I teach a "patrol rifle" class at the PD. When we have the class I always take out something that is blackpowder. This time was the mortar. 3 1/8 inch bore made of steel. I typically shoot 75-120 grains of 3f. Using 3 inch wooden balls (about 6oz) we have a lot of short range fun. If we loose a ball, its biodegradable.
At lunch break I went through crew positions with attendees. We set up at 50 yards and used the target stand as our mortar target. Wind was head on about 10-15 kts and was a hassle with the 6oz balls. Did make for some good hangtime.
After about 6 rounds, I switched over to using quills instead of loose powder for prime. The quills saw an increase in range of about 15 yards. The ignition was faster as the little jet of fire shooting down the straw ignited more efficiently. I had never tried quills in the mortar but use them in my Hail Gonne exclusively.
All had a good time and they had a bunch of questions.
At lunch break I went through crew positions with attendees. We set up at 50 yards and used the target stand as our mortar target. Wind was head on about 10-15 kts and was a hassle with the 6oz balls. Did make for some good hangtime.
After about 6 rounds, I switched over to using quills instead of loose powder for prime. The quills saw an increase in range of about 15 yards. The ignition was faster as the little jet of fire shooting down the straw ignited more efficiently. I had never tried quills in the mortar but use them in my Hail Gonne exclusively.
All had a good time and they had a bunch of questions.
