Pedersoli Brown Bess big game hunting loads ?
- Thread starter Murray 3-D
- Start date
I would load 100gr of FFg behind a patched ball as Pedersoli indicate in their instructions and FFFFg in the pan for faster locktime. In my fusil de chasse de Tulle .62 cal I load a .595 patched ball and 100gr FFg and FFFFg in the pan. Something that work for me when I hunt from a hunting blind I leave a toothpick in the flash hole and the pan empty and my priming flask ready. On a walk I replace my pan powder frequently. Don't ask me why I know...
When hunting with a flinter you soon learn how to carry it with pan side facing down.
If the frizzen is down, the pan powder should be protected. Personally I'd keep the lock at half #### with the frizzen closed.
More important than the load is being confident enough with the rifle to be able to hit what you aim at.
I'd love to take a deer with my 54 cal Jeager flintlock. I'm sure that would work just fine.
I had mine custom made cause I'm a lefty.
In my Bess, i generally don't load any heavier than 90-100 grains Ffg, with patched ball. I prefer to keep shots within 50-60 yards, in deference to the smoothbore's erratic accuracy beyond that. Have had no problems knocking down deer sized game, with that combination. For small game hunting using shot, I reduce the load to 70-80 grains. Works well.
I like to carry my flintlocks with the pan primed, frizzen closed and hammer at half ####. Quick to get into action. At one time, I used to cover the lock with a thin, waterproof leather 'cow's knee', to protect it from rain. Found it too clumsy and cumbersome to remove, when a shot presented itself. Now, in damp conditions I just run a thin swipe of vaseline around the edges of the pan, to seal it. Pan stays dry. Does not interfere at all, with firing. Each to his own. I own a .54 caliber Pedersoli Jaeger rifle, too. Flintlock. Nice hunting rifle.
Al
ps: To keep priming powder from blocking the touch hole, I also carry a rifle tilted a bit to one side (lock facing downward), so priming powder stays more on the opposite side of the pan's bowl. Seems to work well.
I like to carry my flintlocks with the pan primed, frizzen closed and hammer at half ####. Quick to get into action. At one time, I used to cover the lock with a thin, waterproof leather 'cow's knee', to protect it from rain. Found it too clumsy and cumbersome to remove, when a shot presented itself. Now, in damp conditions I just run a thin swipe of vaseline around the edges of the pan, to seal it. Pan stays dry. Does not interfere at all, with firing. Each to his own. I own a .54 caliber Pedersoli Jaeger rifle, too. Flintlock. Nice hunting rifle.
Al
ps: To keep priming powder from blocking the touch hole, I also carry a rifle tilted a bit to one side (lock facing downward), so priming powder stays more on the opposite side of the pan's bowl. Seems to work well.
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My deer flinter. Fusil de chasse Tulle in 62 cal for deer (patched 350gr .595" ball), 20ga for grouse and snowshoes @ 80gr FFg square load for #7½ or #4 shot. Jim Chambers lock, 44" Colerain barrel, walnut stock and TOTW parts for the rest. The gun weight 7½ pounds. Someday I will surely add a Bess on my gun rack.
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Yep, that's exactly how I'd carry my flinter if I was hunting w it.
My deer flinter. Fusil de chasse Tulle in 62 cal for deer (patched 350gr .595" ball), 20ga for grouse and snowshoes @ 80gr FFg square load for #7½ or #4 shot. Jim Chambers lock, 44" Colerain barrel, walnut stock and TOTW parts for the rest. The gun weight 7½ pounds. Someday I will surely add a Bess on my gun rack.
That blueprint drawing is SWEET!
I wanted to buy a Pecatonic Early Hawken to build for deer hunting but ended up spending the budget on a Type 81 SR instead haha. Realistically I limited myself to 50m and under for flintlock rifle hunting in the past anyways so outside of the ridiculous length and shiny steel I decided the Bess would be more then adequate for the task this season especially after I add a rear sight for more consistent aim. Thanks to the suggestions here ill be loading somewhere between 75-100gr of FFg. Was mainly curious to hear what people thought the max side of the reasonable limit was for the Pedersoli model. Some guys on the internet including some notable content creators are loading charges higher then what Pedersoli recommends. What sort of velocity's are people here getting out of their muskets ? wikipedia list some pretty diverse muzzle energy's for the Bess lol anywhere from 1700ft/lbs to 2700ft/lbs !
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Take a look here for Round Ball ballistics Calculator: h ttp://www.ctmuzzleloaders.com/ctml_experiments/rbballistics/rbballistics.html
The following is taken from "The British Gunner" by J. Morton Spearman first edition appeared in 1828:
Official Brown Bess Musket charges ( I would not try... ) :
Proof charge: 23.334 drams (642 grains)
Service charge: 6 drams (165 grains)
Exercise charge (for blanks): 5 drams (138 grains)
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