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  1. E

    Smoothbore Harpers Ferry Pistol

    To me the beauty of a paper cartridge is the ease of loading... just rip off the end, pour the powder down the barrel and then jam paper wrapped ball down. I roll mine using recycled newsprint paper dipping the ball end of it in melted Crisco... they're good for a couple of months. I've been...
  2. E

    Smoothbore Harpers Ferry Pistol

    Yes, but they were generally loaded with a conical bullet rather than a round ball. The Brown Bess load uses the paper wrapping as a patch around the ball similar to the cloth patch used in loading from the horn. It works well in smooth bores, just not sure how well it might work in a rifled...
  3. E

    Smoothbore Harpers Ferry Pistol

    Just arrived today so haven't even fired it yet. The thought I had in mind was to get rid of the rifling so that I could load it via paper cartridges the same as my Brown Bess. Probably just jousting with windmills again.
  4. E

    Paper Cargridge Lube Recipe

    Tablets of "Newsprint" from the local craft store, best I've found. Tried several recipes involving tallow and such but keep coming back to plain ol' melted Crisco. Using a .715 ball in my Pedersoli made Brown Bess I'm usually good for 20+ shots before it's time to wipe the bore.
  5. E

    Smoothbore Harpers Ferry Pistol

    I'm thinking of having my 58cal Pedersoli Harpers Ferry pistol reamed out to make it a smoothbore. Any of you done that? Would you do it again?
  6. E

    Tried something new, today

    How did that saying go.... "if you can remember the 60's, you weren't there."
  7. E

    Making it smooth

    Actually, I no longer have the Bess.... I traded it for a 16ga fowler that I gave my wife for Mother's Day (told her that she had to share though). Also, no longer have the Harper's Ferry.... received an offer to trade it for a very nice 62 cal smoothbore flint pistol. Both of us are happy so...
  8. E

    Priming

    I load with a cartridge but still prime from a horn. Since I shoot only live rounds I prefer to prime last for safety reasons.
  9. E

    What size ball?

    Hey Bloodhound.... thanks for looking that up for me. He must be talking Eastern #4 buckshot which is 0.240" diameter. Western #4 buckshot is 0.330" diameter and I know for sure that wouldn't work since three 0.329" form a very nice triangle layer in 75 caliber. Now I know what size mold I...
  10. E

    What size ball?

    Ah, there be the problem..... don't have any shot. The closest I have is a .329 round ball mold. That sise ball gives me a nice flat layer of 3 balls in a Brown Bess (75 caliber). Am trying to find out what size to use for 62 caliber rather than just randomly buying molds. Yes, you are...
  11. E

    What size ball?

    A question for someone who can do the math... what size ball would be needed to make a layer of 3 that would lay flat in a 62 caliber smoothbore?
  12. E

    Making it smooth

    Actually it is 5 grooves that are pretty shallow. You're right though, no sense reaming it out until I play with it a while longer.
  13. E

    Which one?

    Just personal opinion, but I've always loved the looks of the 1861 Navy. The sleek lines of the 1860 Army but in 36 caliber.
  14. E

    Swamped barrel for pistol - help !

    I spent a LOT of time swamping my own 12" barrel by hand with a large file. Wouldn't recommend it.
  15. E

    Making it smooth

    A logical question. I've always loaded my Brown Bess with paper cartridges rather than carrying separate powder, patch and ball. Use a small enough ball (.715) that I can just start them with my thumb even after a dozen shots. I will often carry my Pedersoli-made Harpers Ferry pistol at the...
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