load for Officers Fusil.....

[Bigmon]

Hi Guys,
I just picked up a nice "Officers Fusil" at the Bushy Run show.
I am not sure but I think it was built from parts from the Rifle Shop, as I know the guy that was building these some years back.
Anyway I get about .660 bore with my calipers.
I was hoping someone might just know what the bore actually is and what size balls I need to get, along with what powder charge???
Thanks

[Daryl]

.648" ball, most likely, with 60 to 90gr. 2F would work, whatever you like.  Once fellow up here in the bush is unbeatable with his 20 bore smoothbore & he shots 85gr. 3F with a .020" patched .595" RB.
.648 (.650" is 17 bore) is a standard size mould, seems to me and should work just fine in that 16 bore. track also sells .648's.

[sonny]

try paper patched round ball. Honestly my 16 gauge loves paper patch with the .648 round ball. 90 grains of 2f with paper patch, 90 grains with cloth patch an ball......sonny

[JVavrek]

Bigmon, I sent ya a PM.

[Mike Brooks]

I have built a lot of 16 bore, seems all the guys who own them shoot a .648 ball.

[Flint62Smoothie]

.648" ball, most likely, with 60 to 90gr. 2F would work, whatever you like.

FWIW that’s what I use in my Fusil de Boucanier by the late John Bosh, of same bore size. My barrel is 54” long however, so I’ve since switched to 1Fg powdah for the long guns and the results are excellent!

If you don’t cast, buy them in bulk from Eddie May from Georgia. 70Six - 5Eight1 - 82Two5