I would be interested in your experience and impression.

I hunt with my 1727 pattern Tulle Fusil de Chasse but its .62 bore is much smaller than the .77 tube on the Bess. I expect the Bess will work about the same as the Tulle; let the deer get close enough to put a ball through its lungs, press the trigger carefully, get out your knife.

I got a doe with a bess, a lung shot at 22 yards. The deer went about 45 yds. and died.

I got another doe with a .62 cal smoothbore, a heart shot at about 44 yards. The deer was standing and died on the spot.

Let them get close and have a sharp flint to prevent a hangfire.

It must be challenging to hunt with those vintage flintlocks with sights that are difficult to see.

I have used a Southern Appalacian smooth rifle with 30" tube. Load was .600 ball patched with .020 oxyoke. Ball is ~325 grs and powder is 80 grains of GOEX 2 ffg. English dover flint knapped sharp. Distance 50 yards through the lungs stopped on off side. Lunged maybe 25 yards and collapsed.

I wouldn't expect much different results from a Brown Bess.

My friends you are very impressive with those smooth bores.