon the weather and if anything else pops up to keep me from going. I may have more videos at that time.

I'm currently trying to locate an old car for target practice. A 2lb lead ball falling from the sky should do the trick. Cannon fire should be interesting as well. I'll keep you posted.