The more I dig into this the less I know. I'm considering buying one BUT my hope is to be able to lob and then drop the balls about 100-150 yards downrange. I'm NOT looking to launch them out of sight. I know that in ML rifles and pistols you don't want a gap between powder and ball. I don't have a death wish, so I ASSUME the same is true for a mortar. Some posters say to not use anything between powder and ball, that windage is good and that tight-fitting balls in the tube will increase pressure and risk. Others say to use bread, damp newspaper, cloth patches to hold the ball in place. One of the mortars I'm researching has a powder chamber and the company (cannonfuse.com) which is very helpful, recommend 90-115 grains and to tamp down the powder in the chamber. That's way more BP than I want to use. They also said that lighter, unspecified amount, charges can be used but to pound it tight in the chamber then use bread for wadding and to tap that down tight for a good seal. While they didn't specifically say, I think they really promote the 90 and > loads and going lighter will not yield good results. The maker of the other gun I'm considering (trailrockordnance.com) has not replied to two emails, one to each of their email addresses, and a phone call to them gave a Mailbox is full message, so I don't know if their mortar has a powder chamber or what their recommendations might be. The only load reference online about their mortar cites 20 grains, but also says something about 300 yards. I believe that 20 grain load was an error they overlooked in the advertisement, but without being able to get in touch with them I don't know. If anyone has either of these particular mortars and can post info as to how you shoot them, I would appreciate it.
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