smooth bore .75

[kevin]

Any one else shooting a bess indian gun? been working with mine off and on for 8 years and today have gotten the best resuts in a while used wano in 2 fg at 90 grains w/patched 715 ball (hand casted soft lead of cource) and off the bench got a 3" 5 shot group, tried upping it to 95 grains and the thing opened up to 2' talk about a difference, want to use 3f
but flash hole is to large might have to install a flash hole liner, any opinons out there? thinking of trying b elephant, and pilow ticking patches and ordering a 735 mould from mid south.
                                             Kevin

[Evil Dog]

Hey Kevin.... You betcha... I shoot a Pedersoli made 2nd model Brown Bess.  I had considered going the loose powder and patched ball method of loading, but to me the Brown Bess just begs to be loaded with the traditional paper cartridge.  I make mine up in the French style using recycled news print, a 715 round ball and 85gr GOEX FFFg.  Before adding powder the paper tube is dipped in plain ol' melted Crisco.  To use just rip open the tail of the cartridge, dump the powder down the bore then run down the ball with the rest of the paper cartridge still wrapped around it.  That load has been working just fine for me... shooting off hand will hit most anything aimed at just as long as I do my part.  Every once in a while I will also add 3 or 6 .320 round ball for a "buck and ball" loading.

[farrerhaven]

Kevin, I made my brown bess into a indian trade gun.And I use 90 grs  3f in it also.You dont have to place a new vent in just use a vent pick to block the powder.I use a home made pick that is held in place with the frizzim.When you ready to shoot pull the pick and shake the musket toward the pan ,this will prime it for you.I've used this trick a couple of times it works great sometimes you get too much 3f in the pan.Farrerhaven.  

[fffffg]

groups opening up that much  could mean  that yo had hard fouling ruining groups. next time out use clean bore for testing and see.. im guessing the 3f is to quick burning and is giving you blowby around the patch at that  amount of powdeer and heavy bullet weight. .   my 16 guage shoots best with 400 grain 645 diameter ball in .665 bore with 70 grains 2f and fiber wad then patched ball  with neatsfoot oil in summer, tompson center lube in cold weather..  ..  that is .020 under bore size with .015 patch.. your .030 under and that sounds like too much if bore is actually .75.  i think some officers guns were smaller bore and that could be what you have i dont know..  big slow moving balls will shoot better with slower powder in my opinion.  alot of experienced shooters use the fiber wad under tha ball to be sure to get a seal..good luck dave..