Randy Johnson
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- Mar 17, 2014
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My new First Model Brown Bess arrived yesterday.
The first impression was how heavy it is. I have grown accustomed to a shorter .65 caliber fusil, and the transition to a long barreled, (46 inches) .75 caliber, full sized musket is going to take some adjustment.
The walnut used for the stock is above average which was a pleasant surprise. The only thing I'm a little unhappy with is the wood ram rod. It is correct for the time period of the musket, but it tapers to such a small diameter that I don't have a lot of confidence in it being able to do the job on a long term basis. Some kind of iron rod may wind up being used for competition with the wood one being just for show. In almost fifty years of shooting muzzleloaders I have never broken a ramrod. I don't want to end that particular drought. Middlesex Village offers a 46 inch barrel Bess with an iron rammer. I will first try them, and if that fizzles out I will get one for the Pedersoli and have an extension forge welded on.
The mold shows up today, and while I don't have everything that will be dedicated to the musket yet, the range box will make it possible start playing with it this weekend or early next week at the latest.
I'll try to get some pictures up after the first range session.
The first impression was how heavy it is. I have grown accustomed to a shorter .65 caliber fusil, and the transition to a long barreled, (46 inches) .75 caliber, full sized musket is going to take some adjustment.
The walnut used for the stock is above average which was a pleasant surprise. The only thing I'm a little unhappy with is the wood ram rod. It is correct for the time period of the musket, but it tapers to such a small diameter that I don't have a lot of confidence in it being able to do the job on a long term basis. Some kind of iron rod may wind up being used for competition with the wood one being just for show. In almost fifty years of shooting muzzleloaders I have never broken a ramrod. I don't want to end that particular drought. Middlesex Village offers a 46 inch barrel Bess with an iron rammer. I will first try them, and if that fizzles out I will get one for the Pedersoli and have an extension forge welded on.
The mold shows up today, and while I don't have everything that will be dedicated to the musket yet, the range box will make it possible start playing with it this weekend or early next week at the latest.
I'll try to get some pictures up after the first range session.