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  1. mhb

    Mortimer...

    At the gun show this weekend, I acquired a Pedersoli Mortimer flinter, complete and in fairly good condition - except: it is missing the barrel. It was cheap, though. So, my question: is there any hope of acquiring a factory barrel for it, or am I going to have to make one? Oh; and the...
  2. mhb

    Sanding rifling

    Ream it. That's the proper way to do the job. Aside from that, you would likely sand yourself into exhaustion and old age before you removed .015" deep rifling. And, since you will likely be using a reamer not actually designed and made for barrel reaming, you will likely find it wanders in...
  3. mhb

    Ferguson rifle

    Thanks, again, to those responding. For now, I'm going to experiment and try to find out what actually works best in my rifle. I already use a beeswax/Crisco lube for some of my breechloaders, and will use that. I'll report results as they are developed. mhb - MIke
  4. mhb

    Ferguson rifle

    Forrest: Thank you. As there would be some delay in obtaining the book, can you summarize what Mr. Bailey had to say about the subject: powder type/charge, bullet diameter, lubrication of bullet/breech threads, etc.? mhb - MIke
  5. mhb

    Ferguson rifle

    Dave, et.al.: Thanks for the additional input, though the recommendations are somewhat contradictory. I was hoping someone would have a historical reference on the original specifications as stated by Ferguson, himself. My own experience with undersized bullets in any rifled arm is that...
  6. mhb

    Ferguson rifle

    Thanks, all, for the additional input! The groove diameter of my barrel is .645", which is the nominal for the rifle, I believe. I can't imagine that a .615" ball would shoot very well in such a barrel, and am sure that Ferguson's intent and practice was the use of a full groove-diameter (or...
  7. mhb

    Ferguson rifle

    'Smoothie: Thanks for the input. My question about the powder charge was aimed at the amount, rather than type or granulation of the powder: it is easy enough to fill the chamber to overflowing and cut off the excess by closing the breech, but that seems unnecessarily wasteful. Your...
  8. mhb

    Ferguson rifle

    Thanks, Dave! I appreciate the info. I do have the proper .648" mold (the groove diameter is .645"), and spent an hour casting bullets this morning. I'll lubricate the breech screw and bullets, and, weather permitting, shoot the rifle tomorrow. mhb - MIke
  9. mhb

    Ferguson rifle

    I just acquired one of the Narragansett reproductions of the Ferguson rifle - #035 of their limited production. It has been fired, but is in practically new condition inside and out - and I certainly plan to shoot it. My questions, for anyone who has experience with one of these, are: What...
  10. mhb

    Pedersoli Bess Touch Hole Size

    No, except that I do not use cheap Chinese drill bits. I'd recommend name-brand U.S. made bits, of which there are still several makers, and that you check to make sure they are properly ground and sharp before use (they usually are, if of good quality). Check with MSC or one of the other...
  11. mhb

    Pedersoli Bess Touch Hole Size

    Actually, no machinery or power tools at all are required for enlarging a touchhole: I simply chuck the desired drill in a separate Jacobs chuck (unattached to anything), and, using the chuck as a convenient handle or knob, ream out the hole by hand. You can work slowly and carefully, there is...
  12. mhb

    Pedersoli Bess Touch Hole Size

    I could not find a good reference on the standard touchhole diameter for new, original Brown Bess muskets, though I have read that that diameter was often (intentionally) enlarged in service to procure more certain ignition or permit priming by leakage of the powder through the touchhole into...
  13. mhb

    Bullet mold

    My experience with my new Pedersoli Bess is that the bore diameter is exactly .750" - my original India Pattern measures .753". The original likes the .715" ball for paper cartridges, and I can shoot up to 20 rounds or more without significant difficulty with built-up fouling making loading...
  14. mhb

    Bore size.

    FWIW, the finished bore diameter has always been established by reaming, not by the initial drilling (or, historically, forging around a mandrel). The gun drill is several thousandths smaller than the desired final bore diameter, and most manufacturers use at least 2 reamers to bring the bore...
  15. mhb

    To dry to shoot?

    Nope. Can't agree. It should be returned in the condition it was when ejected: if you saw sparks when it flew, it should be returned the same way. Admittedly, there is some risk when flinging a lit butt you already retrieved: it might not land where you wanted it to go... Maybe the best...
  16. mhb

    Which Brown Bess?

    Having recently acquired a Pedersoli Short Land Pattern musket (after consultation with the members of the forum in an earlier thread), I can say that I am very pleased with it! I should have reported on it sooner, but was diverted, for a bit. I bought the musket from Cabela's, which may...
  17. mhb

    Brown Bess

    Dave: It isn't hard to accomplish a good result if you have the experience, confidence, and, in the case of stockmaking skills, a certain artistic sense - I don't, and envy those who do. I cannot but admire the results you achieved on your Bess. On the other hand, metalwork holds no terrors...
  18. mhb

    Brown Bess

    Dave: Thanks for the heads-up! I had seen the thread, and admired the effort you put into the project, as well as the results. I do not plan to attempt such a makeover, myself - my woodworking skills are in the 'rodent' category: that is, I can gnaw away, but it always ends-up looking like...
  19. mhb

    Brown Bess

    I certainly would have considered the Japanese Bess, but, alas, I could find none listed for sale (nor the Pedersoli) when I was looking for a used one. So... the new Pedersoli is on its way. mhb - MIke
  20. mhb

    Brown Bess

    Thanks for the user report! I will acquire some 1" flints to try in both my original Bess and the Pedersoli, when it arrives. mhb - MIke
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