Ok guys, for those who looovvveee the big bang and clouds of smoke, we're going to have our National competition again on 18-22 May in Winchester VA. This ain't a reenactment, no siree, it's full on, competition live fire. Part of what we shoot are Civil War small arms, but the rest, well, it's guns, howitzers and mortars! All with live fire. Visitors are welcome and entry is free. As to whether or not your wallet will survive unscathed on Sutler Row is up to you.
So a bit of video is in order
Mortar fun!
Artillery fun! And yup, the guns do recoil-
And a general overview from Scheutzen powder. I'm in this one but just one of a cast of thousands. It has shots of pretty much all of a N-SSA Nationals including Sutler Row. Thanks to Tambi at Scheutzen for the video production!
And yes, I'm on a gun crew. We compete with a 6lb rifled howitzer. I'm in the Glengarry on Position 2. My oldest son, newly retired from the USAF is on Position 1. The gun is a full size howitzer of a type used by cavalry in rough terrain. Note the "arched" item over the trunnions. It's vital piece of kit that isn't original to the period. It's a level to ensure the gun is level each time we return it to battery after each shot. Being in level is critical to accuracy.
Our gun captain taking final aim.
And X RING!! Perfect shot.
Check out Relay 2 being staged for a National competition. The artillery match is shot in 2 relays of about 15-20 guns each. You don't see this much live fire Civil War artillery being shot live anywhere else in the country.
So a bit of video is in order
Mortar fun!
Artillery fun! And yup, the guns do recoil-
And a general overview from Scheutzen powder. I'm in this one but just one of a cast of thousands. It has shots of pretty much all of a N-SSA Nationals including Sutler Row. Thanks to Tambi at Scheutzen for the video production!
And yes, I'm on a gun crew. We compete with a 6lb rifled howitzer. I'm in the Glengarry on Position 2. My oldest son, newly retired from the USAF is on Position 1. The gun is a full size howitzer of a type used by cavalry in rough terrain. Note the "arched" item over the trunnions. It's vital piece of kit that isn't original to the period. It's a level to ensure the gun is level each time we return it to battery after each shot. Being in level is critical to accuracy.
Our gun captain taking final aim.
And X RING!! Perfect shot.
Check out Relay 2 being staged for a National competition. The artillery match is shot in 2 relays of about 15-20 guns each. You don't see this much live fire Civil War artillery being shot live anywhere else in the country.
