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Early grenades weighed about three pounds, apparently, and were generally thrown by tall, strong men. I haven't been able to find a figure on how far they were normally thrown, at what range they were considered effective.

Does anyone know how far grenades could be thrown by hand, in the 17th (and early 18th) century?

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    Just for reference, modern shot put competitors throw a 16lb shot (i.e. about the same size but 5 times heavier) up to 75ft. This is, however, the result of continued practise and development of their technique.
    – KillingTime
    Jan 2, 2018 at 10:00
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    @KillingTime: Shot putters do NOT throw the shot; they put it (from a position couched by the neck and shoulder). This is a very particular action, and quite different, for example, from the cricket-throw (a windmill type action) used to throw a grenade. This latter technique is easier to learn, more accurate, does not require spinning, and possibly produces greater distance.
    – Pieter Geerkens
    Jan 2, 2018 at 10:20
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    Run the experiment by throwing a 3 pound stone and see how far it goes?
    – Denis de Bernardy
    Jan 2, 2018 at 11:36
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    I was trained in the army to throw a modern hand grenade (less than a pound) at least 35 meters. I doubt if you can throw a 3 pound grenade that far.
    – Jos
    Jan 7, 2018 at 1:59
  • What if you are using coconuts? Or if your grenade weighs more than a duck?
    – Robert Columbia ♦
    Jun 22, 2018 at 16:28

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