Need a round for a 4.5" mortar

[MR.GADGET]

Ok I'm looking for a round to use in my 4.5" 12 lb mortar.

I use a zinc ball for shooting in the N-SSA, we are able to re use them if we don't stack them and hit something hard.

What I'm looking is for something to shoot at MG shoots and other ranges where you may not find or recover a usable ball.

Was thinking something Cast or cut, must be cheaper, be cool if I can be filled with flower or paint to smoke or mark something.
Not blow up I know we can not do that. Just hitting and cracking or something like that.

Want to be able to use for night shoots just for the flash and smoke. Blank charges are not the same on a mortar.

Want something in the 8 lbs.

Any thought?
Wood filled with lead? Plaster, cylinder with concrete?

I do not want to mark up the bore and damage it at all as I use it for the N-SSA, just do not want to shoot balls that cost 25-35 each.

Any thoughts?

[Cat Whisperer]

4" pvc pipe is 4.500" in diameter (OD).  That will be more or less that what you need.  Measure your bore.  You should have clearance (windage).  Cement filled sections 8 or 9" high weigh in at about 7.5 lbs.

<---------------------  note my 4.5" mortar and see pictures from the 3AANRVCS.

[MR.GADGET]

That is kind of what I was thinking. How do you keep it from blowing out. I know on the cannons they pin it is or glue it.

What you think about using the tube and 5" or so. The weight would be down, if I use 9 " it would fill the barrel almoost to the top, any problem with that, being kind of like a coke mortar I would guess....

[Cat Whisperer]

I've not yet had to glue.  Filling them in the heat (plastic expanded slightly) and shooting them when cooler has been enough.  Once in a while I'll get a little slippage.  Don't try the cheap foam-filled.  It works most of the time, but a heavy charge will shatter and shread the plastic.

Putting a cross-pin/wire through is not a bad idea.  If you do get a few loose ones, there is so much area of contact most anything tackey should work for glue - like calking compound.

Don't fire them if you've just cast them - give them a week to harden.  If shot too soon, you'll get some slippage.

If you have a standard bore it is likely 4.62"  -  I've seen a Dixie mortar that fit the 4" pvc pipe caps very well.

[Frank46]

How about using a cut down bowling pin?. Have no idea the diameter though. If too big have someone with a wood lathe trim it down. Just a suggestion. Frank