That Indiana shoot is a very interesting competition. However the way they build their Mortars puts them outside the scope of this board and we don't allow the discussion of them on this forum. The Stokes mortar is a post 1898 design and to build one
may require ATF permission.
Stokes MortarNow if you wish to build one of these to resemble a pre 1899 mortar we are here to help. You certainly would be the star of the shoot if you should. I will also tell you that you would be at a distinct advantage if you built pre 1899. The Mortar will be more robust, heavier and more accurate. We have had several of the board member build these types of mortars.
I believe the Annual Caspar Wyoming cannon shoot featured bowling ball mortars. They shot at a target at 600 yards.
Here are our board Rules for your review.
This board is for the making and shooting of blackpowder mortars and cannons that meet ATF's description of an antique or replica of an antique. You will find Links to ATF's various descriptions in our FAQ's and references posted at the top of the board.
We as moderators will enforce this rule as we understand ATF's definition. We are not Lawyers. We are going to go with what we know and understand. This is for your protection as well as ours. We do not want this forum to become the hunting grounds for rookie ATF Agents trying to make their reputation. The Veterans aren’t going to bother us they are to busy looking for real crooks.
If you wish to provide us with a letter from ATF defining whatever other device you wish to discuss as an antique we will allow the discussion. Provide the letter first.
That being said this is what we accept on this forum.
1. Any firearm not designed or redesigned for using rim fire or conventional center fire ignition with fixed ammunition
and
2. Manufactured in or before 1898...or replica thereof, whether actually manufactured before or after the year 1898)
or
3. Any firearm using fixed ammunition manufactured in or before 1898, for which ammunition is no longer manufactured in the United States and is not readily available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade.
Stokes Mortar Click on this link for a explanation of why the Stokes Mortar is not allowed on this board. Stokes Mortar
The Indiana shoot is clearly an NFA shoot and well outside the scope of this forum. You will find an NFA board else where on Graybeards.