Pedersoli - .72 Cal Brown Bess - Powder?

[dougiefreshhh]

Hi All:

Sorry if this is a silly question (still on the VERY steep part of the learning curve)...but I've been trying to get a feel of which powder, and how much, is commonly used in a .72cal BB.

Some people say they run 2F in the barrel, and 4F in the pan. Other say 3F is fine for both. Then some say you can only run 3F in 50cal or smaller.

I know everone has their preferences, but I'm trying to get a general feel.

Thank you,
Doug

 

[DrLaw]

2F in the barrel and - on humid days, in the pan. Otherwise, 4F in the pan.

Also, so you do not get discouraged. Do not drop the powder down the barrel. Let is slide down on an angle, with the vent pointed down. Do not pack the ball on top of the powder, just push a patched ball down until it reaches the powder.

Prime the pan by putting the priming powder on one side of the pan, close the frizzen and tap the gun to 'bank' the powder to the side opposite the vent. Believe it or not, it works.

Get yourself a vent pick. Use it before shooting. Gently push it in to create a small path for the fire to follow.

Take a ball of .44 or better and smash it down with a hammer until you have a flat sheet. Use this to wrap the flint in the cock. You will have to check the tightness of the screw after about the first four-five shots. Once that is done, the flint will settle in to the cock.

Then go over to Muzzleloading Forums and ask any other questions you have. I got these basics from over there after having problems getting my flintlock to shoot. It shoots great, now.

The Doc is out now.

 

[Cosmoline]

No reason you can't use 3F if that works better. I try different charges of each with different patch/ball/overpowder wad combo to see what gives the best accuracy in a smoothbore. 2F is closer in size to the traditional "musket power" vs. 3F's "rifle powder," but this distinction is in no way comparable to different smokeless powders. It's all the same stuff just chopped up a little finer or coarser. These days it all seems to be the same price per lb., too. You use a little less volume of 3F vs. 2F of course. And I wouldn't use 4F flash powder for the main charge ;-)

 

[Mike OTDP]

2F would be standard. If you can, use Swiss Null B for priming. It's 7F equivalent, and you'll get far better ignition out of it.

 

[4v50 Gary]

When the British redcoat marched with their Brown Besses into the woods to their death at Braddock's Defeat (1755), and when another column marched from Boston with their Brown Besses toward Lexington in 1775, and when their heirs marched to Waterloo with their Brown Besses, they had only one powder. That powder was kept in their paper cartridges. No 3F or 4F, just cartridge powder. Lesson: No need to get fancy or make a fuss about finer grain powder. Colonial Williamsburg did some testing with high speed cameras and found that the larger grain powder ignited faster. They saw fewer sparks jump out of the pan with the larger grain powder than with the smaller powder and seeing that, surmised that the larger grains trapped more sparks.

 

[dougiefreshhh]

Thanks all.

I appreciate the feedback.

Best,
dj