Japan Brown Bess questions

[snagg]

A couple questions on my sons Brown Bess made in Japan.
1) The bore measures at .747. What size ball and patch would be a good one to start with??
2) Is there a web site or supplier that you could recommend to buy balls and accessories for this gun? He has the rod, but needs a jag, ball puller and patch worm for it. The rod seems to be tapered and what I think is a metric thread on the end.
3) Is there a certain position the hammer needs to be in before removing the lock assembly? ie, half cock, full cock, or closed?? or any other precautions we need to know before attempting the the removal of the lock??

snagg

 

[spud]

try[url] trackofthewolf.com[/url] if they don't have it you don't need it--IMO--spud

 

[Many Klatch]

All of the reproduction Bess's have been a problem for the gunmakers that do repairs. There are about 6 different sizes of Locks, ramrod threads, frizzens and springs. The size differences are small but enough that nothing is interchangeable.

The only person I know that has addressed this problem is Michael Lea. Mike goes to all the major rendezvous and trade faires and sets up as "The Gun Doctor". A big part of his trade is getting to be fixing broken Bess's. The last time I talked with him he was working on casting up replacement frizzens and springs for the various sized Bess locks. I know that he has jags, patch pullers and ball pullers for the Bess, because he fit some up for my Bess. My Bess by the way had some off the wall Metric thread on the end of the ramrod.

Mike Lea advertises in Muzzle Blasts. If you need more information, email me.

As to dismantling your Bess. I find it best if the cock is resting in the flash pan. That way it can't hurt you if you are holding it and it gets triggered. Those locks are strong.

If you have a .747 bore, I recommend that you start off with some .720 ball and some .010 and .012 patching. That should make a tight enough load to start with. The service load in a Bess is 90 to 110 grains of 2F. That bucks pretty good. You could try starting out at 75 grains of 2F.

My Bess is a Pedersoli Carbine. It shoots a .715 Ball with .010 patching.

After you figure out what sized ball your Bess will take, you will probably want to cast your own ball if you can find a good source for cheap lead.

The best lead is pure dead soft lead, which can be scored with a thumbnail. This kind of lead can be found in the scrap yards, (they tell me). You can also buy it off of roofers, if you know one. It is also used in shielding Xray rooms. If you know any contractors that work for hospitals, they may have a ton or more sitting around.

If you can't find the pure lead you could go to wheelweights. For a smoothbore they are probably just as good as pure lead. They may cast differently, but if they are what you get used to then you will never notice the difference.

With a little bit of work, you can get your Bess to shoot in the same hole at 25 yards. I filed a slot on top of the bayonet lug and a slot in the middle of the tang to act as my sights.

Have fun with your Bess. :thumbsup:

Many Klatch

 

[J.D.]

Many Klatch is right on with his information.

My Petersoli Bess has a bore diameter of .748 and shoots a .715 ball with a .017 patch in front of 80 gr FFG.

The same load works as well, minus the patch, in paper cartridges.

IMHO, 80 gr FFG is the heaviest accurate powder charge that is pleasurable to shoot. 90 gr FFG was a little more accurate, but wasn't as pleasurable, read as easy on the shoulder, as the 80 gr charge.

Some freinds shoot even lighter loads in their guns with great accuracy. It depends on the gun and your shoulder.
J.D.

 

[spudnut]

I had one years ago and shot a 715 Avalon Forge used to have a kit with a japenese addapter..Hang onto it I think they might be gettin scarce...Is it marked Dixie gun works?

 

[snagg]

Thanks for the help and input fella's. We greatly appreciate it. Can't wait to fire this monster off. :grin:
I guess this is one of the problems with getting an older firearm, finding part and accessories for it. But, on the plus side, it makes it some fun at the rondy's looking for items of need.
I don't see Dixie Gun works marked on the rifle anywhere.

Thanks again to all, snagg