The Brown Bess Musket.

The Brown Bess musket must be one of the strongest and most reliable arms ever made. At .75 calibre it does a lot of damage, and there is little chance of ever losing any game. This musket will take anything from buffalo to rabbits, it will shoot buck & ball, or buckshot, or birdshot, making it very versatile. The lock of course can also be used to make fire.

The long land patter Brown Bess came into use in 1722 I believe and remained in use with the British army right into the 19th century.

The short land pattern Brown Bess appeard about 1740.

The Brown Bess musket was used by civilians as well as military, and the woodland Indians captured many of them for their own use. Some of the long land pattern muskets had their barrels cut short by some Indians and white colonials.

BROWN BESS INFO.

Furniture (fittings) Brass


Caliber of bore .75 (.75 inch)


Caliber of projectile .71 (.71 inch)


Projectile One ounce lead ball


Theoretical maximum range 250 yards


Effective maximum range (100 round volley) 150 - 200 yards


Effective maximum range (Single round) 100 - 150 yards


Favored range Less than 100 yards


Weight 9lbs 11 oz


Optimum effect at 30 yards Will penetrate 3/8" of iron or 5 inches of oak


Rate of fire (Optimum) 4 - 5 rounds per minute


Rate of fire (actual) 2 - 3 rounds per minute


 
In the above video it shows the use of a paper cartridge, which the military and the militia favoured because it made loading faster. However, if you do use a paper cartridge yourself, DO NOT prime the pan first as shown in this video. Use your powder horn to prime the pan after the arm has been loaded.