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Joined
Feb 28, 2007
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Location
England.
Ok guys this is going to rile some but you know my greedy girl Bess?
Well a couple of years ago I tried to get her to lob a .690" ball from her .750" bore but to no avail at all.

Recently I happened on some .732" ball and today I shot five.

The target was an old discarded 'keep out' sign that I reasoned was the chest size of a small deer.

When you look at the target ignore an existing hole on the far left.
Shot one nicked the bottom edge, you can see that just above the breech.
Shot two aiming just the same went two inch lower than the first.

I adjusted the hold for the following three and am delighted in that gutsy Bess can now take large game should the need arise.
The distance was 30yards.



Now the interesting bit!
I used fine powder! Akin to 4f!!

There are lots of pistol shooting with fine black over here and it seems easier to get hold of so I have quite a bit of it.
67 grains of it gets the ball going plenty. Recoil is present but not harsh.
Remember gutsy Bess has a large flash hole.
I also have to plug the vent or I lose most the charge or completely fill the large pan.
Oh and it works fine with shot too taking a couple of squirrel.

B.
 
Britsmoothy said:
Remember gutsy Bess has a large flash hole.
I also have to plug the vent or I lose most the charge or completely fill the large pan.
Oh and it works fine with shot too taking a couple of squirrel.

B.

I'd say the fine fast burning powder is counteracting the pressure loss through the large vent. To bad you don't have chronograph results to compare.
 
Colorado Clyde said:
Britsmoothy said:
Remember gutsy Bess has a large flash hole.
I also have to plug the vent or I lose most the charge or completely fill the large pan.
Oh and it works fine with shot too taking a couple of squirrel.

B.

I'd say the fine fast burning powder is counteracting the pressure loss through the large vent. To bad you don't have chronograph results to compare.
Good point yes.
When I have even less time I plan to fit a liner.
 
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