What bullet group can be expected with a 75 BB

[Rifleman1776]

Flint62Smootie

25-35 yard speed shoots

Very interesting to hear, but for me I wonder where our "safety factor is here? Not tying to spoil one's fun, but a accidental discharge will ruin anyone's fun.
Thanks again for the post.
Flintlocklar :wink:

Yes, the "speed load" thing sounds fraught with danger to me also. We should keep in mind these are experienced shooters, there, no doubt, is a range officer watching. I believe the CSSA has a similar event.

 

[tenngun]

In younger days I played with speed loading. In battle it was get a second shot off fast or catch a half yard of steel. I used to carry a bullitboard. Now I take my time. I would never try to load a primed gun. There is no reason to risk even a hand wound to recreate the past.

 

[Artificer]

Larry,

One of the larger detriments to accuracy with most Brown Bess Repro's is when they copied the locks, they also got the typical pretty heavy trigger pulls. Trying to shoot a Bess offhand with an 8 to 11 pound trigger pull is much more difficult than shooting a double set trigger rifle that averages say 2 to 3 pounds.

Bringing the BB Trigger Pull down to a much more manageable 4 to 4 1/2 pound trigger pull allows one to shoot these guns with much better accuracy. I might even go with a trigger pull of 3 1/2 pounds on the trigger for a gun that will be shot for targets and hunting, but that might be a bit light if you also use the gun for reenacting.

Gus

 

[Larry (Omaha)]

Bess offhand with an 8 to 11 pound trigger pull is much more difficult than shooting a double set trigger

Boy! I'll say, love them double set triggers they have spoiled me. I especially miss them when I shoot those funny guns that eat the brass pointy things . My Bess, by far has the largest lock of all my flint rifles, her trigger pull is averaging about 5.5lbs out of the box. I am impressed with how smooth it does work.
Flintlocklar :wink:

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

I’ll take a well-tuned single trigger over a set trigger every time ... as the extra lever in the set trigger increases the lock time.

Personally, shooting offhand, I find that a single trigger gives me more inherent and consistent accuracy.

 

[tenngun]

I fell in love with double sets with my first build in ”˜76. Until I fell in love with fusils in the early 90s. I have one gun with double sets now. I don’t think I will build a gun with a double set now.

 

[Artificer]

Larry,

If your trigger pull is only 5 1/2 lbs., then you are fortunate indeed. Good for you.

The trigger pull on my early 70's NA Pedersoli Bess was a bit over 9 lbs. and back then I did not know how to correctly lighten the trigger pull. Wish I learned to do that before I shattered the wrist on that BB.

I, too, like a good single trigger with a good trigger pull, thought I must say I enjoy the set triggers on my flint rifle.

Gus

 

[Rifleman1776]

My favorite flint longrifle does not have sett triggers. But, it has a fairly light, beautifully smooth let-off. Love it. However, my other rifles are double-sett and I like that. We're back to pick yer own pizzen and do yer own thang. Whatever works for you, works. :grin:

 

[jime444]

I’ve seen a group shot in the mid-1990’s with a charleville original musket approx .69cal with 10 of 13 shots in the 4inch 10 ring at 50m(approx 55 yards) shot offhand. Best I ever saw, load was 95gr 1Fg, rolled ball, tow wad and shot dirty. The shots formed a “V” shape in the 10 ring, most of them touching. It truly surprised me in just how accurate large smoothbores could be.

 

[Rat]

I have a Pedersoli Brown Bess carbine, I shoot a .690" ball with a denim patch, or the same ball "chewed" with a thinner (.028" maybe) patch and get excellent accuracy. My Bess prefers a charge of 140 grains of fg for best accuracy. Paper cartridges load really fast, (leave the ball in the paper) but I don't get exactly "great" accuracy with them. But I always carry three or four in case I want a close follow up shot as fast as possible. Or if them wolves ever attack me. !!!

 

[Juice Jaws]

[QUOTE="Rat, My Bess prefers a charge of 140 grains of fg for best accuracy. [/QUOTE]

140 grs. should seen like a heavy load, does it kick much?

 

[Rat]

I personally don't find it excessive. I am/have always been somewhat "recoil tolerant". One would have to try it out. !!! But I can shoot that load with a T-shirt on, even though a light jacket or sweater is preferred. My guess would be that it kicks much less than a modern 12 gauge shotgun with slug loads. Certainly much-much-much less than a 3" modern 12 gauge load.

 

[Sparkitoff]

I don't use a patch. I put powder, a wad, the ball and an "overshot card". I get the biggest ball that will pass through the muzzle. A lot of good information above.

 

[Rat]

I've noticed that lots of guys get good results with bare-ball. As I've come a long way working up a good combo with patching, I probably won't switch. But I sure wouldn't discourage anyone from trying it.