Pedersoli Brown Bess

[CharlesZ]

Hey All,
I'm thinking of making this my first flintlock. I'm partial to military replicas for historical reasons. Any opinions on this musket as a first choice would be greatly appreciated.Thanks.

 

[jethro224]

When I decided that I needed a military style musket it was my choice. Can't say as it was the best choice 'cause it's the only musket I have, but it's a good choice. :thumbsup:
The Bess is tons of fun to shoot even tho it does leave me with a sore cheek after a couple dozen full power roundball shots. I've used mine to win matches, shoot squirrel, break clays, and kill a deer. It's very reliable and tough as they come. And that big ball really whacks a gong with authority!

 

[nit wit]

I have a short barreled pedersoli bess. Its had lock work done on it so its oh so smooth when you squeeze the trigger. Its shoots great without patching,I just use wads above and below ball. Fun for sure. :thumbsup: The India guns are good and much cheaper, but very stiff locks.
Nit Wit

 

[BrownBear]

I have an older one, shorter barrel too. Can't help you much with shooting ball, because I do little of that. But it's downright dandy with shot. Only misfire I've had was a rainy day when I was more intent on the snowshoe hare I was following than the water dripping off the brush. Otherwise it's as reliable as a caplock. The big pan on it doesn't seem to care what kind of powder it has in it either. I'm using 1f in the bore most of the time, and that's what I use in the pan too.

 

You will love the Bess... packs a punch but it is a blast to shoot.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Wat Jethro said. Except there is no need to always use "full power" loads, whatever that is. Mine shot happily with charges in the 50 to 70 grain range.
One of the funnest guns to shoot you will ever own.

 

[CharlesZ]

Thanks! I'm getting excited about the gun. Would anyone know of any books about the Brown Bess?

 

[Tinker2]

All of the above, I have two, 60 gr. shoots great. My favorite in everything except the amount of lead I go through.


William Alexander

 

[pargent]

Good choise :thumbsup:

 

[Coot]

Thanks! I'm getting excited about the gun. Would anyone know of any books about the Brown Bess?

A good guide to the Bess patterns & variations would be:
"The Brown Bess" by Erik Goldstein & Stuart Mowbray (2010) - great detail photos.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Well, Pedersoli is the only company that offers a "kit" unless you put together a parts kit from the Rifle Shopp or Track of The Wolf, and that requires you complete the lock from cast parts... not for a beginner.

As for books there are several, but don't use them to compare to your Pedersoli... a good shooting gun, but apparently the original that they copied back in the 1960's was a mish-mash of parts. Not a function or appearance problem..., just a historic cosmetic problem for those worried about such situations.

Here are three:

The Brown Bess by Eric Goldstein

Red Coat and Brown Bess by Anthony Darling

A Soldier-Like Way: The Material Culture of the British Infantry 1751-1768 by R.R. Gale.

LD

 

[curator]

I have a Pedersoli Bess, a Charleville 1777, and a 1816 Harpers Ferry smooth-bore muskets. The Bess is a good gun but a pain to clean with the barrel pinned into the stock. I prefer the other two for the ease of removing the barrel and the slightly smaller .69 caliber. Less powder, less lead, less kick, and no issues of water getting between barrel and stock when cleaning.

 

[buzz]

i agree with curator this is the only drawback i have to my bess
I shoot 60 to 110 grains and PRB or shot i prefer shot andusedit more that way
i love shot it with 000 shot mostly
I cernatinly looking for another musket that is jsut as much fun and i probly get teh char 1777 kit

 

[pargent]

I have been using 110g of 2f .730 or .710 ball patched firm, shoots flat and very straight at 50meters

PS I don't pull the barrel for cleaning, I just clean the old way .

 

[buzz]

i clean mine upside down in a gun vice help keep water out of the barrle channel inthe stock i do pull it now and then check for rust but yet have found any

 

[Alden]

I use a coffee maker to boil the water I use when I clean blackpowder. Not only does it clean better but it will help ensure things are relatively drier. The barrel should be uncomfortable to hold bare-handed...