Cut Bank Cannon Convention, II August 20-21 2011 in Montana

[Double D]

If your are coming to the shoot drop me a PM and I will give you my cell member so you let me know when you get in town


So far this is who I think is coming based on what has been posted here on the board.

M&T Seacoast Artillery
Rocklock
GGaskill
Southpaw1
Asron87
MikeR C
Prospector86
Cannonmaker
NVWalt
Gunsonwheels

[Double D]

Got the target frames made...



..and the first level framing for Fort Pallet.

[seacoastartillery]

     That's what we have been looking for!  Fort Pallet looks really top notch.  What will the defenders be shooting?  What, they are not allowed to possess any arms?  It will be difficult to get any volunteers to defend the fort with that rule in effect.    Our plan this year is to bring less, but shoot more.  We have room for one soda can mortar, one golf ball mortar,our Krupp Howitzer Prototype #3, our 1/6 scale 100 Pdr. Parrott Rifle M1861 on it's Iron Center-Pintle Barbette Carriage, and our completed, in-the-white, 1/6 scale 7" Treble-Banded Brooke Rifle on it's Wooden Center-Pintle Barbette Carriage.  We will also bring a bunch of empty milk jugs to be filled with water for 100 and 200 yards targets.

     Douglas, so we know what type and height water jug supports to bring, will there be any grass or weeds between the firing line and the targets?  If so, how high?

Mike and Tracy

[Zulu]

Put red food coloring in the water jugs.  It will make a great affect in pictures for those of us who have to live our lives through your adventures.
Zulu The Not Going To Montana

[Double D]

That is only the frame work for the  brick work.  Fort Pallet will have  field battery defending as well as a compliment of garrison guns

The grass should be cut by time of the shoot, that is if it isn't bulldozed.  What the range looks like today may not be what it  looks tomorrow.

We have plenty of old tires which we can set pallets on to shoot water jugs.

[GGaskill]

Have we shot any old tires to see if there is a safety risk in using them?  Both in profile and tread on.

[Double D]

Okay so we will stack up pallets.

[GGaskill]

At what range is this going to be?

[Double D]

That's up op Tracy, but he does say 100 and 200 yards in the post above.

Tracy what kind of sights do  you have on the cannons?

[Double D]

Gun club meeting tonight!

The  Ben Franklin Store donated the $100 for the opening pot for the hole in one contest. 

I went out to the range today and looked things over.  Need to get the grass cut and set the targets up.  I was bit disappointed with the work done on the firing line.

Tonight at the meeting the club president said we have a grader coming in before the shot to smooth out the firing line before the shoot.  We'll see,

I will start setting up the Range Thursday.  First thing to do is set up Fort  Pallet.

[RocklockI]

Douglas if we can see the targets over the grass ,it will good . No one is expecting to shoot off a pool table . A nice putting green will be fine .
 
Sounds like your club president has a 'shovel ready' project moving the dirt around with a grader .
If he pulls it off you might ask him if he would be troubled by running for office ?
 
Thank You to the Ben Franklin ! I will shop there early and often .

[Double D]

Douglas if we can see the targets over the grass ,it will good . No one is expecting to shoot off a pool table . A nice putting green will be fine .
 
Sounds like your club president has a 'shovel ready' project moving the dirt around with a grader .
If he pulls it off you might ask him if he would be troubled by running for office ?
 
Thank You to the Ben Franklin ! I will shop there early and often .

I just don't want a repeat of last time,and can't see the target from the firing line because they were below the horizon.

[Asron87]

  I got my brother to join me on this adventure. We have everything ready but we need black powder. the only place in town that carries 2f bp broke the key in the lock and they don't seem to concerned in getting it open any time soon (I think I'm the only one that buys the stuff). We'll be leaving from Bismarck ND on wednesday the 17th.

[Double D]

I got my brother to join me on this adventure. We have everything ready but we need black powder. the only place in town that carries 2f gp broke the key in the lock and they don't seem to concerned to in getting it open any time soon (I think I'm the only one that buys the stuff). We'll be leaving from Bismarck ND on wednesday the 17th.

How much powder of what type do you need, George is making an order

[subdjoe]

 Need to get the grass cut .

Canister, lots and lots of canister.  Mow it right down.   

[Double D]

 Need to get the grass cut .

Canister, lots and lots of canister.  Mow it right down.   

Before the shoot...

[Double D]

Okay you guys ready for the cannon shoot? 

Fort Pallet is up.  Southpaw will be over tomorrow to cut the grass.

When you folks get to town call me up. 

We will be casting zinc on Friday.  I am going to have to get my Propane tanks filled.

I also have 1 inch round ball mould.  We can crank up the furnace and make some of those also.  Bring your lead.

[Double D]

 If you were driving down the road looking for the cannon shot and saw this sign on the left side of the highway by a  road and gate going off the the left would you think this might be the place to turn  left to go to the cannon shoot?

Or would you just keep driving on down the road?

[1Southpaw]

I'd probably drive on by , That sign indicates crazy red neck people with dangerous  black powder and only one front tooth ! 
 
Very nice sign DD 
 
Range is Mowed and looks good .
Some Crazy guy was out there today driving around and around the Evil Fort Pallet , Pointing one finger and  a thumb going bang , bang , bank !  Fort still standing , He must have been shooting blanks.....
 
The excitement builds 

[Ex 49'er]

I'd probably drive on by , That sign indicates crazy red neck people with dangerous  black powder and only one front tooth !   

Probably plays a banjo, too!   

[1Southpaw]

I gave away the Banjo but do play a mean autoharp  , And I have 2 teeth   
 
Busy sorting "stuff " to take along , may need to pull a trailer to haul all the junk . The 1 ton with hoist for the mortar is a short bed  with precious little room for the "stuff"   Got to keep the fuel tank , Air compressor , tool box , air reels in place .
Still have to build a new mortar shooting platform as the old one warped so bad .Old  Fire cracker Cannons 1 and 2  need refinishing , 8 Ball is still in hiding ,9 refuses to leave home with out  8 Ball , Wife says she is not up to 2 days in the hot sun , Motor home caught fire , Harvest is coming ,  And .......
Boy am I excited !!!!
Evil Fort Pallet  flying the Black Flag is calling ..........

[Double D]

This link will take you to a map to find the range.

http://mapshare.delorme.com/Consumer/V.aspx?p=mb4ww4vv

The directions start from the Town Pump gas station across from McDonalds.  Print them and and bring them with you.

Friday evening lets all meet up at Charlies Pizza right next to the penquin...

[seacoastartillery]

     

If you were driving down the road looking for the cannon shot and saw this sign on the left side of the highway by a  road and gate going off the the left would you think this might be the place to turn  left to go to the cannon shoot?

Or would you just keep driving on down the road?

     Honestly, Double D., I would keep driving down the road, because I would most likely mistake that sign for the Cut Bank Aquarium sign. To me, it looks like a "Cannon Mouthed Blow Fish", going left.

     Now, when I spotted a sign like the one posted below, I would stop the car, get out and take a good look at 'the shot'.       I hope Charlie of Charlie's Pizza is not a long-time friend of yours.  He could bake 50 anchovies in my pizza.  Boy, wouldn't that be a treat!!  Beer!  More beer please!

Tracy


"the shot"

[Double D]

     

If you were driving down the road looking for the cannon shot and saw this sign on the left side of the highway by a  road and gate going off the the left would you think this might be the place to turn  left to go to the cannon shoot?

Or would you just keep driving on down the road?

     Honestly, Double D., I would keep driving down the road,

   
Tracy

Yes I know that's why I put the picture up now...so those who last time drove 10 miles past this sign on the second day of the shoot might be forewarned...what happens in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas, but has nothing to do with Cut Bank.

[GGaskill]

Wouldn't take much to add a Magic Markered arrow pointing in the correct direction.

[Asron87]

I got my brother to join me on this adventure. We have everything ready but we need black powder. the only place in town that carries 2f gp broke the key in the lock and they don't seem to concerned to in getting it open any time soon (I think I'm the only one that buys the stuff). We'll be leaving from Bismarck ND on wednesday the 17th.

How much powder of what type do you need, George is making an order

If it's not to late we'd take 2 canisters of ffg and two canisters of fg.

[Double D]

I got my brother to join me on this adventure. We have everything ready but we need black powder. the only place in town that carries 2f gp broke the key in the lock and they don't seem to concerned to in getting it open any time soon (I think I'm the only one that buys the stuff). We'll be leaving from Bismarck ND on wednesday the 17th.

How much powder of what type do you need, George is making an order

I don't know about th FFG, but we will be able help you with the Fg.  The order went in last week I believe.

If it's not to late we'd take 2 canisters of ffg and two canisters of fg.

[gunsonwheels]

I am sure it is too late for this year but...
 
Craig Kirkland of Bear River Powder lives in Evanston, WY and travels to many of the shoots in the mountain west... Utah, Idaho, etc.  He has a business location in Idaho and is also opening an outlet in Oregon.  He tells me he is a "master distributor" for Goex.  Sells sporting grades in cans and 25# bags and "A" or fireworks powder in 50# boxes.
 
If powder requests could be compiled early there might be enough volume to entice him to come to Cutbank for the shoot and to make BP deliveries.  He comes to our shoot in Casper each year and usually goes to Ashton and McCammon ID rendezvous each year also. 

[Double D]

Weather forecast for the coming weekend...http://www.accuweather.com/us/mt/cut-bank/59427/forecast-weekends.asp

Do not under estimate these temperatures.  We are at 3800 feet elevation and the air is much thinner,  and at 80 degrees here you will burn.

Humidity will be low and you will dry out so bring lots of water.

[GGaskill]

The powder order went in last Friday for 20 lbs Fg and 5 lbs FFg.  Price will be $15.50 a pound.