Brown Bess Carbine Question.

[kyle_kalasnik]

With the 0.750 bore of a Pedersoli Bess, I also used the #11 gauge wads. A 12 gauge wad is too loose to be effective.

I also believe that Dixie also recommends 11 gauge components in their catalog.

Appreciate the advice and help.

 

[BillinOregon]

"I never got a good shot load for it in the late 70's because I didn't know how to do it back then, though with the information easily available now, it would not be hard to do."
Gus, how would you build a shot load for a Bess today?

 

[Grenadier1758]

For the Bess, I use 11 gauge card wads. I would build it up with 80 grains of 2fg powder and 100grains (volume) of shot. IF you want a square load, use 100 grains of 1fg.

Powder first. Then I would start a thin over shot card. If the over shot card tends to twist or you don't have a bore sized button on your ram rod, I would use a 1/8" over powder card. Next the shot charge and an over shot card. I would top that with a well lubricated half cushion wad ala the Skychief load. By building the components at the muzzle, it will be easier to ram the shot charge home to the breech.

 

[Britsmoothy]

For my Bess I like 110g of 3f and 2oz of shot. Normal shot, .22 bullets or airgun pellets.