Took my Brown Bess out for the first time. I had made up some paper cartridges, turns out between the ball and the paper, they were a bit tight in the barrel. First one was snug going in, but was able to push the ball down. Second loading seemed ok. The third ball got stuck about 15" in, and I couldn't push it further nor could I pull it out with my extractor tip. So now the gun sits in my enclosed porch, sans flint, with WD40 in the touch hole and down the barrel to kill the powder, waiting for me to get an extension for my drill to clear out the ball this weekend...
Slightly smaller balls have already been ordered (0.69, was using 0.715), as well as a delrin ramrod and a new hickory rod, because I also broke THAT yesterday. And cut my finger on the bayonet lug, bleeding all over the barrel...
But that SOUND when the Bess went off was surreal! That long, huge bore was incredible! I'll be back at it soon for sure.
Slightly smaller balls have already been ordered (0.69, was using 0.715), as well as a delrin ramrod and a new hickory rod, because I also broke THAT yesterday. And cut my finger on the bayonet lug, bleeding all over the barrel...
But that SOUND when the Bess went off was surreal! That long, huge bore was incredible! I'll be back at it soon for sure.