SpudFiles

My mortar has a 2" thinwalled barrel, about 2.5' long. The chamber is the same length, but is 1.5"Sch40. Fuel (pneumatic) is unregged propane, and the valve is an unmodded sprinkler valve (with a special trigger system to give it a real mortar feel - I think the idea is posted someone one here). Configuration is over/under with adjustable (turnbuckle) bipod and built in angle scale (which is fancy for cheap protractor).

I wanted it to function as real to an actual mortar as possible, so I just drop in the sabot, and move my hand. When the sabot hits the bottom, which also hits the switch, it fires. The propane is constantly fed into the chamber, so I don't have to worry about any refills.

Velocity adjustment (yes, I did) is accomplished by the same method Tippmann uses - using turbulence interference. It works okay, but I would like to have an adjustable chamber (in the works) for a more effective one.

It fires buckshot and grenades mostly, but I use tracer rounds to get my angle right. I've also fired water balloons (I call them slugs), usually three at a time in one sabot. Nerf Mini's fire fine, but really have no use in a mortar unless they are designated a specific "kill" radius.

The launcher has a propane tank holder and the bipod folds. It can be carried via a sling, which is attached to it.

Dang Hubb! That sounds like one heck of a lethal combination.. Do you think we could get some pics of this thing?

How many shots can you get from a propane tank and how fast/far can you shoot?

The goal that i would like to reach is a discrete, unseen long-range accurate firing mortar that would shoot latex tubing filled with liquid paint (the goals are high i know)

It would be a sort of "sniper" (they dont exist with regular markers, even if some claim it). I might make an angle vs range chart after some testing and stick it on the gun. There would be a handwheel to adjust the angle accuratly.

Propane might be a good idea, as its cheaper then co2 ...
But as the whole project would cost me 200$, i need to be sure it would be practical and effective.

http://www.ramseys-paintball.com/images ... earm-1.jpg

This sort of grenade launcher would be good also, for closer quarter combats.

I did the same acouple years back. Though fields down here don't allow liquid ammo. Have to use nerf pocket rockets, an if a ref ant there. No one calls it.

Best i found for launching paint ballons is lube the barrel. An use some foam for a wadding. Green stuff from wal-mart craft section works, reusable, an goes about 20 feet.

The balloons were wet from filling from a standard sink nozzle. IIRC, sock wadding was used. I would suggest some kind of biodegradable paper to make a cartridge. We had some breaks in the barrel, which were serious setbacks, given it was an inline combustion using a flint type ignitor.

As to the pin you need, some kind of wooden skewer would work.

Mine cost me around $50. I can launch a small latex grenade around 100 or so feet at a 40 degree angle with it. A normal torch propane tank lets me go all day long.

Demon - if you're gonna put that much budget into it, you might as well go with regulated CO2.

Does it starts to smell propane of there is no wind?

Demon wrote:Does it starts to smell propane of there is no wind?

That is one of the biggest complaints I have with it. Also, because it uses propane, everyone who is not familiar with it begins to freak out and stuff, thinking I'm using a bomb or something.

Most fields either want CO2 or HPA, both of which have much more pressure in their containers than propane. Of course, I could easily stick a Palmer's with CO2 onto it (I set it up for this in case I ever decided to), but it's just easier and cheaper to use propane. Some could argue that, because of the lower pressure, it is safer too.