Hello Dictator:
Some terrific pictures and great guns you have. It looks like you are shooting at the Casper Wyoming “Cannon Shoot” Range.
Sorry I am unable to provide you with the answers to your specific questions. I was at the NMLRA Cannon Course last November as a student with a camera and also to renew some old acquaintances. The “ Ordnance Rifle I believe belonged to “Buddy” Townsand the First Vice President of the NMLRA.
Back in the 1970Â’s when I was shooting an original Bronze 6pdr with the NSSA, I only used a reduced charge of 8 ounces of 2FA black powder and was firing a solid round zinc projectile of near the full weight of 6 lbs. In the 1970Â’s, we never had the opportunity to shoot full service charges.
Today at my retired age, I only shoot a half scale Parrott Rifle with a 1.5” bore and 1.25 ounces of 1Fg Goex and a 12 ounce solid lead “patched” round ball.
RE: Powder Kegs question,
On the ramps under the wheels and trail. I had noticed that you cannoneers at the Casper shoot were doing this so I made three 12 x 24 inch ramps for our December 2005 shoot. Shooting in the soft sand environment that we have here in Florida, it really made a difference in the overall accuracy. This shoot because of the uniform level platforms I was able to have 70% of my rounds hit the target. At all of the previous shoots I was lucky to have 10% hit the target.
What also helped me at this shoot was not using the period style scale breech sight I had made and replacing it with a removable fixed peep sight placed into the vent hole.