LARGE Bore cannon/mortar web site

[Blaster]

Found a web site of a chap who makes LARGE bore stuff.  I'm really interested in the Bowling Ball Mortar that he makes but I'm wondering just how a guy would move something like this around by himself from home to shooting location and then on to the firing line.  The weight of this mortar is about 700 lbs and for one person to move around, that is not exactly a light weight.
That web site is: www.bigshotsofidaho.com
With my computer, it is really slow to load up but worth the wait.  I told the site owner that there may be something wrong with the site as I can't seem to get into the "products", "about us" etc.  Perhaps someone here on the forum will have much better luck.  Let me know, please... :grin:

Edited by Blaster 2/09/05to adjust the subject line in original post.

[Blaster]

In my post above listing a web site showing some large bore cannon/mortars, I do not mean to imply that I recommend or endorse these items or that anyone should purchase any of the items listed or photographed.  I am aware of the "Stokes" type mortar being thought of as being rather legally questionable/frowned upon etc.  Just wanted to have the picture of the bowling ball mortar checked out and get suggestions on how to move such a 700 lb mortar around by ones self.  I certainly don't want to "step on any toes"or upset anyone.   :oops:

[Cat Whisperer]

Blaster -

It's a cool site, and thanks for your sensitivity to the issues of both the law and the level of politeness.

It loads very slowly for me too (56k) at home, fairly quickly at work.  Products worked in neither place.

[Blaster]

C.W. Thanks for confirming that the web site in question is S  L  O  W  to load up or download, which ever!  Also that it is incomplete for you too.   Your kind help is appreciated Tim...... Blaster

[Double D]

They are on the resource list and have been for some time.

The Stokes style mortar they sell, listed as a Swiss Chemical mortar may not be Illegal.  It most likely is a legal Class III destructive device. Big Shots does say they make props for the Movie industry.

We have taken the position here this board that we are going deal only with exempt weapons-Antique Replicas.  We don't want this to become a destructive device Class III weapons board.  

We do a great deal if discussion here about building your own cannon.  It is too easy for someone to see a class III weapon posted here and get  the impression we endorse the construction, then go out and build one without understanding that it requires a permit from ATF do so.  A permit by the way that ATF won't normally issue to an individual.

I am unaware of any one being prosecuted solely for having a can shooting Stokes style mortar.  I am aware of criminals who have been arrested for other things...a meth lab raid for one...who have had these Stokes mortars, who have been charged with possessing a destructive device along with their other charges.

We don't want this board to become a mine for ATF enforcement action. I don't realy see ATF doing this, they have there hands full as it is.  But if some one complained to them they would be obligated to look.

We don't want to spend our time inserting a warning after every post on homemade cannons that it may be a class III weapon. So to make things simple we limit the board discussion to Antique replicas.

[Will Bison]

I'm here to tell ya, at my usual 23k I never did get the site to load up all the way.

[Double D]

Use the link on the resource list.

[Blaster]

They are on the resource list and have been for some time.

The Stokes style mortar they sell, listed as a Swiss Chemical mortar may not be Illegal.  It most likely is a legal Class III destructive device. Big Shots does say they make props for the Movie industry.

We have taken the position here this board that we are going deal only with exempt weapons-Antique Replicas.  We don't want this to become a destructive device Class III weapons board.  

We do a great deal if discussion here about building your own cannon.  It is too easy for someone to see a class III weapon posted here and get  the impression we endorse the construction, then go out and build one without understanding that it requires a permit from ATF do so.  A permit by the way that ATF won't normally issue to an individual.

I am unaware of any one being prosecuted solely for having a can shooting Stokes style mortar.  I am aware of criminals who have been arrested for other things...a meth lab raid for one...who have had these Stokes mortars, who have been charged with possessing a destructive device along with their other charges.

We don't want this board to become a mine for ATF enforcement action. I don't realy see ATF doing this, they have there hands full as it is.  But if some one complained to them they would be obligated to look.

We don't want to spend our time inserting a warning after every post on homemade cannons that it may be a class III weapon. So to make things simple we limit the board discussion to Antique replicas.

Wow, with that being said, I'm glad that I did NOT recommend that their web address be placed in our resource list of suppliers (since it was already listed).  And, I believe/hope that I did indicate that I merely wanted some fellow cannon/mortar shooters to see the antique replica mortar ( as shown on the particular site that I mentioned and that particular mortar is not being shown on the site that is listed in our current suppliers listing) and perhaps get some of those fellow cannon/mortar shooters to offer some suggestions on how an individual can move a 700 pound mortar around.  Blaster out. :oops:

[GGaskill]

There are basically two ways to move a heavy piece single handed.  Reduce it to separate pieces that can be handled by one person or resort to machines.    
 
Now machines can be very simple.  A ramp is a machine.  A cart is a machine.  A come-along is a machine.  A lever is a machine.    
 
You need to consider the kind of ground at your unloading/firing site.  Normal ground is rated at 30 pounds per square inch so figure wheel footprints based on that.  Hard ground makes wheeled vehicles easy to use.  Soft ground requires ground coverings to spread the weight around.  Sheets or strips of plywood will allow rolling the cart on soft ground but be sure to stay on the plywood.  
 
Let's take an example:  Assume a nearly full size smoothbore cannon, barrel length 66", weight around 500 lbs.  A two wheeled carriage of 250 lbs.  All this fits in a full size pickup truck with a bed height (unloaded) of 30".  You have two 2x12's eight feet long for ramps (longer would be easier but they wouldn't fit in the truck.)  You also have a couple of large blocks to put under the middle of the ramps for support.  Start unloading by removing the tailgate.  Then place the ramps and ramp supports.  The carriage should have been loaded with the wheels to the rear.  Connect one end of the come-along to the front of the truck bed and the other end to the lunette and slowly roll the carriage down the ramp.  This could also be done with a plain rope wrapped around an anchored post several times to allow controlled release.  Reverse the process to load the carriage.    
 
The heavier barrel is more of a problem but still manageable with a gin.  The worst part will be moving it around the pickup bed.  A piece of 3/4" plywood over the floor ribs will help a lot.  A small heavy duty cart will also be a help.  Using four 8' long 4x4's, make a four-legged "tripod" (a gin.)  You will need to tie the top ends together and firmly attach an eye or hook to suspend the come-along from.  Set this as close to the back of the truck as possible.  Using a lever, lift the barrel enough to position the cart under the center of gravity of the barrel, then roll it to the edge of the truck bed.    Place a sling around the barrel and attach it to the lower come-along hook and lift the barrel, then pull the truck away and run the carriage under the barrel.  Lower in place.  Reverse to load.  
 
Lots of work but possible.  For something like an 8" mortar, you would need stronger ramps but it should be possible to slide it down the ramp on a cart and pull it back up on a cart using the come-along.  Setting the mortar on the ground could be done the same basic way.

[Evil Dog]

There is always the option of having a lift-gate on the truck.... not exactly an inexpensive proposition though.

[Blaster]

GGaskill and Evil Dog: Many thanks for your suggestions on moving a 700 pound mortar by ones self.  Good suggestions and I hope to receive some more.  Blaster

[Double D]

Bob,

Here's how they moved the siege mortar at  N-SSA



Tripod with a windlass.  Lift up, move trailer underneath drive away.

[Blaster]

Doug, looks like the windlass and tripod would be about the most economical way to move the heavy mortar.  Would have to keep the tripod at a length that could still be carried in the pickup and yet high enough to accomodate the necessary room for the pulleys/block & tackle etc. and again still be high and wide enough to load on a trailer with the tripod legs straddling the trailer.  The capability of being able to move such dead weight by myself, in a PRACTICAL manner, is one of the major hurdles of my getting into such a heavy mortar.
However, I have been starting to accumulate some old bowling balls from various local garage sales just in the event I do go ahead and get this mortar.
I'd sure like to have more info on this 700 pound mortar but there is very little available so guess I'll have to break down and call the fellow selling them.  Also, the freight charge is right around $200 but that'd be a whole lot cheaper than a round trip drive to the North end of Idaho considering the fuel, motels, food and wear and tear on the vehicle and myself.  Thanks for the info and great picture.  Blaster (Bob in CO) :grin:
Final note:  I believe that if I even suggested getting a lift-gate applied to the back of the pick up, the Wife would want to use my head as projectile for a BB mortar.  :cry:

[Fred]

Hevay mortar = small trailer, 2 ton engine hoist, unload hoist from trailer, unload mortar from trailer.  Load and shoot