5 replies to this topic

[Caramanos2000]

I just recieved my 1" mortar set. I was wondering how much bp lift should be used to launch the 1" spherical shell and how should it be done? Should I have a fuse on the side and just dump bp in the mouth with the shells fuse resting on it or what?

[Mumbles]

I don't imagine more than a gram or two of lift will be needed. It's always a matter of experimentation. With shells this small, it would probably be best to side fuse the tube as you describe.

[madtrick]

I have the same question, as I have sidelit the 2g of powder in the mortar, and put my shell in with visco fuse touch the bp in the mortar, but the 2 times I have tried this, it hasn't ignited the fuse??

[Pretty green flames]

I have the same question, as I have sidelit the 2g of powder in the mortar, and put my shell in with visco fuse touch the bp in the mortar, but the 2 times I have tried this, it hasn't ignited the fuse??

You should try cutting the visco at an angle so there is a larger surface area of the powder core exposed. You could also try priming the fuse with a slurry of BP in nitrocellulose lacquer (Cut the fuse at an angle and dip it in the slurry)

[italteen3]

Your best bet is to side fuse it and get as close a fit as possible for the shell. For all small shells I have made cutting the fuse and priming with BP has never failed me yet.

[Bonny]

I have the same question, as I have sidelit the 2g of powder in the mortar, and put my shell in with visco fuse touch the bp in the mortar, but the 2 times I have tried this, it hasn't ignited the fuse??

I always cut the fuse on an angle and (usually) dip it in slurry. When time is short, I have simply dampened the end of the fuse by touching it on a wet rag and dipped the fuse in dry meal powder just before dropping the shell into the tube.