Author Topic: 2007 New River Valley Mortar and Cannon OPEN firepower demonstration (Read 7531 times)

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #60 on:** June 27, 2007, 01:01:30 AM »

Saturday, July 7th at 3:00 P.M.
Willis, Virginia.

I guess I'd better get a sack of quick-crete today and make up some 7-1/2 pounder's for the 4.5" mortar!

I'll post grid coordinates as soon as I get over there with the GPS. It's about 45 minutes to an hour from my home.

lance · « **Reply #61 on:** June 27, 2007, 03:24:20 PM »

Tim, all i have with GPS is the thing on the four wheeler, maybe i can ride that to Willis, oh well, i guess i'll find it............Tracy, Mike of Seacoastartillery, since you are coming to Floyd County you might want to see the sights. there's the world famous Friday Night Jamboree at the Floyd Country Store, people from all over the world come to see real mountain music being played. you guys might even get ta flat footin with some country gals. then theres Mabry Mill on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Floyd County, reported to be the most photographed spot in the United States, based on 25 million visitors to the Parkway each year. there's a couple of Winerys, tell you what, you guys do a Google Search of the things i just listed, surely you can find something to catch your eyes. just being neighborly, have a safe trip, Lance

seacoastartillery · « **Reply #62 on:** June 28, 2007, 01:34:02 AM »

Thanks Lance,

We appreciate that info. Our schedule is real tight, but adjustments can be made. We sure are looking forward to shooting with you guys. Don't have a GPS thingy, so we will probably show up at Tim's house a little early and follow him to the range. Mike is yelling at me now, got to get going; we have to cover Bath, Maine, and Brunswick and part of Portland today. I sure hope we can find a way to get out to Ft. Gorges in Portland Harbor. No ferries run out to it, so looks like we might have to rent a rowboat. I am practicing my rowing voice right now.
ROW Mike. Row harder! He He He

Thanks again,
Tracy

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #63 on:** June 28, 2007, 01:10:54 PM »

Plug this into Google - MAPS:

Ferney Creek Rd NW
Willis, VA 24380

Not the exact spot but within 1/2 mile of it.

lance · « **Reply #64 on:** June 29, 2007, 03:25:46 PM »

Tim, if needed or wanted, i can bring 2 - four foot by eight foot folding tables. also i cut out 8- six foot cardboard silhouettes with a seven foot stake down the back. also bringing a five gallon bucket to stand on, and a hammer to drive them in. one may be used by the hand gonne shooters? Tracy and Mike can have one if they want to try a 200 yard head shot. the rest should be saved for Capt. Earl if he wants them for a canister round.

seacoastartillery · « **Reply #65 on:** June 29, 2007, 06:39:48 PM »

Mighty nice of you, Lance. We sure could use one of those. We didn't have any room in the car for target frames or cardboard or 2 x 2s. Never shot the 100Pdr. Parrott at 200 yards before, but the trajectory curve is very much like the .45-70 which we are familiar with. Besides you should never reveal your excuses or reasons for missing a shot, until you actually miss. If you get lucky, you can always smile calmly, thumb your suspenders outward and say, "Yep, there's another one,(Bullseye), just beginner's luck, that's all, just luck." If you miss, then you can go through the whole list of Reasons like 'bumble bee on the rear sight', etc., etc. We are just north of Boston and heading your way!

Regards,
Tracy and Mike

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #66 on:** June 30, 2007, 12:58:37 AM »

I'll be headed over to the site this afternoon, along with doing a little skeet shooting (taking the double bbl 10ga.). Pix at 10pm.

I'll also check what tables (if any are needed).

Targets are a great idea, woodchucks don't always cooperate for an event like this.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #67 on:** June 30, 2007, 02:56:12 PM »

OK!

Back from the skeet shoot (with 10 and 12ga shotguns)! The folks there experienced my 4.5" mortar last year and were invited to this one - so we'll have plenty of local company! A number of folks from work are also coming (I already have a reputation.)

Lyle - the tables aren't exactly needed, as there are a couple of picnic tables there, but I think if they aren't any great effort to toss into the pick-em-up they would get used.

We're locked in now, 3pm Saturday July 7th. Earl will get there when he can.

To get directions plug in Ferney Creek Road NW, Willis, VA to mapquest. That will put you VERY close.

(For me it's 51 miles / 1:05 driving time from home).

THE RANGE - 100 to 200 yards long. Elevation below the horizon for shooting. Open grassy area for the range with WOODED areas of inclining hills beyond.

If driving on 221 from Floyd, it's about 9 miles. First landmark is Southern States Coop at six miles from Floyd; then big brick Brethren Church/Daycare at 1-1/2 to 2 miles before you turn right onto Alum Ridge Road, the right turn on to Ferney Creek Road and you're there.

Pictures of the site follow.

Even if it rains, I have no problem firing the 4.5 in a downpour (DD will attest to that).

lance · « **Reply #68 on:** June 30, 2007, 03:18:47 PM »

all right Tim, by calling me Lyle, i can see the good Capt. Earl has been working on you!!! well i'll just give all the targets to Tracy and Mike........... the forcast for saturday is supposed to be sunny, but, rain don't bother me,LANCE

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #69 on:** June 30, 2007, 03:31:53 PM »

Lance -

My slip - not induced by Earl, but perhaps by a cool refreshing beer after a long fun day of skeet shooting with full 2oz #6 shot turkey loads at those never-to-be trusted skeet!

I shot the 12ga in singles, but reserved the double 10 for doubles hi/lo and doubles from left and right. Big heavy stable slow swing and it would reach WAY out.

This is definitely going to be a FUN shoot.

lance · « **Reply #70 on:** June 30, 2007, 03:44:54 PM »

Tim, nice try but, it has Earl written all over it. if you like skeet shooting, i have a pair of vintage 1887 Winchester lever action shotguns, [lever not pump]. they are fun loaded with BP shells. want me to bring them?

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #71 on:** June 30, 2007, 03:49:23 PM »

Those are cool shotguns, but for this shoot let's keep to mortars, cannons and hand gonnes.

Thanks,
Tim K

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #72 on:** June 30, 2007, 04:52:28 PM »

Here's the site:

Approach – shooting area is on other side of garage, Ferney Creek Rd turns to left of picture. Note where car is parked (on-line and just beyond the near light pole) – that is perspective point for following pictures.

Left-most of 4 shots:

Center of 4 shots – showing approximate 200 and 100 yard impact points.

Right of 4 shots – showing 100 yd impact area and left of shooting area.

Shooting area in front of garage.

lance · « **Reply #73 on:** July 01, 2007, 03:25:37 PM »

Tim, that's a beautiful spot for shooting, so much nicer than a public range. i'll bring a smaller three foot by six foot folding table. also one or two of my smallest mortars, .58 cal, to get the kids broke in and ready for bigger ones. plus my new Sony dvd camcorder, there should be lot's of great action to record.i'll do my best to capture one of Capt. Earls canister rounds in full effect..............

seacoastartillery · « **Reply #74 on:** July 01, 2007, 04:04:56 PM »

What a great area! Wow; it's much nicer than any area where Mike and I have shot before. It would be a shame to put any holes in that sod. Do we have to replace our divots?
We are bringng some special hydrostatic shock targets with us. These should show up real well for Lance's new camera! Can't wait! We are finally out of the Boston area. Yikes! Mike and I both have headaches from driving around that town. Visited Springfield Arsenal today. Very nice indeed. A+ Museum!! See you all soon.

Regards,
Mike and Tracy

lance · « **Reply #75 on:** July 01, 2007, 04:11:30 PM »

Tracy and Mike, you should see the book that came with the camera, but i think i got it figured out. it even has a remote, so i filmed myself shooting mortars today. we will all have fun at the range!!!

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #76 on:** July 01, 2007, 04:34:59 PM »

Tracy & Mike -

The Boston Globe once referred to Mass. drivers as HIGHWAY ANARCHISTS - highest insurance rate in the nation.

I was stationed at Ft Devens, MA for a couple of years - just down the road from Lexington and Concord.

I expect you've got a lot of exciting stops as perhaps Watervleit Arsenal, Edgewood Arsenal, Aberdeen proving grounds, Trediger Arsenal, and MANY others. I'm sure you could write a book.

I think we'll have plenty of mortars, cannons, etc and plenty of folks for this one.

seacoastartillery · « **Reply #77 on:** July 02, 2007, 03:30:12 PM »

Tim, a slow drive down "Battle Road" through Lexington and Concord up to the Old North Bridge and the trip to Georges Island with Fort Warren and the exploration of the USS Constitution, 'Old Ironsides' made the traffic difficulties seem small. One of the most unique experiences we ever had on a research trip was one in which the weekend guide at Waterveliet Arsenal in NY State asked me to reach into a huge steel bin loaded with hundreds of cannonballs, both shot and shell, and to lift one out to examine it carefully. As I did this the top half of the one I selected separated from the bottom half. Imagine my surprise when a sulfur matrix loaded with 69 cal. balls AND .58 cal. Minie balls was revealed!! Yes, a case shot, complete with a dark gray powder cavity and a decayed wooden fuse.

As for the shoot, the more, the merrier! Looking forward to it.

Regards,

Tracy and Mike

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #78 on:** July 03, 2007, 01:17:27 PM »

That MUST have been awesome!

I've been setting out mortars to bring, hand gonnes; making cement filled bullets. More than enough of each for the time we have to spend - that will allow us to be selective.

lance · « **Reply #79 on:** July 03, 2007, 05:50:59 PM »

Tim, i went by the site today after work, kinda back in there isn't it. just perfect for a good day of shooting. i've invited a few people, Ralph Haden, the re-tired Floyd barber, he still cuts my hair at his house though. he is bringing a video camera to catch things i might miss. maybe a few kids from the hospital where my sister works might be able to attend, would only be four or five at most.that would be good for them to see the fireworks. i'll know friday if any can come, hope that won't be a problem..............i'm wondering if Tracy and Mike weigh more leaving a historic site,than when they went in to do research???

seacoastartillery · « **Reply #80 on:** July 04, 2007, 03:23:36 AM »

Yes we do, Lance, but it's nothing like what you're thinking about, just the weight of all those books that we buy from the gift shop. We never saw a book on artillery that we didn't want to buy! Buy the way the best stocked bookstore/giftshop in the country that we located is in the south at Fort Fisher, North Carolina. Really nice folks there too! By the way tennis balls make great targets at 300 yards, but unfortunately that trick will have to wait until another year, because the range is only 200 yards.

See you all soon,

Tracy and Mike

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #81 on:** July 06, 2007, 02:59:06 PM »

Ahhh the fun is about to begin.

I'm expecting from 10 to 40 people to show up, we've got some light refreshments planned -

It will be about 90 degrees, so look forward to moving a little slowly.

lance · « **Reply #82 on:** July 06, 2007, 03:19:44 PM »

ahhh, the fun has been going on early, i've been doing a live fire demo this evening for a bunch of folks camping out here. well the next hour or so, is clean the guns time.............. got to be ready for the saturday shoot, looking forward to it. Tim i don't think any will be coming with me, they are going up on the parkway to the olympic size pool. heck with swimming, i got guns to fire................

seacoastartillery · « **Reply #83 on:** July 07, 2007, 03:22:06 AM »

We have arrived. See you all at 3P.M. Saturday afternoon. We will have a BLAST!!!

Tracy and Mike

lance · « **Reply #84 on:** July 07, 2007, 06:00:03 PM »

o.k. guys, i'm tired. the shoot lasted seven hours. Tim i just sent you some pics to post,hope you got them. i'll get the film to you as soon as i can. i had a great day!!! not only did Tracy and Mike let me shoot the sea coast gun, they gave me an un-fired 100pd. bolt to have for a keepsake. we had a BLAST!!!!!!!! i'm sure there will be lot's of pics for this shoot, good night all,lance

Double D · « **Reply #85 on:** July 07, 2007, 06:23:06 PM »

Your Tired!!!!! We are all here sitting waiting with bated breath, what ever that is, to see pictures and your tired and going to bed!!!

Well that's alright, just your little blurb sounds like you had a good time!!!

I'm head to Baynesfield for a Townfair where we fire and display our little cannons!!! I'll be looking for you post when i get in 12 hours.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #86 on:** July 08, 2007, 03:49:59 AM »

Pictures this afternoon - we got back late last night, full pick-em-up truck to unload, lots of mortars to clean up and just now got back from our men's group monthly breakfast at church.

The shoot was GREAT! I cannot say enough in praise of Tracy and Mike's support, professionalism and good conversations we all had yesterday.

Thanks, DD, for CALLING from SA yesterday before the shoot. (Darlene said - after the call - OH! that Douglas!) It was a very pleasant surprise).

There were several local folks there and several from where I work.

Lance took the brunt of it as we were regularly calling him Lyle. I think it's going to stick.

And Dennis very graciously provided the site from which to shoot. Pictures follow soon.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #87 on:** July 08, 2007, 08:25:33 AM »

Here's the first batch of pix:

01 – Before

02 – THE 100 lb Parrot

03 - Setting Jugs at 200 yds

04 – Mike – Tracey Lining up on 100 yd targets

05 - Tracey - Mike Loading – note safety rammer, use of glove over touch-hole.

06 - Mike - 100 lb Parrot Firing – note it’s in full recoil position (up the ramp).

07 - Mike sighting in at 200 yds.

08 - Dale firing Lance's GB mortar

09 - Soda Pop Bore Mortar Firing (24 oz bottle full of concrete or water)

10 - 4.5inch mortar firing

11 - golf-ball caliber hand gonne

12 - fish was this big

13 – Setting targets at 200 yards

14 - First firing of 100 lb Parrot.

15 – David Firing the Soda Pop Caliber Mortar

16 - Another shot from Soda Pop Caliber Mortar – shooting a 24oz bottle of water (Lyle’s)

17 - another par 3 shot

18 – Some of the participants

Double D · « **Reply #88 on:** July 08, 2007, 08:39:49 AM »

Now that's what I'm talking aobut!!!!!

lance · « **Reply #89 on:** July 08, 2007, 10:30:12 AM »

Double D, ain't you glad i went to bed and let Tim post the pics??? hey Tim, did you get the pic i sent of Tracy and Mike exploding the jug at 100 yds? i was lucky with the still camera, got the sea coast with smoke and the jug bursting. darn i wish i could post pics.........Tim, maybe a fall shoot?