Loudest ?

[Ramrod]

Hi everyone. The recent Fourth of July festivities brought up an interesting question. I have never seen a mortar fired, but have seen several cannon. For saluting purposes, which is louder ? I don't mean which can be heard the farthest, I'm talking about that deep, low, concussion, you feel as much as hear. Any thoughts?

[Cat Whisperer]

There is nothing like the SHORT barrel of a mortar and the muzzel blast of a shock wave traveling through you to get your attention!  OK, 155mm Howizers do it too.

Long barrels are efficeint in burning a little powder and getting great velocities.  Short barrels use faster burning powder to attain some velocity in the short time available - hence the greater muzzel blast.

Long barrel mortars use a little powder, slow velocity, high arching path of flight and a dull 'thooonk' when firing.