Testing Bess.

[Britsmoothy]

Following a discussion in the smoothbore section I tested my Bess some more today.
The conclusion I have come to over this powder and shot greedy gun is it shall be best used in winter when the lack of cover will justify stuffing it with large doses of powder and shot!


B.

 

[BrownBear]

That's my reaction to my own Bess. While it functions well with less, it's a lot of gun to carry for small charges. It does better with large charges than my others, so why not relegate it to that roll.

BTW- My standard load is 1 5/8 oz of shot over 120 grains of Goex 1f, and prior to trying the 1f, 100 grains of 2f.

There are folks around putting that much shot and even more in 20 gauges, but they're clanking heads on standing turkeys, while mine is strictly for flying/running small game.

How much shot and powder could a turkey hunter load into the much larger Bess? Don't know, and don't want to know.

 

[Grizzly Adams]

Sounds like a fine conclusion!

 

[BillinOregon]

Hard not to love a Bess. Miss my old Miroku.

 

[Rifleman1776]

That's my reaction to my own Bess. While it functions well with less, it's a lot of gun to carry for small charges. It does better with large charges than my others, so why not relegate it to that roll.

Mine patterns well with 50 gr. I seldom go over 70. But I have only used for squirrels a few times. OTOH, to me it is mostest funnest gun to shoot thar is. Sadly, it is now a wall hanger since my ole tore up shoulders cannot hold it up anymore.