It finally quit raining enough out here in So Cal to get out to the range and play some more with my half scale Napoleon. Only got off 9 shots, but had a heck of a lot of fun doing it.
Last time (and the first time I'd ever fired this cannon) I was limited to around 40 yards due to other range activity. Today I was able to get out to around 110 yards. Used a cardboard box for a target, probably 18" by 14" in size. Never did actually hit it, but sure came within an inch or two during the final shots.
Sighting is with a vertical pin near the muzzle for a front sight and an adjustable ladder type sight rescued from a 1903 Springfield rifle epoxied on near the fuze hole.
I'm using a 40oz ball (aprox 2.25" dia) cast from wheelweight and 400gr Fg. Recoil is about 18" on level ground. 400gr might be a bit on the light side as with the sun at my back I can actually see the ball in flight for the last few yards. I'm inclined to stay with the lighter charge though as there is no way that I would be overstressing the carriage.... don't really want to be buying another set of wheels.
With any luck will be able to go back out and play again for a while tomorrow.
