I just wanted to share this pic of my Coehorn. If you look carefully, you can see a Diet Coke can full of concrete heading down range.
![0D27E8E3-06B4-4F3A-A0EB-9822849D0C10.jpeg 0D27E8E3-06B4-4F3A-A0EB-9822849D0C10.jpeg](https://cdn2.imagearchive.com/muzzleloadingforum/data/attach/379/379699-0D27E8E3-06B4-4F3A-A0EB-9822849D0C10.jpeg)
Thanks,Really nice looking mortar and a great picture caught just at the precise time.
Diet Coke, Does that mean a reduced charge over the full strength regular Coke ??
I will have to check it out. I’m sure I could get more range....Rotometals has pop can size zinc round balls.
Sounds like a fun day. I just bought a golf ball size mortar to go along with this one. When it warms up, there will definitely be a bombardment of Siam (Tennessee).Be careful what you wish for. More range means more recoil and recoil breaks carriages. Ask me how I know.
100 yards is optimum. That's the distance they shoot at N-SSA matches while aiming at a post. They score by measuring how far each ball lands from the post.
For recreational shooting set a pallet up on edge and see if you can hit it. It isn't easy, but can be done.
The Zinc balls ar not cheap. But unlike lead and popcans they are recoverable and reusable. https://www.rotometals.com/zinc-cannon-ball-pop-can-mortar-2-59-with-gates-you-clean-and-grind/
I just wanted to share this pic of my Coehorn. If you look carefully, you can see a Diet Coke can full of concrete heading down range.View attachment 379543
I have not tried anything but the pop cans. I ordered some zinc balls today and I am looking forward to trying them. I make my own powder so I have been busy in preparation for the siege that is about to take place. I’ll have to research the fireworks shell.Have you considered trying a fireworks "shell" fired from the coehorn? The angle might be a bit shallow but a "shell" that size would probably be pretty spectacular when it bursts downrange! The key of course would be to get a shell sized very close to the diameter of the coehorn.
LD
Would you consider adopting me?Rotometals has zinc golf balls.
I have had a bowling ball mortar, a 6 PDR mortar, several popcan mortars and some golf ball mortars.
The bowling ball mortar shot a 15 lb ball a measured 1.04 miles, and several balls beyond that never found, never verified. They went beyond the end of of the 2 mile long fallow wheat field into the CRP grass and we couldn't find them. When I moved to OK I longer had place to shoot this mortar so I sold it to some guys in ND who are making good use of it. This gun could be shot buy one person, if they were young. I am no longer young. This mortar was made with the KISS method style somewhat like the British 8 inch siege mortar on a traveling carriage.
The 6PDR was a bit much for one old guy to handle so it went to ND also. It was made on the Confederate pattern. It is a turn barrel made from 4140. This barrel was originally turned as a pop can mortar and was later open up to 6PDR.
My first popcan mortar was made from plans published Guns Magazine back in the late 1970's. It was made from a piece of steel left over from making a propeller shaft for an ocean going tug boat. After breaking the carriage on this gun, I learned that the N-SAA guidelines of 2 ozs of cannon grade per inch referred to powder chamber not bore. Never did find that lead ball. Stuck with popcans full of cement for a long time until I got the roundball mould and cast zinc balls.
I have built two popcan mortars turning from round stock. I should say had them turned, my lathe is not big enough to hold the stock. One of these was from the Guns magazine plans and was traded of years ago, The second turned barrel was later opened up to make the 6 PDR .
I also bought two turned popcan mortars from Dominic Carpenter. One of these Carpenter mortars also went to ND. THe other was claimed by my wife.Both of these are Dictators.
I made four additional popcan mortars. three in confederate pattern and one in 1841 Seacoast pattern. These were made using the KISS method. One is in AZ, one in NY, and one in ND. I kept the Seacoast.
I have made 8 golf ball mortars using the kiss method in Confederate pattern. I have one left, but the rest are scattered all over the country. One of these also went to ND as well as all the parts to make barrel and carriage for another. One went to South Africa and is now in UK. I made a couple turned golf ball mortars and passed them on to friends.
Golf ball mortars are fun, but I like the popcan size the best. They are big enough to impress and small enough to be handled by one old man.
Would you consider adopting me?Rotometals has zinc golf balls.
I have had a bowling ball mortar, a 6 PDR mortar, several popcan mortars and some golf ball mortars.
The bowling ball mortar shot a 15 lb ball a measured 1.04 miles, and several balls beyond that never found, never verified. They went beyond the end of of the 2 mile long fallow wheat field into the CRP grass and we couldn't find them. When I moved to OK I longer had place to shoot this mortar so I sold it to some guys in ND who are making good use of it. This gun could be shot buy one person, if they were young. I am no longer young. This mortar was made with the KISS method style somewhat like the British 8 inch siege mortar on a traveling carriage.
The 6PDR was a bit much for one old guy to handle so it went to ND also. It was made on the Confederate pattern. It is a turn barrel made from 4140. This barrel was originally turned as a pop can mortar and was later open up to 6PDR.
My first popcan mortar was made from plans published Guns Magazine back in the late 1970's. It was made from a piece of steel left over from making a propeller shaft for an ocean going tug boat. After breaking the carriage on this gun, I learned that the N-SAA guidelines of 2 ozs of cannon grade per inch referred to powder chamber not bore. Never did find that lead ball. Stuck with popcans full of cement for a long time until I got the roundball mould and cast zinc balls.
I have built two popcan mortars turning from round stock. I should say had them turned, my lathe is not big enough to hold the stock. One of these was from the Guns magazine plans and was traded of years ago, The second turned barrel was later opened up to make the 6 PDR .
I also bought two turned popcan mortars from Dominic Carpenter. One of these Carpenter mortars also went to ND. THe other was claimed by my wife.Both of these are Dictators.
I made four additional popcan mortars. three in confederate pattern and one in 1841 Seacoast pattern. These were made using the KISS method. One is in AZ, one in NY, and one in ND. I kept the Seacoast.
I have made 8 golf ball mortars using the kiss method in Confederate pattern. I have one left, but the rest are scattered all over the country. One of these also went to ND as well as all the parts to make barrel and carriage for another. One went to South Africa and is now in UK. I made a couple turned golf ball mortars and passed them on to friends.
Golf ball mortars are fun, but I like the popcan size the best. They are big enough to impress and small enough to be handled by one old man.
Have you considered trying a fireworks "shell" fired from the coehorn? The angle might be a bit shallow but a "shell" that size would probably be pretty spectacular when it bursts downrange! The key of course would be to get a shell sized very close to the diameter of the coehorn.
LD
Did you make that?Great photo!! I also have a pop can mortar.
View attachment 380210
I have not been able to find any documentation on original loads. What loads do you suggest?
Thanks
Ironhand