Explorer,
Thanks for the post and photo. The mortar looks like fun !
A lot of folks are surprised by how accurate those old guns can be if they are in decent condition and loaded properly.
I used to shoot competitively with black powder cartridge rifles at distances out to 500 meters, aiming at silhouettes in the shapes of different animals.
Most of the guns used were more sporting than military style, but still used cartridges like the 45-70 Government loaded with black powder and lead bullets ONLY.
It was amazing how the better shooters could consistantly knock down 10 ram sized targets in a row at 500M distance with nothing more than a set of cross sticks to support the barrel.
And the bullets were going so slow, if the sun was right,and you were using a spotting scope,you could actually see a silver-grey streak arc through the air toward the target !!
I think the muzzle velocity was in the neighborhood of about 1100 FPS.
When I shot at that distance, I could literally fire the gun, and lay it down before I would hear the CLANG of the bullet hitting the mark.
BUT don't think those old guns were weaklings !!
I used to pick up 500 grain lead slugs that looked like poker chips after hitting the steel targets.
Those bullets may be slow, but they are heavy; and could drop a buffalo at 400 yards if the shot was placed right.