String Loading BB

[smokemjoe]

I drilled a hole in the bowling ball with a spade drill, Goes fast, Fitted a over size wooden dowel in it, drilled a 3/8 cross hole, cut it off, You can pick up yourself, load, pull out string and ball is centered. Hope the pics. come in. Joe
  sorry about the tomator pic.

[RocklockI]

I think maybe aluminum or steel just because the wooden plug might not last two shots
 
It is a good idea , I watched Ernie and crew loading the Free om  mortar and each time I couldnt help but thinking "What if it goes off when someone is up their arm pit in the mortar"?Kinda a stupid question ,it just looked .....kinda odd ...... NO, not Ernie the loading thing!
 
I would almost say do it like they do now ,drop it in and clear out . You could even have a door stop type wedge on a string so you could stand back ,put the sting the wedge moves from between the ball and one little edge of muzzle and down she goes ?
 
It does look like a good idea .
 
 
Gary

[GGaskill]

My concern with the protruding plug is that the ball could rotate and the plug jam or otherwise retard the exit of the ball, which would not be good.

[Double D]

I think maybe aluminum or steel just because the wooden plug might not last two shots
 
It is a good idea , I watched Ernie and crew loading the Free om  mortar and each time I couldnt help but thinking "What if it goes off when someone is up their arm pit in the mortar"?Kinda a stupid question ,it just looked .....kinda odd ...... NO, not Ernie the loading thing!
 
I would almost say do it like they do now ,drop it in and clear out . You could even have a door stop type wedge on a string so you could stand back ,put the sting the wedge moves from between the ball and one little edge of muzzle and down she goes ?
 
It does look like a good idea .
 
 
Gary

What is the point?

Are you guys even listening to Artilleryman in his mortar safety post...are you paying attention...the issue of fanning a spark while rolling a ball in is mitigated by the accessibility of the mortar chamber to visual inspection to assure no smouldering  embers remain in bore before loading the powder. 

Shell tongs were used so two men could load the heavy shells.

Neither  Norm nor I are saying ignore safety, but the  condition you are trying protect against just hasn't  been a factor in mortar shooting. 

You guys need to make a visit fort Shenandoah during the nationals and watch the professional mortar teams at work.  After the shot you will see one member of the team with his arm up to his shoulder down in the mortar washing the bore out.  He will be wear full welder leather and gauntlet gloves.

I bet you will wiggle all over when you see the powder man reach down inside the mortar and pour the loose powder in the chamber. The the loader will step back and roll the ball in the bore with one hand for the 24 Pounders.

You guys are right to be concerned about safety, shows you are thinking. 

[gulfcoastblackpowder]

I don't recommend putting that tomato in your mortar.  It wouldn't be pretty. 

[RocklockI]

I think maybe aluminum or steel just because the wooden plug might not last two shots
 
It is a good idea , I watched Ernie and crew loading the Free om  mortar and each time I couldnt help but thinking "What if it goes off when someone is up their arm pit in the mortar"?Kinda a stupid question ,it just looked .....kinda odd ...... NO, not Ernie the loading thing!
 
I would almost say do it like they do now ,drop it in and clear out . You could even have a door stop type wedge on a string so you could stand back ,put the sting the wedge moves from between the ball and one little edge of muzzle and down she goes ?
 
It does look like a good idea .
 
 
Gary

What is the point?

Are you guys even listening to Artilleryman in his mortar safety post...are you paying attention...the issue of fanning a spark while rolling a ball in is mitigated by the accessibility of the mortar chamber to visual inspection to assure no smouldering  embers remain in bore before loading the powder. 

Shell tongs were used so two men could load the heavy shells.

Neither  Norm nor I are saying ignore safety, but the  condition you are trying protect against just hasn't  been a factor in mortar shooting. 

You guys need to make a visit fort Shenandoah during the nationals and watch the professional mortar teams at work.  After the shot you will see one member of the team with his arm up to his shoulder down in the mortar washing the bore out.  He will be wear full welder leather and gauntlet gloves.

I bet you will wiggle all over when you see the powder man reach down inside the mortar and pour the loose powder in the chamber. The the loader will step back and roll the ball in the bore with one hand for the 24 Pounders.
You guys are right to be concerned about safety, shows you are thinking.

Jezz Douglas I didn't realize my mistake . No honestly I wasn't paying attention I was responding to an idea that was suggestion by another poster.Now I need go to Fort Shenandoah ? Crikey I just got back from Mt.
 
The the loader will step back and roll the ball in the bore with one hand for the 24 Pounders.
Thats a great IDEA ! Mostly because I suggested it in my rosponse of above.
I would almost say do it like they do now ,drop it in and clear out...
 
As for wiggling all over for something a man does ........not likley
 
Douglas ,Have you done all your homework yet?   
Gary

[GGaskill]

Yeah, speaking of homework, post your drawings as you progress through the class.

[dominick]

I watched a video a while back where the guy just dropped the ball in without placing his hand in front of the muzzle.  Thump.   

[Double D]

Yes get to Fort Shenandoah for the nationals and see how smoothly things operate under the safe conditions by experience mortar crews.  Besides there is nothing  like seeing and hearing 75-100 24 PDR and larger Mortars all going off at once.

The loader isn't stepping back from the mortar to load, he is stepping back in to load the mortar ball.

Safety is important and we  should practice it.  But we don't need solutions to problems that don't exist.  We need to remain focused on the real problems and not be distracted by non issues.

All the homework is done on the University main frame and directly submitted to the Professor on line.   Right now we are learning the interface, menus, tools, coordinate systems, input types, etc  ...we have not  drawn a line yet.

I did make a my first webpage

[seacoastartillery]

     I think you fellows have this topic pretty well covered except for one small, but important detail.  Since most of us will never own an 8" or 10" Model 1861 or even a Bowling Ball Mortar, please remember this word from the old Infantryman who has 'hung' many rounds of 60mm and 81mm mortar rounds.

       When you release your golf ball, round ball or blind shell into your mortar, be damn sure you pull your hand down the tube away from the muzzle.  DO NOT pass your hand over the muzzle as you release the projectile!!

Very informative thread, enjoyed reading it.

Tracy

[Cat Whisperer]

Agree.
Bring the hand DOWN out of the muzzle blast area too!

With my 4.5" mortar I initally was using a board for a wedge to get the angle right.
Once, it extended past the muzzle.
The muzzle blast BROKE the board.

Bring the hand DOWN out of the muzzle blast area!

[Double D]

   

       When you release your golf ball, round ball or blind shell into your mortar, be damn sure you pull your hand down the tube away from the muzzle.  DO NOT pass your hand over the muzzle as you release the projectile!!


Tracy

Why?

[armorer77]

79 in Korea we shot a battery 2 over a river . A local slipped past the road guards with her laundry , we spent 2 hours finding all her stuff . Muzzle blast can be lethal . This was a 155mm battery . Ed

[Double D]

   

       When you release your golf ball, round ball or blind shell into your mortar, be damn sure you pull your hand down the tube away from the muzzle.  DO NOT pass your hand over the muzzle as you release the projectile!!


Tracy

Why?

Let me rephrase this a but different.  Yes basic safety rules say you should never point a firearm at anything you don't intent to shoot- don't stand in front of a muzzle.  But that is not what this discussion  is saying.

This discussion is saying the act of loading a ball in the muzzle of a muzzle loading artillery piece has more greater degree of danger. 

What is this increased danger that comes about from act putting the ball in the bore.