Polishing a Pedersoli Brown Bess Bore

[@mikeryan9479]

Believe it or not my dad taught me shoot on his brownbess musket. 20 years later and many guns later the old Bess is still my go to gun for a fun day on the range. Thank you mike, loving this series!

[@GregoryRasputin-om3tv]

❤ hello Michael

[@mshapiro64]

I agree, the Pedersoli Brown Bess is loads of fun. I would also recommend their Hapers Ferry Model 1816 musket as well.

[@bigrickshaberdashery2759]

I like the Harper Ferry 1832 with shortened barrel and percussion upgrade. Nice in the bush and a .69 cal, shooting .672 round balls in paper cartridges makes for a good day.

[@buckshot4428]

That thing shoots like a boss Mike. Thanks for sharing.

[@michael.w.salter]

I think this is the second video of yours I’ve seen where you polished the bore. That’s a lot of work, but worth it. Thanks for the instructional video.

[@MPGunther1]

Thanks Mike, Another fun day at the Dualist Den

[@bobdunn4179]

Wow! Impressive accuracy from a smooth bore!

[@stevesmolik24]

Mike, Thank you for the information you presented on polishing and burnishing the bore. I use a .715 round ball with lubed paper in my Bess and can keep 4 of 5 hits within a 7in circle at 25yds using 120grs of 2f powder. I am definitely going to follow your information on polishing the bore and go to a .690 round ball. Keep up with your great videos!!! They are the highlight of my week! Steve

[@michaelpriest6242]

So knowledgeable and so generous! Thank you Mike for sharing your treasure trove of knowledge.

[@jamessirman6622]

Been shooting muzzle loaders for 45 years and I'm still learning new stuff. Your an excellent resource and a great teacher.

[@G-man45444]

Well after seeing this video I polished the note of my Fowler …. I too found it a little rough toward the muzzle now it’s shined and super smooth. Thanks Mike

[@Marcus2750-u1t]

Yes modern arms are better in every way but that doesn’t take away from what a front stuffer can do! Same power you just use more powder and accurate as can be! The only drawback is you gotta load it every single round but thats just what they had back then, Im grateful for them because they made what guns are today!! Much respect!

[@michaelpriest6242]

Every round is, at least can be, a custom round.

[@509Gman]

Enough power in the right circumstances sure, but nowhere near the same as modern. I take your meaning tho.

[@uncletom2962]

Great tutorial. Can’t wait for your practical accuracy test.

[@patrickedwards7107]

I'm sure they wont be happy with us if we show up to do the woods walk with ol' bess looks to pulverize whatever that ball hits. Thank you for all of the material you've put together on this particular longarm it's been very helpful.

[@gtptvanbuuren3795]

Thanks for the great video. We are never too old to learn new tricks. 'Old and Wise has the Eyes.'....Tim

[@d.barney2424]

I'm impressed. Enough said.

[@GaryED44]

Is it possible for a video to make you want a flintlock? YES YES I want a Brown Bess!! Love your videos sir I’ll be back for sure

[@garyjones3023]

A great tutorial on how to improve the barrel of a smoothbore musket. I learned a lot and have 2 muskets that may benefit from a polish. I've watched several of your videos and enjoy all of them, especially the black powder ones.

[@redsky8509]

fixed, and you hit that small target, great job all around.

[@henryofskalitz2228]

That bess is thunderous

[@steamboatmodel]

It would have been interesting to have seen some before and after photos of the inside of the barrel, to see how much the barrel changed.

[@duelist1954]

The changes are nearly microscopic, but the ifference in loading ease is obvious to the shooter

[@gdreilly]

Glad you mentioned this during your talk yesterday at Fort Loudoun. I missed it when you originally posted it. I will need to try it

[@vekose9713]

Awesome video Mike! Really enjoying these brown bess videos I really have a soft spot for these 1700s type firearms.

[@roryhertzog5282]

Excellent presentation. I agree with your opinions on tactics and aiming. I shot an exact replica of the Lewis and Clark air rifle. It hit a small target at 50 yards.

[@sergeant061]

Great video, i have a Hawken 50 cal that gave me the same problem. i could get off 3 rounds then it would be hard to load. I started using a thinner and well lubed patch on the ball, which resulted in a better seal and better accuracy.

[@ukaszdziadek9053]

I know it's a bit late to answer but whatever. Hawken .45 here, had the same issue. Started to use thinner patches which I dipped in a solution made of 1 part ballistol, 7 parts water. Patches are not wet but damp. Now I am able to shoot 30ish times without having to clean the barrel. Love my hawken to bits.

[@rickhatch7800]

Great info . I have done similar to a used Hawken I got but I used Tooth paste and also some of my wife’s emulsifying cream , very minimal grit .

[@tatianawiser7843]

Hmmm, I have that same issue with my 1853 British Enfield . I think I’ll get out the steel wool and the scrubber pad to do the same thing! Never thought of doing that before

[@Matzah1982]

I've shot a short naval brown bess accurately at up to 50 yards. It's not a tack driver but at 50 yards it will consistently hit a 1 foot by 1 foot solid steel plate from 50 yards away

[@mikeolszewski4682]

Thanks for taking the time to explain the polishing & burnishing processes.

[@cbtri15]

Another great video Mike. Thanks. I love my Pedersoli Brown Bess also.

[@olskool3967]

as always, a good video mike,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[@stevencunningham4680]

Thank you Mike for answering my question on the Griswald & Gunnison.

[@singleshot2218]

Good job Mike!

[@mistermatt9056]

Great video Mike, thanks!

[@nolancoldwell3045]

Thank you for your videos! Your awesome knowledge taught me so much about these guns and now I have several including an original 1771 brown bess!

[@murphy4yt]

Great video! I’ve wanted a smoothbore trade musket or officer’s fusil for a while now, and you may have just pushed me over the edge.

[@boomschofield3148]

When I was going thru the Mountain Phase of Ranger Training at Camp Merrill, the locals in Dahlonega, who were NOT very fond of what they called Federal Troops, but somehow took a shine to me; probably because I was a gun nut and a black powder enthusiast. (They also hadn't seen many Marines at that Army School...) I saw many Winchester 94's and '95 carbines a whole lot of military surplus (I do so Love Krag Carbines!!!) One acquaintance was a bearded gentleman who displayed his Brown Bess smooth bore which did my heart good!!! I'm sure this man was up against Winchester Model 70's Remington Model 700's and Ruger M77's but I was told he got his deer every year, as did his Father, and his Father, and his Father, and his Father etc. That was 1975, I don't believe they had a Black Powder Season yet but in those heavy woods, like it or not, they had the final word, no they were the final word. (They called paper targets Shermans.) I hope when the Good Lord calls me home I get to see them again.

[@Everythingblackpowder]

Nice shooting!

[@damianalaniz1118]

Mike! Thank you so much, I know I was not supposed to do this to an original Brown Bess but I did this and by God it is very accurate!

[@johnndavis7647]

You put so much work into Italian guns to improve them. For the benefit of the thousands of black powder enthusiast who buy them. I would like to see what you could do with an Inda made musket. There are several companies that import them. They are not that expensive which is why people buy them. Thanks for all you do. John Davis Jax Fl

[@matt59736]

Okay now I'm on a mission to own a brown bes great video.

[@Oliverj1798]

Another great video Mike. I enjoy all your videos, but have really gotten a lot out of your recent smoothbore episodes. They have helped me get my new 28 gauge fowler ready for deer season. I have been pleasantly surprised by my round ball accuracy and have put to use many of your tips and suggestions. After watching this I am going to polish and burnish the bore as well. Thank you!

[@string-bag]

Great video Mike, I love the Bess.

[@lisar3006]

A friend of mine has a Fusil de Tulle custom built I forget the gun smith who did it for him but it is a very accurate musket with a patched ball. It has the turtle front sight like most the Tulle musket but Jerry has a rear sight on it also. My 1816 war fairly accurate (pederosoli) and so is my Armi Sport 1842. I sold the 1816 sorry I did but I wanted an 1876 Winchester on 45-60 but I swapped it for an 1860 Henry by Uberti, You helped my figure out how to cut down 45-70 brass to make 45-60. that worked out great

[@t.curran8243]

I scrubbed my Lyman GPR 54 caliber with the 3m pad before re I ever shot it. It is as slick as can be and loads as baby as you can stand.

[@45auto]

An hour of burnishing? Oof, that sounds tiring but the results speak for themselves.

[@CST-7189]

I was like, Did he just say an HOUR? *REWINDS* YES, yes he did.

[@VladiSSius]

With results like this? I'd pay two hours gladly :))

[@wonder-bred]

An hour really isnt that long, ive gotten lost in work before and came out of the shop with the sunrise.

[@lifebiker105]

Very Enjoyable. Thank you Mike . Love to watch you shoot. And swordplay. All the things im intrested in. Have a Great Week. Joe.

[@CrimeVid]

I would have used a cloth mop (like the steel wool one) and a generous helping of Solvol Autosol (chrome polish) to finish up with.

[@banditone00]

I love your content. You make me want to get into muskets. I already shoot cap and ball revolvers, but now you have me interested in flintlocks and swords. Take care!

[@larrycaro1333]

Good job thank you

[@Rumblestrip]

Good shooting Mike. Thanks

[@HDSME]

THANK YOU. MIKE!!!

[@pumpkintown]

Love it thanks brother

[@christophermccormick2714]

Great video! I would love to see what that bore looks like after all that work.

[@mleeeklund6754]

I'd really like to see you test fire buck and ball load for the brown bess.

[@engsetters4633]

I have one, going from cartridge guns to this, the delay in videos doesn't seem like a whole lot, but trust me it takes a lot of practice because when you're the one shooting the delay feels like forever.

[@flintymcduff5417]

I've shot flintlocks for over 40 years. The lock time doesn't ever feel slow to me.

[@t.curran8243]

I tried the 3M method on my new GPR fainter. Haven't shot it yet, but you can tell the bore gets smoother from less resistance when swabbing it.

[@johnndavis7647]

Great fun! Thanks.

[@stevecoffman1576]

Very cool Mike.

[@UncleSasquatchOutdoors]

Pedersoli and Uberti make some nice guns but they don't seem to take enough time to do things like properly polishing the bore as in your case. Great video!

[@blairroth1812]

Thanks

[@johngallagher2313]

Impressive results

[@herbertsmith6416]

Good job

[@clifflee7461]

Nice work great Gun top shooting Cheers Mike

[@blackpowderfirearmenthusia3194]

Nice shots and you did an awesome job on the bore. I'm impressed.

[@keithbozin1228]

Always enjoy your videos

[@davidcaudill1108]

I bought one of Pedersoli's Brown Bess kits and they drilled out the ramrod pipe pin holes all crooked so there wasn't but a 6th of an inch of wood holding them on. I'd be afraid to draw or replace the ramrod with any kind of urgency in fear of cracking the stock. The touch hole was also positioned at the base of the pan just like yours.

[@williamhoppe4500]

Thanks for all your videos. Fun and great information.

[@rudynorvelle2870]

I am waiting right now for Dixie to send me my Pedersoli Brown Bess and I am looking forward to it for sure.

[@emmettjenkins8026]

I tear my paper cartridges with my fingers. Holding cartridge and barrel in one hand tear with other. I know historically mouth tearing is correct, but I don't need the paper taste. After I watched hour video using the scouring pads I used scouring pads on my rifle and it helped loading also.

[@SteveAubrey1762]

Actually, tearing the cartridge by hand was standard for the British army. The colonial and French used their teeth.

[@karsonbranham3900]

Great shooting!!

[@christopherchiaro4713]

Great Video!!

[@wagon9082]

Good Video

[@markfisher8206]

Well shoot ! off to Home Depot to by a dowel! Great video great tip

[@48vdcwrld]

Excellent tutorial Mike, great info thanks...

[@dturner2089]

Looks great! You always get the best out of your guns while being informative and engaging. The average soldier didn't have a musket as well polished as yours is now. The Bess and Charleville muskets were chosen for rate of fire(3 to 4 per minute) not so much accuracy. I have read accounts of cartridges made with smaller ball to account for many more shots before barrel fouling made loading the musket problematic. The manual of arms I have seen(Von Steuben's Blue book page 17), had the soldier prime the pan before charging the barrel. So getting a consistent charge on the barrel was unlikely. By the same token, some table hunters or market hunters may have gone to more pains to squeeze accuracy out of their muskets. If they couldn't get enough accuracy, they would load "Buck n Ball" to wound an animal sufficiently to assure harvesting.

[@t.curran8243]

Italians have a long, 3 hour lunch" at about 1 pm. You may have gotten your Brown Bess from the afternoon shift. I'm thinking of getting the Brown Bess To ndians Trade musket. I like the idea of having the option of shot or ball.

[@62MountainDew62]

You can use shot in a Bess. I bought 11 gauge cards from Dixie Gun Works, and put shot through mine. I got a nice grouse the first time I took it out.

[@TornadoCrewStormChasers]

At the beginning I thought you were going to use valve grinding grease on a patch like you would if you were lapping a rifle barrel. Looks like you did it right though.

[@craigcook1571]

Cool👍

[@GaryED44]

Eagerly awaiting the video where you see how far the Bess can shoot accurately

[@chickensandwich1589]

I shot my carbine version at 50 yards from a bench and bag, three groups of five on a 11x8.5" piece of paper. Two groups were five for five on, the other was four of five. All fifteen shots being military paper cartridged .69 caliber roundball with 120gr of Goex FF, 16gr FFFF in the pan. No cleaning in-between groups.

[@williamcrawford7982]

Awesome, welldone what fun.👍

[@thompsonjerry3412]

Odd, Pedersoli is very proud of their barrel making.

[@marvinwebb1465]

Just found out what to do to my French 20 gauge fusil!

[@straightpipec6099]

Nice one

[@stevebuckskinner5482]

This was a great video!! 👍👍👍

[@keishamdevson9217]

What will be the effective range of this brown bess musket???🤔🤔🤔 I like this gun.

[@psujajean-francois1931]

bonjour de france vos vidéos sont très bien je me suis abonné. continuez

[@Flintlock85]

Hi Mike! Great job with your Bess! I would love for you to demo/explain your sight picture/hold for this weapon...since it has no rear sight. I'm not as consistent when live shooting and aiming with my Brown Bess. Some of it is a little flinching I'm sure, but it is also getting an established sight picture/hold with only the front bayonet lug to guide me. You seem to be putting them right in there, so how are you aiming to compensate for no rear sight? Thanks much!!

[@GaryED44]

after watching your vids on the Bess I searched youtube for more and found one Hickok45 did a while back and in a closeup it looks like his Bess has a low touch hole as well. Also its looked like his was an India pattern Bess, I think thats what the shorter one is called.

[@plop55]

I wonder if that process done to a lesser extent would help a rifled piece. I had a few .50 cal long rifles some you could shoot all day long without cleaning and some you would have to swab it out after two shots because of how hard it was to load.

[@jimboote312]

Deepen the pan for a low vent hole. Would you deepen it by how much higher the vent should have been? 16th” maybe?

[@brianalbee4153]

I was checking out those flex hones for a slightly pitted Damascus shotgun I want to shoot black powder shells from, but they are ungodly expensive for a home hobbyist working on a cheap old gun. I like your technique and am going this route, thanks! I wonder if following up the burnishing with degreasing and some cold bluing in the bore might further prevent corrosive action, especially with home brew primers I'm using?

[@Cannontime]

Cool!!!!

[@lukedealberdi3713]

Hi Mike, great video as always! Have you ever tried Nessler balls in your smoothbores and if you have was there an accuracy difference?

[@duelist1954]

I haven't tried them. Sorry

[@lukedealberdi3713]

@@duelist1954 future video :) ?

[@duelist1954]

@@lukedealberdi3713 Do you know of a source for them, or for a mold for Nessler balls for the Bess?

[@lukedealberdi3713]

@@duelist1954 eras gone used to carry one but it was pointed not the domed and hollow and long discontinued. I've seen lots of mutterings mover the years that a Lyman 2654012 foster mould is quite close to the original. I'll ask around at the club!

[@lukedealberdi3713]

@@duelist1954 Just found that Robert Bradley makes them for .69 muskets, may also do Brown Bess moulds for them.

[@alifr4088]

Time to attemp making this musket.....

[@oldschooljack3479]

👍

[@Countglockula10mm]

Love the videos Mike saw your video on my recommended watched it then subscribed I'm wanting to get into muzzleloader hunting I want to use an old fashioned period correct musket like our ancestors used.could you recomend a good one! I like either percussion cap or flintlocks..what does it cost to shoot old muskets is it cheaper or more expensive than cartridge guns?..

[@duelist1954]

If I were you, I'd go to Tennessee Valley Muzzleloading and get their fowler. Shot to shot, a fowler will cost more to shoot than most modern rifles, but you'll take fewer shots, so it evens out.

[@Countglockula10mm]

@@duelist1954 oh ok thanks for the info..live your channel by the way very informative

[@Glenfilthie1]

That’s a great smoking habit ya got Mike!😉👍 How does that ramrod stay in mike? It looks like a real sloppy fit in the tube... is there a mechanism that retains it?

[@wildrangeringreen]

leaf spring inside the stock

[@DaleRaby]

Have you ever tried saturating a patch with lapping compound and grease/oil? It worked well on my Ruger Flat Top's forcing cone... though using lead bullets and no patch.

[@duelist1954]

Yes, but I used it on a patch. I think it is a good way to finish, but it isn't abrasive enough to smooth a rough muzzleloader bore.

[@nicholaswalter9751]

Hey,where did you get the hat?