This past Sunday I went to the South African Miniature Cannon Club monthly shoot at Isipingo a suburb of Durban. Let me tell you these Ladies and Gentlemen are some serious cannon shooters. There were 12 guns on the line for the First relay.
Cannons were in both Naval Gun and Field Gun pattern.
This field gun was the oldest cannon on the line and has been shooting in club matches for over 20 years.
(BB that white container is an RSA powder container)
These fellows use the old traditional sighting method...look down the barrel...and it works!!
Some shooters use a false muzzle to help aim.
The course of fire is 6 rounds at 25 meters.
Maximum caliber is .577 and the cannons are loaded like a muzzle loading rifle.
The club controls the powder and issues it and the balls to the shooter. Priming power that is a mixture of smokeless and black powder is also provided.
Once all cannons are loaded and aimed in the, the range safety officer walks down the line with a linstock and fires each gun.
Here is a link to the short 40 second movie of the opening volley. If you are on dial up you might not want to try this one
Opening Volley[/color]Here is a link to the
S A Cannon Club Album[/color] for more pictures.
These were a very nice bunch of people and I thank them for their hospitality.
