original bess barrel

[flintlockmdj]

I have an unuseual delema. I have an original 3rd model Brown Bess barrel and butplate, also a reproduction lock. My question is 1) should I try to build this into a usable gun, that is, restock the musket, or 2) sell the parts?

I am asking for your input.

P.S. The barrel is in good enough condition to be used for live rounds. :thanks:

 

[Swampman]

You might find enough original parts on eBay to put it back together. It would make a cool trade musket.

 

[musketman]

I have an unuseual delema. I have an original 3rd model Brown Bess barrel and butplate, also a reproduction lock. My question is 1) should I try to build this into a usable gun, that is, restock the musket, or 2) sell the parts?

I am asking for your input.

P.S. The barrel is in good enough condition to be used for live rounds. :thanks:

If the barrel is in good shooting condition, why not...

I would stay with milder loads, old steel is different from modern steel, but I see no reason not to use it as long as it's safe...

Collector's value is higher for whole gun, not so much gun components, you have a chance to bring the ol' girl back to life...

:imo:

Even if you never shoot it you should make the gun, just to restore it's former glory and dignity...

 

[BLAHMAN]

Make a gun from them, a trade piece or such.

 

[benvenuto]

depends what gives you the most thrill: shooting a sorta original piece, or getting the money and buying a completely new piece.

 

[Jdzara]

Hi musketman,

What would you say are mild loads for the .75 Bess?

Thanks,
Jerry

 

[musketman]

Hi musketman,

What would you say are mild loads for the .75 Bess?

Thanks,
Jerry

40 to 70 grains of FFg will be mild to mid range in a 42 inch barrel...

.715 roundball and .020 patch lubed with Crisco...

40 grains = 569 fps
50 grains = 662 fps
60 grains = 754 fps
70 grains = 817 fps

If memory serves, around 70 to 75 grains was the standard charge...

 

[Mike Brooks]

Hi musketman,

What would you say are mild loads for the .75 Bess?

Thanks,
Jerry

I used to shoot an original 3rd model Bess quite a bit. It liked 95 grains of 2ff and a .760 ball. It liked balls that were roughed up with a rasp and a cleaning patch for a patch. All of them shoot a little different load, you just have to figure out what your gun likes by experimenting.

 

[Bearbait2]

Mr. Brooks,
If I understand you correctly and you wouldn't mind my asking, how did you come up with the idea of roughing up a RB with a rasp for better accuracy? That would seem to be a rather unusual approach.
Best Wishes

 

[Mike Brooks]

Mr. Brooks,
If I understand you correctly and you wouldn't mind my asking, how did you come up with the idea of roughing up a RB with a rasp for better accuracy? That would seem to be a rather unusual approach.
Best Wishes

It was all the "latest rage" back in the mid 80's for fellows who shot big bore smooth bores in competition. It helped improve acuracy in some guns. You place your ball on a hard surface and apply heavy force on a rasp to roll the ball around. We used to call them "frosted" balls. Worked well in that old 3rd model.

 

[brubincam]

i believe the idea came from golf balls....originaly golf balls were smooooooth, as they were used several times they got roughed up, when roughed up they flew farther and straighter, so now the new balls come with the dimples already on them...... :m2c:

 

[flintlockmdj]

I have definately decided to sell the original Brown Bess barrel and butplate that I own. If interested I will let the repro lock go with the rest. I would rather trade for a good used smoothbore but will sell. I have no idea what to ask for the parts. if interested PM me and we will discuss it. :thumbsup:

 

[rayb]

re: rooughing the balls

fluid mechanics....

the Dimples on the golf ball move the turbulence that forms around the ball as it goes through the fluid (air); result is velocity is increased...

that's the theoretical

i liked fluid mechanics so much i took it twice.... :winking:

don't remember the formulas, but i do remember the picture in the textbook..

rayb

 

[musketman]

Mr. Brooks,
If I understand you correctly and you wouldn't mind my asking, how did you come up with the idea of roughing up a RB with a rasp for better accuracy? That would seem to be a rather unusual approach.
Best Wishes

Not at all, I have done that too, however, it does increase the diameter of the roundball...

The displaced lead makes it slightly larger, and the newly formed demples also hold lube better and helps to grip the patch tighter...

I do this to the .735 roundball (the ones I shoot unpatched), I will roll them under a rasp and then wax dip them a few times, then I stand them on the spure flat to dry...