2F or 3F in your Bess?

[mikee51848]

I started using 3F (cause I ran out of 2F) in my Bess at re-enactments. Thought it would also help with ignition since we all use paper cartridges. What do you use?

 

[musketman]

I started using 3F (cause I ran out of 2F) in my Bess at re-enactments. Thought it would also help with ignition since we all use paper cartridges. What do you use?

As long as its for re-enactments, I see no issues with using FFFg in your paper cartridges...

I myself, don't like using FFFg with a patched roundball because I get a lot of burned through patches with it, no matter what I lube them with unless I have an over-powder card between them...

I use FFg or even Fg when shooting ball from my bess...

Sinces the question was about re-enactments and blanks, FFFg will work just fine and it'll burn cleaner too...

One more thing, FFFg will yeild more powder than FFg will in the same powder measure setting (the grains are smaller and pack in tighter), so reduce your load by 15% to get the same results...

 

[Leonredbeard]

Wildathart,
I have a friend who shoots 3fg exclusively in all his guns, including a Bess, a short barreled .72, and a Bess carbine. He claims it all does very well. He never reenacts. He shoots roundball all the time at target and hunting.
God bless.
volatpluvia

 

[pathfinderifh]

I too use 3f in both my Bess's. I've used 2f before and it works just as well,but most of my other guns use 3f and I like to keep it simple. Cut down the load @ 15-20% when going from 2 to 3f :grin: Pathfinder

 

[riarcher]

I don't do re-enactments, but for my target and hunting loads I prefer the 2Fg. As with others, 3Fg burns my patch and gives me a very hard "crud ring" just above where the ball seats. Perhaps it's imagined, but it also seems like 2Fg has a bit more mellowed push/kick at higher loads.

 

[Swampman]

90 grains of 3F works perfectly. Most people shot too large a ball and too thin a patch.

 

[weirdjack]

Perhaps it's imagined, but it also seems like 2Fg has a bit more mellowed push/kick at higher loads.

It's not imagined at all. The slower burn if 2F gives a more gentle push than 3F. I've been experimenting a lot lately with both 2F and 3F in my .702 fowler. I prefer 2F in it for this reason. Even at low plinking loads of 55 grains the difference is noticable (adjusting for granulation).
I've also noticed a more evenly distributed fouling residue up the barrel with 2F, rather than the ring above the ball type fouling from 3F. A generous 51" barrel length gives the 2F lots of room to burn off. Reloading without swabbing is easy....not so easy with 3F's more compact hard ring residue.
Jack

 

[pathfinderifh]

Could'nt have said it better myself :thumbsup: Pathfinder

 

[mike alexandre]

Agreed on the above posts. 90gFF .720 ball .020 patch with moose snot and I've been adding a felt wad dipped in wonder lube. Bess seems to like that. fff is for shotguns.