First Mortar - ‘BNA Eprouvette’

[GrantLee63]

Hello,

First time poster .....

Thinking about getting into this interesting aspect of burning powder and am considering getting a  ‘BNA Eprouvette’ - either in cast iron or bronze from Beaufort Naval Armorers.  It seems as if most members here home-brew their own, but I'm just curious if any of you purchased one of these, and if so, what do you have to say about it?  Their website indicates a price of $220 - including shipping for the cast iron version, but no price is given for the bronze version.  

Whady'a Think?  Thanks in advance .....

[Cat Whisperer]

Hello,

First time poster .....

Thinking about getting into this interesting aspect of burning powder and am considering getting a  ‘BNA Eprouvette’ - either in cast iron or bronze from Beaufort Naval Armorers.  It seems as if most members here home-brew their own, but I'm just curious if any of you purchased one of these, and if so, what do you have to say about it?  Their website indicates a price of $220 - including shipping for the cast iron version, but no price is given for the bronze version.  

Whady'a Think?  Thanks in advance .....

WELCOME DUDE!

I was just looking at an Eprouvette on the network, but it's been some time since I've been on BNA's site.  Obviously bronze would be much more expensive.  

There are a lot of vocal folks here that build their own, but lots of others that aren't into but just the launching of big heavy cannon balls.

Perhaps someone else has had experience ....

Consider available ammo when it comes time to choose the caliber.

[John N]

GrantLee63,

BEAUFORT NAVAL ARMORERS is advertising 3 versions of their Eprouvette mortar over on GunsAmerica: cast iron, machined iron and bronze.

http://www.gunsamerica.com/fast.cgi?guncat=1246

They are asking $20 more for the cast iron version than is listed on their website, so you might save a couple of bucks dealing directly with them for the bronze version ($395 + shipping price listed on GunsAmerica).

[Soot Sucker]

Hello and welcome Grant/Lee,

I had both of these mortars from BNA. I first had the ductile iron mortar $220 shipped (when I purchased it) The outside surface of the mortar was pretty smooth for a cast iron piece, and the bore was perfectly smooth. It's a very solid piece. It weighs aprox 9 1/2 lbs. It is bored to 1.70 so there is not a lot of windage to spare. however this tight bore really helps launch the golf ball out there.  My nephew liked it so much I gave it to him for his birthday. I then purchased BNA's Bronze mortar. Basically designed the same as the iron mortar but alittle smaller in scale (about 10%) It weighs about 7 lbs but is very strong! It is made of dense manganese bronze it is super polished both inside and out. Machined perfectly. Even though it is smaller than the ductile iron version mentioned above. The bronze version is actually stronger. I proof tested the bronze mortar with 250 grains of FFFG and plugged the muzzle with a #22 or #23 cork (snug NOT tight) I used a long fuse and ran like hell behind an earthen berm. I could not believe the "gawd awful" loud report. It honestly was as loud as a full size cannon I have seen fired. The cork (just snug in the bore) held back the "pressure wave" just long enough to make for a very very LOUD report. I do NOT  recommend this procedure... for if the cork is too tight you may have just made a hand grenade. This is very dangerous and I never did try it again.

Although it is alot more money than the iron mortar... I recommend the bronze mortar. It's super strong, expertly machined and a neat little, easily handled piece.

Give "Jim" (the owner) of BNA a call. He really knows his "stuff" about mortars and cannons and is a really nice guy to talk to.

Regards, and again.....Welcome to the board!

Dave