Author Topic: Planning: the 5th Almost Annual New River Valley Mortar and Cannon Shoot (Read 4341 times)

seacoastartillery · « **Reply #30 on:** July 29, 2012, 11:45:26 AM »

Yes .... ? Of course, Yes. A qualified Yes, but a motivated Yes, a want everything schedule-wise to come together, Yes. It's a we will do our darndest to get there, Yes!! Hey, it's Deja vu 2007. Back then we came down the coast of Maine, thru Mass and on to Virginia. This time we will be going southwest from Halifax, Nova Scotia, over to Spuddy's house in Presque Isle to express our sincere thanks, pick up the 7" Brooke, and head down along the coast of Maine, through Mass. and on to Virginia. In a 6,000 mile trip, what's another 300??

M&T

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #31 on:** July 29, 2012, 01:41:56 PM »

Wow. Interesting indeed. Let us know how we can influence y'all to drop in.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #32 on:** August 18, 2012, 06:43:33 AM »

As we get closer I'll try to post updates.

A good friend of mine, Len Fagan, who runs a local custom gun shop, will be joining us. ( http://www.oldlodgearmory.com/ )

Cannoneer · « **Reply #33 on:** August 18, 2012, 11:40:20 AM »

The second photo on the Old Lodge Armory page shows two items in the left hand lower corner, that seem vaguely familiar to me.

Ex 49'er · « **Reply #34 on:** August 18, 2012, 02:20:08 PM »

Quote from: Cannoneer on August 18, 2012, 11:40:20 AM

The second photo on the Old Lodge Armory page shows two items in the left hand lower corner, that seem vaguely familiar to me.

Probably plywood knockoffs!

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #35 on:** August 18, 2012, 02:37:18 PM »

Quote from: Cannoneer on August 18, 2012, 11:40:20 AM

The second photo on the Old Lodge Armory page shows two items in the left hand lower corner, that seem vaguely familiar to me.

Sharp eyes!

Yup. Those are two used golf-ball caliber and beer-can caliber mortars I'm having Len sell for me. (I'll bring similar ones to the shoot.)

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #36 on:** September 05, 2012, 04:32:06 PM »

Just now back from hunting prairie dogs in South Dakota.
Picked up some black powder in Mineral, Illinois at CRATER Black Powder Blasting and Fireworks.
Jon B. was great to deal with. www.addictedtoblackpowder.com

SO I'll have plenty of 2FA for the shoot.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #37 on:** September 14, 2012, 12:45:55 AM »

I'm just back now from a business trip to Vermont/Boston.

Might have to go to Slovenia at the end of the month.

NOW is the time to let me know about coming to the 5th AANRVM&CS.

Thanks!

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #38 on:** September 15, 2012, 10:52:06 AM »

OK Headcount.
M&T
a local gunsmith (Great friend too) and son,
a pawn-broker friend and family who live nearby
Dale and myself
and 3 folks from work
>add Pete (little seacoast)<

Anyone else?

Here are the grid coordinates:

37.020175,-80.574857
Paste these into Google maps. Then pic get directions.

Let me know.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #39 on:** September 15, 2012, 12:38:23 PM »

Here's one from last year:

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #40 on:** September 18, 2012, 02:43:11 PM »

I filled a dozen 24oz soda pop bottles with mortar tonight.
Beer cans and soup cans tomorrow.
Golf-balls in stock.
Hmmm. Hand gonne ? Need some 3/4" copper tubing cut up.

VA Rifleman · « **Reply #41 on:** September 20, 2012, 08:26:26 AM »

Guys, Wish I could attend and blast 2.25" holes in some hapless target but this weekend is also the Tidewater Region's (NSSA) 1st fall shoot. We have a small team and will be one man short for this shoot. Need to support my team mates just as they support me when it comes time for artillery competition at Fort Shenandoah.

Respectfully VA Rifleman

rampa room artillery · « **Reply #42 on:** September 20, 2012, 01:28:26 PM »

wish i could come, but money or lack of money will keep me from coming out there. i am saving money for next year tho, that way we can have a blast.

rick bryan

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #43 on:** September 20, 2012, 02:31:30 PM »

Bruce, Rick -
Good to hear from you!
Looks like you both have fun activities planned too!

Be safe, have fun and keep us posted.

seacoastartillery · « **Reply #44 on:** September 21, 2012, 03:45:23 AM »

Got a late start on Wednesday, but did 900 miles yesterday, so we are getting close. We will have plenty of time to buy a big jug of line snapping chalk dust on Friday and fill a few thick plastic sweet tea jugs with water, etc. Didn't get a chance to try out the new iron/brass sights on the 7" Brooke yet, so shooting could be a bit wild for a few shots, but what the heck, we will aim real low and probably hit the paper somewhere! Can't wait to see the 4.5" Mortar, Tim. You are an artist with that piece as we recall! Maybe we will see the mountain rifles next year, certainly hope so!

Tracy and Mike

KABAR2 · « **Reply #45 on:** September 21, 2012, 05:20:16 AM »

I am afraid I will be missing this one also..... I have some personal issues that need my full attention so I will be staying close to home......

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #46 on:** September 21, 2012, 09:32:16 AM »

Allen - we'll catch up with you next time! Priorities are priorities and fun sometimes comes in 2nd.

M&T - I'll be getting to the 'range' before the 9am start of the pistol/rifle shooting. SInce there will be shooting over the drive coming it, it will be clearly marked and blocked. Next entry time will be around Noon - for lunch. We will work something out were we are in good vision of eachother for any late-comers.

As always it's planned to be laid back and casual, but safe.

I'll try not to be too creative balistically too.

Shooting - dropping a high arched path of flight round into the pond will be rewarding.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #47 on:** September 21, 2012, 04:22:25 PM »

All is quiet on the Eastern front.

little seacoast · « **Reply #48 on:** September 22, 2012, 05:07:22 AM »

CW, I hate to have to tell you this but I only made it to Jonesboro this morning before having a Jeep failure. The wife came and got me and the Jeep will probably have to sit until Monday when they will have the part they need. Darn it. Please give my regards to all and I will mail you and Dale the packages Monday. Regretfully, LS

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #49 on:** September 22, 2012, 11:18:30 AM »

Pete !
Sorry to hear of the breakdown! The rib-eye was excellent, you were missed.
Pictures AFTER I clean up the mortars.
Tim K

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #50 on:** September 22, 2012, 12:30:49 PM »

Here's a shot from the 24 oz soda-pop bottle caliber mortar - range in excess of 300-400 yards.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #51 on:** September 22, 2012, 02:06:39 PM »

Here's Dale using the tourch to solder something to his head. Well, maybe is was to light the fuse.

Note the Brook in full recoil position.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #52 on:** September 22, 2012, 02:14:04 PM »

Mike and Tracy setting up the Brook.

Note two arrows. Lager is the 200 yd distant pond with we were shooting at with the mortars, smaller arrow is pointing near the MILK JUGS - the targets for the Brook at 300 yards. Both were hit.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #53 on:** September 22, 2012, 02:17:12 PM »

Took an hour to load the truck (and unload and clean too).

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #54 on:** September 22, 2012, 02:22:56 PM »

Dan A. (for scale) large arrow is were Brooks was set up, small arrow is about where the 300yd target was set up.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #55 on:** September 22, 2012, 02:25:38 PM »

Cutting up rib-eye is SERIOUS work.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #56 on:** September 22, 2012, 02:32:55 PM »

In summary - good time. Lots of work, everyone pitched in, some folks lit the fuse for the first time, good food, great hosts and great company.

And when I got home my wife said that there was another skunk in the trap. 27 trapped this year.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #57 on:** September 22, 2012, 02:42:38 PM »

And one more.
The two master craftsmen.
The magnificent seacoast cannon.

Thanks, M&T !!!

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #58 on:** September 23, 2012, 03:30:10 AM »

And this one (#27 for the year, #49 career total) was in the trap when I got home!

Looks small but weighed in at 5 lbs.

Double D · « **Reply #59 on:** September 23, 2012, 07:16:57 AM »

Catch and release, or fertilizer?