Indian Brown Bess

[Many Klatch]

I took a reenactor to the range today for his first time to actually put round ball in his Bess. The Bess appears to be one of the newer Indian makes. I took the lock apart before we went to the range, a lot of sloppy work but it seemed to adequate to the task of making sparks.

I only had .715 ball to use. The first two shots were a snug load with a .010 patching. We had to hammer the third load down. I had him switch to bare ball for the remaining shooting. After about 15 shots even the bare ball was too tight.

Any idea what size ball this gun might take? I don't know if there are any .700 balls available out there. I doubt that he will need to got to the trouble of getting a mold and a lead pot at this time.

Many Klatch

 

[cowpoke1955]

Many Klatch,
I don't know of any .700 molds, but Dixie does have .690 round ball molds by Lee and Lyman. It might work, just use a thicker patch. Just a thought

 

[rickystl]

If it's an India made gun mic the inside of the barrel first. These guns can be 2-3 calibers different than traditional.

 

[Rebel]

The one i had was actually closer to .72 cal./.12 ga. It took a .690 rd ball.

 

[paulvallandigham]

on all muzzle loading guns, no matter where they are made, you have to measure the bore to find out exactly what you have, as opposed to what may be on the barrel. Most American barrel makers make fairly consistent barrels. Those made over seas can be a problem. Tell us the actual bore diameter in thousadnths of an inch, and we can recommend a ball diameter that will work with the gun.

 

[Heinrich]

Those Indian Bess's are pretty popular in South Africa. And they shoot a lot. All of the shots have gone to the .690 RB in them using a flannel patch. And they shoot pretty well.

Those locks might be rough, and untidy, but the there is not a single one on record in South Africa that has broken any part, including main springs. The agent here in South Africa has plenty parts in stock, and still has to sell some spares.

They have impressed me with their value for money here by us.

 

[Many Klatch]

Thanks to all the answers. I don't have an inside micrometer so measuring the bore wasn't going to happen. I was wondering if it was actually what was called a carbine bore back in the day (69 caliber). Looks like we shouldn't have any problem coming up with premolded .69 balls. The gun may never have another round ball stuffed down the bore, but I made sure that the owner had a chance to shoot both round ball and buckshot while I had him at the range.

Many Klatch

 

[spudnut]

Dixie used to make their own moulds out of old hair straitening irons,I got one in 850 for a blunderbuss(Never got the nerve to shoot one though :shocked2: )Give them a call...Mark

 

[paulvallandigham]

A dial caliper, or an old fashioned caliper will give you those inside measurements, Manny. Do take the measurement, even if it calls for a trip to a local auto or machine shop to ask them to use their calipers to measure it. Otherwise, you will be wasting more money guessing on what size ball or conical mold to buy.

 

[rusty]

Heinrich what do you mean by a funnel patch.

 

[Va.Manuf.06]

Heinrich what do you mean by a funnel patch.

I mis-read it at first too (near sighted :redface: ), he said flannel patch.

 

[rusty]

WOW did I ever boo boo.Thanks for pointing that out