Author Topic: I want to see one of these live, in person (Read 999 times)

Black Jaque Janaviac · « **on:** April 22, 2004, 05:25:19 AM »

I've looked around and decided that artillery won't fit in my pocketbook. Not only too much to obtain, but the powder doses get a bit spendy.

This is one of those neat hobbies that I'm glad other people enjoy. I should hopefully be able to still benefit from it.

Is there any good live cannon competitions in the Wisconsin area?

I wanna see a cannon attack a 55 gallon drum too, where can I go to see that?

JeffG · « **Reply #1 on:** April 22, 2004, 01:31:44 PM »

The Paulson Brothers, of Clear Lake Ordnance, shoot on Camp Mc Coy, I think annually. I Don't know if it's open to the public. They have some MASSIVE pieces!
http://www.pbocorp.biz/

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #2 on:** April 22, 2004, 02:23:53 PM »

BJJ -

FORT McCoy is 82 miles (two hours from you) (near Tomah).

I don't know much about Paulson Brothers, but I've seen pictures of the 13" seacoast mortar (Dictator is one of) firing - which I recognize is on Range 10 of Fort McCoy from the picture. (It may even have been from their website).

Mortars and cannon are as addictive as anything else I've fired. Not a lot of rounds down range but LOTS of fun and excitement. Cheap to shoot too. You can spend an hour at the range and launch 6 to 8 rounds burning up a whole pound of powder. That's almost the entire cost. Less than a foot of fuse and maybe a sack of concrete mix (or sand) to fill the projectiles. The best part is when EVERYONE at the range sets down their shootin' irons (even the class III stuff) and come and see what YOU'RE firing that envelopes everyone in smoke and sends shock waves through to your very soul and back.

Agree with you; you just HAVE to see these up front and personal!

Calamity Jane · « **Reply #3 on:** April 23, 2004, 03:10:27 PM »

Ya don't haffta shoot sommit BIG to have fun. Me 1/3 scale 6 pounder fits easily in the back of a pick-em-up (and thru doorways!) 'n' I get 16 rounds to a pound of powder 'n' 5 balls to a pound of lead (wheelweights), so that costs me about $1.10 a shot. A good day's shootin might be 10 rounds, $11.00 - I burn up that much in primers 'n' boolits with me .38 special in an hour :shock:

But thar's sommit extrie special about listenin to the BOOM echoe back 'n' forth among the trees :mrgreen:

Double D · « **Reply #4 on:** April 23, 2004, 03:34:57 PM »

What Calamity leaves unsaid is there is something extra special about hearing the echo of the boom back and forth among the trees...from the Gun you built. She built hers right here on the Graybeards. and it's a dandy!

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #5 on:** April 23, 2004, 03:51:54 PM »

Let me ECHO that sentiment. I built my first (beercan caliber) in 1975 (fired it on the 200th annaversary of Patriots day not too far down the road from Lexington-Concord too). Took 25 years to get around to do the second. My 24th was the hand-held golf-ball caliber mortar. It just gets better!