Couple of questions on shooting Brown Bess

[fireman1]

I picked up a nice used Pedersoli Brown Bess at the beginning of the covid business but between some injuries that required surgery, rehab, getting covid and a couple of other things I have not shot it yet. I plan to head out this week and shoot it. I do have a couple of questions.

1. Can I prime with the same FFg that I use for the main charge? It seems fine to do it that way since that is what was done historically.

2. How low a low end charge to start? I tend to do this with all my BP/C&B stuff. It works out well for me.

3. I'm using 2F powder but I might have a source for 1-1/2 Fg. Too large?

4. I have 2 sizes of ball for both patched and unpatched. Grease the unpatched ball or just drop it in?

Thanks!

 

[hawkeye2]

I found the most accurate load for mine was 85 grains of 2f which included priming. I would think 1-1/2 fg would work. 2f priming worked every time for me but it seemed to be a little slower than 4f but that could be my imagination. Handling an unpatched greased ball is going to be awfully messy.

 

[Grenadier1758]

@fireman1, some quick answers to your questions.

1. You can use the 2fg powder or the 1.5g powder as priming powder. The Pedersoli Bess has a large touch hole and the furious fire from that coarse powder burning in the pan will set the main charge off.

2. You can go as low as 65 grains, but most low end loads of 80 grain of powder will prove acceptable.

3. 1 1/2 fg powder is not too large. For that matter 1fg powder is not too large.

4. You have lots of flexibility in how you load a ball. I use the wraps from a paper cartridge. I have also used a lubricated cotton patch. A wad of tow, an over powder card with a fiber wad then the ball and topped with a wad of tow or an over shot card works. An unpatched ball will result in a lot of fouling, but will be easy to load and the fouling will hold the ball at the breech.

 

[fireman1]

I found the most accurate load for mine was 85 grains of 2f which included priming. I would think 1-1/2 fg would work. 2f priming worked every time for me but it seemed to be a little slower than 4f but that could be my imagination. Handling an unpatched greased ball is going to be awfully messy.

Hawkeye.....well that would be messy! I was actually thinking I might get some .75" ID tubing and lube the balls then store them in the tube. They "should" squeeze out of the tube and drop in the barrel.

I will start a bit under 85 grains and then go up.

 

[fireman1]

@fireman1, some quick answers to your questions.

1. You can use the 2fg powder or the 1.5g powder as priming powder. The Pedersoli Bess has a large touch hole and the furious fire from that coarse powder burning in the pan will set the main charge off.

2. You can go as low as 65 grains, but most low end loads of 80 grain of powder will prove acceptable.

3. 1 1/2 fg powder is not too large. For that matter 1fg powder is not too large.

4. You have lots of flexibility in how you load a ball. I use the wraps from a paper cartridge. I have also used a lubricated cotton patch. A wad of tow, an over powder card with a fiber wad then the ball and topped with a wad of tow or an over shot card works. An unpatched ball will result in a lot of fouling, but will be easy to load and the fouling will hold the ball at the breech.

Thanks for the info on loads and about the touch hole. Given the state of the BP supply right now, it's nice to have that flexibility powder.

What thickness patch that is easy to find? Like what can I go buy at JoAnn fabrics? I know zero about patches, wad, cards etc.

Actually, I would really like to shoot it with paper cartridges. Do you have trusted youtube link or other source that I can learn about making cartridges for the Bess? I watch a lot of BritishMuzzleloaders but I don't recall him doing a video on paper cartridges.

Thanks!!

 

[Walton]

Duelist1954 has a good video on paper cartridges.



As well as a follow-up shooting them.

Cartridge kits to get started at basics

http://veteranarms.com/ReproductionMuzzleloadersandFlintlocks/Cartridge-Making-Kits.html