Newbie questions re Brown Bess

[AZ-Robert]

Well, wanna-be newbie questions, actually. I'm thinking of biting off a bigger chunk of this new hobby and getting a replica of the 1756 model Bess. Just barely started shooting MLs and have never shot a smoothie - don't laugh at what you probably think are silly questions:

You guys use patches in those things?

What size balls are you using in that .75 (and what size patch, if you use one)?

Anybody rolling up their own paper 'cartridges'? Or do you just pour powder, drop the ball, prime and shoot?

Who has the Military Heritage version? What do you think of it?

Who has the Middlesex Village version of it? What do you think of it?

I've seen mixed reviews of the Pedersoli version, most are critical of its historical accuracy. Who has one? What do you think of it?

 

[SCATTERSHOT]

Hi, Robert. I told you the bug would bite hard!

LOL!
Gene :thumbsup:

 

[AZ-Robert]

You're not kidding, Gene! Second best thing I did, methinks, was start with flint - keeps me from having a caplock sitting around unused ::

 

[musketman]

AZ-Robert, I shoot a .715 or a .735 roundball in my bess, I carry both...

I found it easier for me to do that, I shoot a .020 patched .715 round ball for a few shots and then go to a wax-dipped unpatched .735 roundball thereafter, until I clean the fouling...

There are many threads about making paper 'cartridges' in the smoothbore section as well...

 

[Jdzara]

Hi Robert,

I've one of the middlesex village long land Bess'.
While I've not fired it yet, nobody in Tucson has the
proper projectiles( I'm trying not to say balls).
The fit is nice, the metal work is fine( the proof stampings and the Royal Cypher could be better).
The wood is rather heavy, but not that much more than a real one.
The finish is OK, but I'll probably restain it, flaws in the stain.
For the money it's a great buy.
The Plunketts are great to deal with, in fact they are shipping me a repro frizzen for my original 3rd Model Bess.
I mentioned in an email that I was looking for one to complete it and they're shipping me one.
I'm very happy and think you will be too.
Now I've got to wait for the Projectiles to arrive, I ordered then from TOW.
UPS says they'll be here friday.
How are thing in Cochise County. There is only one dealer in Tucson that carries Black Powder and supples.
Take care,
Jerry

 

[AZ-Robert]

Hey Jerry, thanks for the info.

There is only one dealer in Tucson that carries Black Powder and supples.

I finally found them about a month ago when I was first scrounging for stuff. Got my powder from them but given the distance, I think I'm going to be a mailorder (internet) guy for everything else. I've enjoyed dealing with Log Cabin; they carry .715 and .735 balls.

 

[AZ-Robert]

MusketMan wrote

I shoot a .020 patched .715 round ball for a few shots and then go to a wax-dipped unpatched .735 roundball thereafter, until I clean the fouling...

Bee's wax? Or some other concoction?

And, just out of curiosity, what kind of precision do you get with that patch/ball combo? You gonna be firing that thing in this match? Or do you switch to something with rifling when things get measured in mm?

 

[musketman]

I use a bees wax and candle wax mix, sorry, I should have stated that...

My bess is very good (precision wise for a smoothbore), I have no complaints...

As a side note, I will be using my .58 Zouave with rounds balls for the shoot...

 

[riarcher]

Using the controversal(?) Pedersoli 2nd land and love it.
I'm liking the .715 w/.028 medium denum cooked with Bore Butter or a mix of olive oil and bee's wax mixed to about the same consistancy as the BB (feel BB to be best though).
I find 110-120 gr. 2Fg to be a fine diet. Many like a light squib load (60-80 gr.) but I prefer a flatter trajectory myself.
I'll BB the bore before the first shot and can shoot it (literally) all day without swabbing and at the end it's like I've only shot 1 round (that can be after 40-50,, no problem).
I found Dixie Gun Works to be the cheapest on balls,,,, but also found that these 1 1/8 (ish) ounce balls really justify home casting. When you add the shipping to the cost of the store bought balls they get rather expensive rather quickly.
I have problems with 3Fg. in mine with a "crud ring" just ahead of the ball's seating position, and blown patches are anouther problem with the 3Fg.
3Fg works ok for the prime but feel 2Fg isn't as good. Taking a stainless teaspoon and a ceramic cereal bowl I can grind the 2 or 3Fg down to size pretty easy for pan powder and only take a couple of minutes.
On the "India" guns,,,,,, I wasn't ready to take a chance with all the "disapointments" folks have had as mentioned on other threads here. I did try to order one from "The General" about a year and a half ago. To that,, lets just say there was a "communication" problem that did not generate a "warm & fuzzy feeling."
As for the "historical accuacy" of the Pedersoli, I can't say. Living in New England I've opertunities to view many of the originals,, and it's hard to find 2 that really look alike in the wood dept. I don't know if the originals were worn down, modified through time, or were even all that identical to begin with, But my Pedersoli (minus the browning of the barrel) seems as though it could easily pass as a well kept original to many that are not all that "up" on the originality. For Reenactments I hear they pass a judge's scrutiny for use.
The "India" models - I've heard there maybe a problem with replacement parts (like lock springs, frizzens, etc), all I can say is to get replacement parts for my Pedersoli seems pretty easy and straight forward if the need arises (and that's a really big plus).
Checking the prior postings on this site of folks with the India guns I think would be time well spent before purchasing one. :imo:

 

[rschissler]

I have a Military Heritage 2nd model short land, and am pretty happy with it. The packaging for shipment was poor though, part of the lock was poking out of the box when it arrived. Fortunately there was no damage.

It came highly polished, which I have since weathered down to just about the perfect finish I prefer.

A few people at the range have been impressed with it. I shoot a .715 ball with a .015 patch.