Results
May 23, 2026
A total of 8 artillery pieces were out for the annual Memorial Weekend Cannon & Mortar shoot on May 23rd – along with several other noisemakers that kept the event lively and fun. Cannonballs, bowling balls, cement-filled beer cans, and even flying blacksmith anvils headed skyward for the day.
The weather was clear and beautiful, but the wind played havoc on shooters – especially the mortars. There were 5 cannon at the 200 yard line: 4 rifled guns and one smoothbore. Steve T. took honors at the cannon match with a respectable 77/100 score considering the wind factor. Scoring was best 10 of 12 rounds. Scores were as follows:
Mortars were underwhelming overall, with gusting winds dashing any hopes for the shooters of accurate shot placement at the 150 yard stake. Lenny S. won the match with a 36/100 score, a testament to the difficult shooting conditions.
Scoring was best 10 of 12 shots, with scores for the match as follows:
The higher the trajectory, the greater drift: Mike L. had the worst time with the wind – his 12-pound bowling balls strayed over 30 yards from the stake ! The closest round from all shooters was just over 24 feet from the stake . . . needless to say, there was no “closest-to-the-pin” awards for the day. Lenny S. was the only shooter to place inside the 42-foot diameter scoring circle; errant rounds were everywhere !
In addition to the competition, Mike L. brought his anvils out for an anvil firing demonstration . . . seeing a 75-pound anvil fly 30 feet straight up is always a great thing to see – especially when accompanied with a chest-thumping explosion. Steve’s Gatling Gun was also on the line, effectively stripping all of the paint from the 50-yard chicken swinging targets. . . . it was a fun way for everyone to practice home improvement chores the old-fashioned way !
Ojai Valley Gun Club is a permittee of the Los Padres National Forest
and is an Equal Opportunity Service Provider