Welcome to the TMA - the Traditional Muzzleloading Association
The TMA is always free to access: totally non-profit and therefore no nagging for your money, no sponsors means no endless array of ads to wade through, and no "membership fees" ever required. Brought to you by traditional muzzleloaders with decades of wisdom in weaponry, accoutrements, and along with 18th and 19th century history knowledge of those times during the birth our nation, the United States of America.
If you are a current TMA Contributing Member you MUST click HERE - IMPORTANT!


Author Topic: wads for a Brown Bess  (Read 3926 times)

wwpete52

  • Guest
wads for a Brown Bess
« on: September 24, 2009, 05:14:30 PM »
Would anyone know what size shotgun wads work with a Pedersoli Brown Bess (11 gauge or 10 gauge)?

Offline Mitch

(No subject)
« Reply #1 on: September 24, 2009, 05:27:44 PM »
wasp or hornet nest works real good.....can be made to fit any smoothie!!
Ride the high trail....never tuck your tail

TMA#211 renewal date 01AUG08

Online Bigsmoke

(No subject)
« Reply #2 on: September 24, 2009, 06:43:43 PM »
What Mitch said.

For factory stuff, I think I always used 11 ga wads in my Bess.  That was a lot of years ago and the memory could be fuzzy.  If you were to measure your bore, it could give you a bit better idea of what size you need.
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest Up to God.

BigSmoke - John Shorb
TMA Charter Member #150  
NRA - Life
Coeur d'Alene Muzzleloaders - Life

Offline Mitch

(No subject)
« Reply #3 on: September 24, 2009, 06:49:13 PM »
I also use thin cardboard(think cereal box) for wads-not to hard to cut out a few while relaxing or find a "cutter/punch" and knock out a few...FWIW, I quit using cushion wads a few years ago-the wads were blowing holes in my patterns(lots of shooting/testing) and I get better results without the cushion wads and it's so much easier to load!! have even used leaves/grass to hold in powder/shot-it works too!
Ride the high trail....never tuck your tail

TMA#211 renewal date 01AUG08

Offline Loyalist Dave

  • TMA Forum Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 687
  • Total likes: 1
  • TMA Member: 800
  • Location: MD
(No subject)
« Reply #4 on: September 25, 2009, 01:04:09 PM »
Under no circumstances use plastic modern shotshell wads.  They are not designed to take the heat from the BP, and they will leave a mess inside the barrel that is dang tough to get out.  I use tow, or news paper.  In fact I make paper cartridges to hold the powder, tear, pour, and simply ram down the empty cartridge tube on top to form the wad.  I then load a second cartridge that holds only shot, only I don't tear it open, I simply load it as is, and seat it on the previously formed wad.  Works like a charm.

LD
It's not what you think you know; it's what you can prove.

wwpete52

  • Guest
(No subject)
« Reply #5 on: September 25, 2009, 02:49:42 PM »
Thanks Dave! Man, I would NEVER put anything plastic down my muzzle.

Offline hawkeye

(No subject)
« Reply #6 on: September 25, 2009, 03:07:16 PM »
I use 11 gauge overpowder and overshot cards and 12 gauge fiber wads in my Pedersoli Bess.  I soak the fiber wads in olive oil, then cut them in half (thickness wise) and I can shoot all day without fouling build up.
David M. Ely
Charter Member #141 Exp 1/11
=======================
"Third ball, haul..." Etherington's Coy 60th RAR