5 Things Every First Timer Needs to Know About Artillery Shells


The first time someone fired artillery shells at a backyard party I was at, half the crowd flinched. Not because anything went wrong. Because the break was that big, that loud, and that high up. Nobody expected a legal consumer firework to look that good.

Artillery shells are the product that turns a decent backyard show into something people actually talk about the next day. But a lot of first timers buy them without knowing what they are getting into. This guide fixes that.

1. What Artillery Shells Actually Are

An artillery shell kit has two parts. A reusable heavy duty mortar tube and a set of individual pyrotechnic shells you load one at a time.

Here is how it works:

  • Place the mortar tube on flat stable ground pointing straight up
  • Drop one shell into the tube fuse end up
  • Light the fuse with a lighter or punk
  • Walk away fast, at least 20 to 30 feet minimum
  • The shell lifts, climbs 100 to 200 feet, then breaks into a burst of color and sound

That's it. The mechanics are simple. The results are not.

The break at the top is what separates artillery shells from everything else in the consumer fireworks category. A quality shell produces a wide, bright, full spread of stars that hangs in the air for a second or two before fading. It looks and sounds like something from a professional display.

2. The Different Types of Artillery Shells You Will See

Not all shells do the same thing. Here is what the main types look like.

Single break shells:

  • Fire up, break once into a single burst of color
  • Clean and classic
  • Great for steady paced shows

Double break shells:

  • Fire up, produce a smaller first effect, then break again into a bigger burst
  • The second break is usually louder and wider than the first
  • Crowd favorites because of the surprise second hit

Specialty effect shells:

  • Crackle breaks that produce a sustained crackling sound after the burst
  • Color changing breaks that shift from one color to another mid air
  • Titanium salute shells that are mostly loud report with minimal visual effect, basically a sky cannon

Most artillery shell kits sold online include a mix of these types. Better kits from established brands will tell you exactly how many of each type are in the box.

3. How to Read the Product Listing Before You Buy

This is where most people go wrong. They look at the picture, see the price, and buy without reading the actual product details.

Here is what to check before adding any artillery shell kit to your cart:

  • Shell count: How many individual shells come in the kit? Standard kits range from 6 to 24 shells. Premium kits can go higher.
  • Mortar tube quality: Is the tube included or sold separately? Is it a single tube or multi tube rack? Rack style tubes let you set up multiple shots without repositioning.
  • Break size: Look for descriptions like "3 inch shell" or "60mm shell." Bigger diameter generally means wider break and higher altitude.
  • Brand name: Excalibur, World Class, Brothers, and Phantom all make reliable artillery shells with consistent performance. No brand name on the label is a warning sign.
  • Effect descriptions: A good listing tells you what color effects, sound effects, and break type each shell produces. Vague listings that just say "assorted effects" give you no useful information.

4. Safety Rules That Are Not Optional

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission publishes official fireworks safety guidelines. For artillery shells specifically, here are the things that actually matter.

Before you fire:

  • Never use a mortar tube that is cracked, bent, or shows any damage
  • Plant the tube in sand or secure it against something that keeps it upright
  • Never hold the mortar tube while firing, ever
  • Keep spectators at least 30 feet back
  • Have a bucket of water nearby for duds

During your show:

  • Light one shell at a time
  • Never lean over the tube to check if a shell fired
  • If a shell does not fire within 30 seconds, wait an additional 30 seconds before approaching slowly and soaking the dud in water
  • Never try to relight a dud shell

After you are done:

  • Soak all used tubes and dud shells in water before throwing away
  • Never put used fireworks materials in a trash can without soaking first

These are not suggestions. They are the difference between a great night and a trip to the emergency room.

5. How to Build a Show Around Artillery Shells

Artillery shells work best when they are part of a bigger show, not the whole thing. Here is a simple show structure that works really well for backyard events.

Opening sequence:

  • Start with fountains and sparklers to get the crowd engaged
  • Low and close effects first

Middle section:

  • Bring in 200g aerial cakes for sustained multi shot sequences
  • Mix in roman candles for ground level color between aerial bursts

Artillery shell segments:

  • Fire artillery shells in groups of 3 to 5 with a few seconds between each
  • Use single break shells early in the segment
  • Save double break and crackle shells for the end of each group

Grand finale:

  • Rapid fire your remaining artillery shells
  • Overlap timing slightly so breaks overlap in the sky
  • End with your loudest or most dramatic shell type

This kind of structure keeps the crowd engaged from start to finish. A show that starts big and stays big loses its impact fast. Build toward it.

How to Order Artillery Shells Online Without Getting Burned

A few quick things to know about buying artillery shells from an online fireworks store.

  • Artillery shells ship via LTL ground freight due to DOT hazmat classifications
  • Delivery takes 3 to 10 business days depending on your location
  • Order at least 2 to 3 weeks before your event
  • Check state laws before ordering because some states restrict shell diameter or powder weight even within federally legal limits

Where We Come In

We at Fireworkstore.com have carried artillery shells for decades. We stock kits from manufacturers we have actually tested and trust, including multi break options, specialty effect shells, and rack style setups for buyers who want a more professional firing experience.

Our product listings include real effect descriptions, shot counts, and shell specifications so you are never guessing what you are buying. We ship ground freight with transparent cost estimates before checkout and we offer local pickup for customers who want their shells in hand the same day.

If artillery shells are on your list this season, we have the selection and the experience to make sure you get the right ones.