Author Topic: The 3rd Almost Annual New River Valley Mortar and Cannon Shoot ! (Read 17018 times)

lance · « **Reply #60 on:** March 05, 2010, 03:38:58 PM »

Thank You, Double D.
I would like to take a moment and try to explain how i got into History and shooting Mortars and Cannons.
Guess like most folks, i got my first 22, when i was 10, but what really got my attention, was when i turned 12 and got a 31- That's a .31cal, 5 shot percussion revolver. Still have it and it still shoots, so instead of being raised on video games, it was black powder for me.
Plus with my interest in books, history and guns being at the top of the list,well, like i said, lot's of books collected from an early age.
Not to mention all the modern guns of all types that i've either owned or got a chance to shoot, well, i also have lot's of shooting knowledge too. But, it was the Boom and smoke from the black powder, and all the historical stories, that got me into cannons and mortars. I see my few cannons and mortars as working historical items, that i can show others, and show how they work.
And, if my projects can inspire Douglas, well what else can i say, other than Thanks.

RocklockI · « **Reply #61 on:** March 05, 2010, 05:56:50 PM »

same, same Lance , i had bb guns since 6 and was allowed to take a .22 into the woods by myself at 12 .

my brother bought a brass framed navy colt .36 from dixie or someplace when i was about 15 .....because we could buy it by mail .

we had more fun with that revolver as kids than should be allowed . we respected it big time and never had an issuse with it except it finaly broke and we had to align the cyilinder by hand ......we didnt care really and still shot it, 4 feet high at 25 yds iirc .

i think he still owns it .

Gary

seacoastartillery · « **Reply #62 on:** March 06, 2010, 11:41:52 AM »

We thought maybe you guys would like to see the lay of the land at the private range we will use for the Third New River Valley Shoot near Floyd, Virginia. The following are pics we took while attending the First NRV Shoot. I just talked to Cat Whisperer and he said, Sure go ahead and post them."

Mike and Tracy

Cat Whisperer's 2 liter soda bottle mortar, I believe, launches a full bottle out to 200 yards.

Two of Lance's mortars. We like the one on the left so much, it's at the top of the build list for our upcoming retirement in 3 years.

Another fine looking Confederate mortar by Lance.

Mike fires our scale 100 pdr. Parrott Rifle at the chalk-filled jug out at 200 yards. I recall he hit it with the third shot. A big Blue Smurf appeared suddenly!

Some of Tim's ordnance, mortars and Gonnes. Ever fire a Gonne? Lots of fun!

A portion of the 'Gun Line'.

A close-up of Tim's mortars. I believe the farthest one is his 4.5" PVC/Concrete Mortar. Quite a thump issued forth, as I remember!

lance · « **Reply #63 on:** March 06, 2010, 01:50:52 PM »

Gary, sometime i'll dig out my collection of percussion revolvers and post some pics. Guess i'll have to drop in on the cap and ball folks, and post the pics there.

Mike and Tracy, still have snow on the ground, looking forward to when the trees have leaves, and the grass is green.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #64 on:** March 06, 2010, 02:12:27 PM »

From the 2nd Annual NRV Mortar and Cannon Shoot.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #65 on:** March 06, 2010, 02:13:42 PM »

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #66 on:** March 06, 2010, 02:15:01 PM »

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #67 on:** March 06, 2010, 02:16:52 PM »

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #68 on:** March 06, 2010, 02:18:12 PM »

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #69 on:** March 06, 2010, 02:24:03 PM »

lance · « **Reply #70 on:** March 06, 2010, 02:31:06 PM »

Tim, you keep on and Dale is going to have to build an extended parking lot.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #71 on:** March 06, 2010, 02:38:47 PM »

It took some digging to find those. I'd posted all of them before. Have a BUNCH more, mostly detail shots and some action footage. (M&T - I'll cut a CD or DVD soon & send it your way.)

I think this time we'll have a bit more organization in the shoot and a bit of competition.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #72 on:** March 06, 2010, 02:39:26 PM »

Quote from: lance on March 06, 2010, 02:31:06 PM

Tim, you keep on and Dale is going to have to build an extended parking lot.

That's OK by me!

lance · « **Reply #73 on:** March 06, 2010, 02:42:45 PM »

who is going to do the organization part?

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #74 on:** March 06, 2010, 02:51:10 PM »

Quote from: lance on March 06, 2010, 02:42:45 PM

who is going to do the organization part?

Ahhhhhhhh ....

You have sparked us into a friendly competition of shooting the baloon, and

WE have been doing it already - just look at the Calendar of events sticky and the events planned so far.

In the background, we'll be a bit more formal on which 'irons get placed where ( placement of powder, loading procedures and so forth ).

lance · « **Reply #75 on:** March 06, 2010, 03:08:13 PM »

How is the balloon building coming along?, by the way.
I don't want to put a lot of expense into a balloon gun, so it will probably be smaller than golf ball bore.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #76 on:** March 06, 2010, 03:39:13 PM »

Quote from: lance on March 06, 2010, 03:08:13 PM

How is the balloon building coming along?, by the way.
I don't want to put a lot of expense into a balloon gun, so it will probably be smaller than golf ball bore.

Planning stage.
a) there are local sources for Helium. Local welding supply stores and the party stores. Considering hydrogen if I can find it (would be more interesting to have a flaming end of the baloon).
b) thethered baloons are a possibility - easily obtainable from internet. Worst case is to put up a cluster; better options will develop WHEN it gets warmer.

KABAR2 · « **Reply #77 on:** March 06, 2010, 04:05:44 PM »

Quote from: Cat Whisperer on March 06, 2010, 03:39:13 PM

Quote from: lance on March 06, 2010, 03:08:13 PM
How is the balloon building coming along?, by the way.
I don't want to put a lot of expense into a balloon gun, so it will probably be smaller than golf ball bore.

Planning stage.
a) there are local sources for Helium. Local welding supply stores and the party stores. Considering hydrogen if I can find it (would be more interesting to have a flaming end of the baloon).
b) thethered baloons are a possibility - easily obtainable from internet. Worst case is to put up a cluster; better options will develop WHEN it gets warmer.

Ummm..... for a flaming end one would have to fire incendiaries at it...... While this would be great fun it may prove disastrous if there is a dry spell.......

seacoastartillery · « **Reply #78 on:** March 06, 2010, 04:25:08 PM »

Quote from: lance on March 06, 2010, 01:50:52 PM

Gary, sometime i'll dig out my collection of percussion revolvers and post some pics. Guess i'll have to drop in on the cap and ball folks, and post the pics there.

Mike and Tracy, still have snow on the ground, looking forward to when the trees have leaves, and the grass is green.

So are we, Lance, so are we. We are getting ready for the GB cannon competition you suggested by giving the Mallet's Mortar Jr. a fresh coat of off-white paint. We are adding iron lifting rings, two sets per side as the original had. It will look more intimidating that way.

Seriously Lance, the last time we brought this GB mortar to the range, it would not shoot worth a darn, so we WILL NOT be shooting for drinks and dinner all around! How about just for fun?

Quote from: Cat Whisperer on March 06, 2010, 02:38:47 PM

It took some digging to find those. I'd posted all of them before. Have a BUNCH more, mostly detail shots and some action footage. (M&T - I'll cut a CD or DVD soon & send it your way.)

I think this time we'll have a bit more organization in the shoot and a bit of competition.

Thanks Tim, if you have the time we sure would appreciate either one. Boy oh boy, does Mike look tense or what in that just fired Brooke pic.

Tracy and Mike

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #79 on:** March 06, 2010, 04:28:23 PM »

That's why I said 'considering'. It would have be under just the right conditions, like right after a good rain. We in Virginia have a law that requires one to pay for whatever it costs to extinguish the forrest fire if your (camp) fire started it.

KABAR2 · « **Reply #80 on:** March 06, 2010, 04:40:41 PM »

Yeah it would be fun after a good rain......

I was just remembering the last WWI re-enactment I did where we set the field on fire with the artillery..... we -the Germans stomped and shoveled it out
about a 50 ft area.... the Americans called the fire dept when they set their side on fire........

RocklockI · « **Reply #81 on:** March 06, 2010, 05:34:25 PM »

I think this range is perfect for balloon shooting ! It looks downhill which means the balloons can rise on a tether and you'll still be hitting a known backstop by shooting down .

These balloons look really good I still havnt tried one yet but they look great at 50 yds it should be no contest . OK mybe 25 yds

.....just have to see .

Gary

GGaskill · « **Reply #82 on:** March 06, 2010, 06:19:59 PM »

Seems to me that firing canister at a balloon would be the way to go since you don't have tracers.

lance · « **Reply #83 on:** March 07, 2010, 02:00:19 PM »

Mike and Tracy, How about just for fun? I thought i wrote that when i wrote- just a friendly contest. I will chip in on the lunch and cookie expense.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #84 on:** March 07, 2010, 02:04:56 PM »

Gary -
COuld you send me the specs on where you got those baloons?

Lance -
We've got it covered as far as the cookies go! Dale is already thinking about the BBQ too.

Shall we do Tee shirts or baseball caps for this event?

I'd love to try a high-angle / low-angle shoot at a target with both rounds hitting at the same time too.

lance · « **Reply #85 on:** March 07, 2010, 02:19:01 PM »

Who has time for shooting when there is BBQ and cookies. Tee shirts or caps? how about a patch, then i could get a shooting jacket and collect patches.

KABAR2 · « **Reply #86 on:** March 07, 2010, 03:04:45 PM »

Lance I like the idea of a patch..... how about a contest for the design we have some artistic people around here
let's have people submit their designs and let people vote on them.... I will talk to someone at work I think the
company will donate some time to produce the patches.

Allen <><

lance · « **Reply #87 on:** March 07, 2010, 03:11:59 PM »

Allen, now that's a Great idea.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #88 on:** March 07, 2010, 03:36:48 PM »

Hmmm.

TEAMWORK !!

RocklockI · « **Reply #89 on:** March 07, 2010, 05:22:52 PM »

CW , https://www.theskylantern.com/shop/login.php

2.50 each . These things are simple and very well constructed , colorfull too . I havnt open my opened my halloween pumpkin orange balloon yet .

Nice bright orange ! with jack o lantern face too ......very spooky

.

I'll try my Nitny Lions balloon soon to etermine burn time of the PREloaded fuel 'pellet' but teathered ....as I dont want to be the second Balloon boy of Colorado . Just watch and see what happens .