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Author Topic: How do you get a satisfactory "boom" from a blank load in a mortar?  (Read 748 times)

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Offline Millsman

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How do you get a satisfactory "boom" from a blank load in a mortar?
« on: August 02, 2011, 07:33:43 AM »
One with 2" one with 3 1/2" bore.
 
And, any recommendations as to what might be an inexpensive projectile to fit either one.
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Offline rmagill

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Re: How do you get a satisfactory "boom" from a blank load in a mortar?
« Reply #1 on: August 02, 2011, 08:39:01 AM »
   For my 2" mortar I use  pvc slip pipe caps. I glue a short peice of pipe between them to hold them together and fill with a cement product. They come with rounded or squared edges so I usually make bullet shaped ones just because.  Shop around and they are usually pretty cheap especially if you buy a quantity of them.
Bob
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Offline KABAR2

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Re: How do you get a satisfactory "boom" from a blank load in a mortar?
« Reply #2 on: August 02, 2011, 08:50:36 AM »
Quote from: rmagill on August 02, 2011, 08:39:01 AM
   For my 2" mortar I use  pvc slip pipe caps. I glue a short peice of pipe between them to hold them together and fill with a cement product. They come with rounded or squared edges so I usually make bullet shaped ones just because.  Shop around and they are usually pretty cheap especially if you buy a quantity of them.
Bob
He is talking about blank loads -no projo-  try using damp grass clippings on top of a FFFg powder charge I found I could get a report that way.....
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Offline dominick

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Re: How do you get a satisfactory "boom" from a blank load in a mortar?
« Reply #3 on: August 02, 2011, 08:53:06 AM »
Hello Millsman,  Welcome!  Are you using real black powder or a substitute?  You need to use real black powder and with a short barrel such as a mortar pack a wadding in the bore.  Dom
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Offline Double D

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Re: How do you get a satisfactory "boom" from a blank load in a mortar?
« Reply #4 on: August 02, 2011, 09:13:59 AM »
I got a pretty good report by simply making a one layer thick tight fitting wad of card board.  The wad doesn't become a projectile and simply floats to the ground.

Cannons are better noise makers than mortars.
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Offline rmagill

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Re: How do you get a satisfactory "boom" from a blank load in a mortar?
« Reply #5 on: August 02, 2011, 09:51:07 AM »
"And, any recommendations as to what might be an inexpensive projectile to fit either one"
 
I read that to mean he was also asking about projectiles
Bob
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Offline GGaskill

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Re: How do you get a satisfactory "boom" from a blank load in a mortar?
« Reply #6 on: August 02, 2011, 10:13:40 AM »
Here is a chart giving standard can dimensions.  The bore sizes you asked about (2" and 3.5") do not have any good fits.
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Offline seacoastartillery

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Re: How do you get a satisfactory "boom" from a blank load in a mortar?
« Reply #7 on: August 02, 2011, 10:59:50 AM »
     Like KABAR2 we have had the best luck with damp grass clippings.  They seem to raise the decibel level quite a bit and are entirely safe and non-flamable.  In short barreled howitzers or mortars, with just a bit of tamping you can get quite a Bang with authentic, FFFg BP.  We like KABAR2s solution a lot and would encourage you to give it a try.  Nothing to make or buy is an extra Bonus!

M&T


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Offline Artilleryman

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Re: How do you get a satisfactory "boom" from a blank load in a mortar?
« Reply #8 on: August 02, 2011, 12:12:50 PM »
Quote from: Double D on August 02, 2011, 09:13:59 AM
I got a pretty good report by simply making a one layer thick tight fitting wad of card board.  The wad doesn't become a projectile and simply floats to the ground.

Cannons are better noise makers than mortars.

I agree.
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Offline Millsman

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Re: How do you get a satisfactory "boom" from a blank load in a mortar?
« Reply #9 on: August 02, 2011, 05:44:09 PM »
Thanks for the replys and recommendations. Just to be sure FFFG???, I thought that FG or FFG was the safest way to go with artillery. Reassurance if you have a moment.
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Offline RocklockI

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Re: How do you get a satisfactory "boom" from a blank load in a mortar?
« Reply #10 on: August 02, 2011, 05:51:42 PM »
Do the mortars have a chamber ? They should ,and since the chamber is much reduced in dia. compared to the bore ,then yes fffg is what you want on a 2-3" bore dia. mortar .
 
Gary
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Offline Double D

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Re: How do you get a satisfactory "boom" from a blank load in a mortar?
« Reply #11 on: August 02, 2011, 06:42:17 PM »
FFFg in a blank load only.

FFg only in small bore under 70 caliber, cannons firing projectiles.
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Offline brass cannon

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Re: How do you get a satisfactory "boom" from a blank load in a mortar?
« Reply #12 on: August 08, 2011, 09:51:17 PM »
Use "re-enactor" powder from Clarksville rod and gun.  It makes a proper boom without any wadding.  I fire a authentic 1762 repro bronze coehorn with great success using 3 oz.  of re-enactor powder in a foil cartridge. 
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Offline Co. Batguano

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Re: How do you get a satisfactory "boom" from a blank load in a mortar?
« Reply #13 on: August 09, 2011, 07:10:30 AM »
So the general rule of thumb would be to drop down 2 powder sizes for blanks in mortars, and 1 in cannons?  If you shoot cannon grade powder, drop to FFg in mortars, and Fg in cannons?  Same thing if you're a projectile shooting Fg shooter.  Drop to FFFg, and FFg respectively?
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