Gear you need to shoot a Whitworth Rifle

This is a historical documentary video. In it we will assemble the period correct gear needed to shoot a muzzleloading Whitworth rifle the way they were shot during the mid-19th century.
In the video, I’ll talk about various bullets, and I’ll demonstrate how to paper patch a bullet. I’ll also discuss punching hexagonal cards and wads, measuring and storing powder, and a few other helpful tips.
All of these techniques are the documented techniques used by our 19th century ancestors.
Mike Beliveau links:
Patreon - / duelist
Website - mikebeliveau.com

[@ResearchPressUK]

A helpful overview of what's needed to get to the range with a Whitworth rifle. On an historical note though (1:30), Joseph Whitworth was not originally an artillery designer as suggested in the video. He was a machine tool manufacturer and was asked to design machinery for the manufacture of rifles - he declined this but agreed to design machinery for the manufacture of the barrel only. He was not asked to design a long range rifle. The service weight bullet of 530 grains with a 70 grain charge were the military requirements at the time. From his experiments to find, in his view, the optimum barrel design, came the famous 1 in 20 twist .45 hexagonally bored barrel. The work on artillery followed from this.

[@mountainholler290]

I have the Parker Hale volunteer rifle and it shoots superbly .

[@johndilday1846]

I have always wanted one of those. I may still get one someday. I was somewhat discouraged by the complicated video put out by Capandball that made it look like nightmare for field use. I thought that perhaps I should get a two band Enfield instead. I just want an accurate rifle that I can shoot relatively easily in the field to shoot Texas hogs with….sigh…..

[@Rs64]

As always, I greatly respect and appreciate your vast knowledge, common sense, and willingness to pass on excellent information. Thank you, and keep up the great videos you shared. You are quite unique!

[@ericvonzipper4374]

I cast my hex bullets out of pure linotype and shoot them unpatched over a lubed felt cardboard backed wad. They are very hard so no problem with leading and they penetrate thru thick wood without deforming. Great video for those thinking of buying a Whitworth.

[@milo8425]

Mike you're a treasure man, this channel is AMAZING. I must implore you to eat less so you stick around to make more content!

[@jonathonkennedy9321]

I’ve been waiting so long for a whiteout video like this!!

[@bgbeck55]

HOLY SH*T!!! I just looked up the price of this rifle on DGW. Mary Pat must be a VERY understanding wife. God Bless her!

[@dennisskurnack1740]

A friend at the range turned me on to using ordinary hardware store "faucet washers" for dry-firing percussion weapons. They come about 10-20 to the pack for about $1-2 bucks. So when they wear out they are easy to replace.

[@davidadams763]

That is what I have used as well and they work great.

[@jasondyer110]

Thanks for this video. I really love the historical stuff you put out. Great job!

[@charlesgroves3096]

That was a super interesting video and I'm looking forward to the shooting session. I do shoot some black powder rifle but after seeing what was necessary to fire the Whitworth I'm kind of glad I was born in the era of the metallic cartridge. Keep em coming.

[@ttoth7130]

Mike. I always enjoy your videos and I like the new close-up camera technique. It's easy to see exactly what you are doing. Please continue to use it when appropriate.

[@megladon89]

Thanks for the great video on this rifle. Really good info!

[@adobewalls2008]

Now you have done it, going down the paper patching rabbit hole... Glad to see you getting to this rifle. I missed my chance at one of the Parker Hale rifles, but I have 2 cousins that are Volunteers with the Henry rifling. Both shoot like a house afire. Love shooting the rifles.

[@earlshaner4441]

Good morning my friend and thank you for sharing your adventures in the history of firearms and weapons

[@TripleAAA53]

Another exemplary video of a rifle we all wanted to drool over !! THANKS so much Mike for your time and effort !!

[@terryschiller2625]

Awesome Mike,lots of time involved in getting it ready. Very interesting thank you Mike.

[@mattkelly3085]

Great Vid! I bought one of these a year ago! This a fun and challenging rifle to shoot accurately. I've had good results using the Lyman .451 "Volunteer mold #451114 that I also use with my Pedersoli 36" Gibbs Long Range muzzleloader, I also have the Pedersoli Sharps Infantry rifle that I bought just before you started making videos about it. Your videos have helped immensely. Thanks Mike!

[@knallis.hjemmelading]

👍thanks for all the information ,this is bye far the best channel on KZbin. I am looking forward to next week when you take it to the range 🇺🇸🇳🇴

[@jameskinsey7866]

Fascinating barrel rifling. I had to wonder if H&K got their polygonal rifling idea from this rifle. Great video and I liked the front filming better in this application. Thanks for your work on here, really enjoy the history with each video.

[@olskool3967]

Mike i love your videos, please don't stop making them. i love when you go to the rendezvous and film them. i am in SC, wish we had some here,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[@waynerobinson2656]

Nice to see you do this one Mike. We have had very good success shooting round .451 bullets out of our original Whitworths at ranges from 200-1000yrds. All of our bullets when retrieved from the target area were bumped up to take the hex bore. Have fun on this journey…

[@Blackpowderdad]

Very cool, Looking forward to the range video!

[@76kz400]

Interesting video, Mike. Looking forward to you getting it to the range!

[@davefellhoelter1343]

Due to YOUR Channel and Others Like You! I AM now awaiting my FIRST Cap Lock long arms! I am evolving from Flint to Caps! Thanks for Your Work!

[@benbateman2085]

I have a Pedersoli Gibbs long range muzzleloader. It’s a beautiful gun in .45 cal. It loads and shoots very much like the Whitworth. Very accurate out to 1000 yards. I’ve shot paper patched bullets and grease grove bullets. The grease grove bullets are a little easier to load but I believe the paper patched bullet are more accurate. Good shooting!

[@alanpeterson6224]

1000 yards?

[@jeffgrier8488]

Thanks for the video Mike, i'm not familiar with these rifles, but now i'm definitely intrigued!

[@terryqueen3233]

I'm very excited to see the next video in you shooting this rifle actually I'm very very excited to see this beautiful rifle in action. I am personally hoping that the 45-70 bullet works with no problem. Thanks for the video look forward to the next one or at least the shooting of this rifle and don't forget to keep your powder dry!

[@UncleSasquatchOutdoors]

Very interesting video. I'm looking forward to seeing how it shoots. Thanks

[@josephsawicki9335]

OMG Mike im soooo jealous that's a beautiful setup I cant wait to see how it shoots im looking at the three bullet's and im hoping the twisted one conforms to the barrel, your always a great show to watch I will be waiting for the site in thank you..

[@451whitworth4]

I've been shooting Whitworth repro's since the mid '90's. I have gone down many of the same roads as far as projectiles, wads, etc. as you show and some you didn't. If someone wants easy, shoot right now loads the cylindrical grease groove bullets sized to bore diameter and .50 cal round card wads and round felt wads work just fine as far as filling the corners of the rifling. When loaded with the hex jag it pushes them right into the bore shape. So glad you did this video and looking forward to the range test.

[@lifebiker105]

I literally cannot wait to see you fire that rifle. I have only seen them in museums always wanted to know how in the world that rifles work. Thank you for the information and thank you in advance for letting us watch you shoot that wonderful looking rifle. Joe security

[@stevetodd693]

Very informative and interesting video, thank you! The Whitworth rifle will have to remain on my “wish list”, but i thoroughly enjoyed this video. As a side note, after accuracy testing at 100 yards, test the three bullets at 200 yards before making your decision.

[@karsonbranham3900]

Masterfully done, and very thorough! Can’t wait to see the range report, in full rebel gear, no doubt!

[@johnmcdonald587]

Mention should be made of the correct weight and type of paper. For example on the Enfield cartridge where the paper wrapping itself is dipped in beeswax, using a wood pulp-based paper will cause issues with cleanly separating upon leaving the muzzle. The lube will leach through the wood pulp paper and cause it to stick to the bullet. A 100% linen-based paper is preferred and is also period-correct. The thickness of the paper will affect the amount of windage of the bullet to bore fit.

[@catyear75]

Absolutely Gorgeous Rifle !!! ‘Nuf Said !

[@Everythingblackpowder]

looking forward to seeing how it shoots!

[@ftargr]

excited for this one

[@wrxs1781]

Great video Mike, I presently own the Pedersoli volunteer rifle in .451, and previously had a Parker Hale reproduction hexagonal Whitworth that I bought used with all the accoutrements. I became tired of casting the hex-bullets and punching wads so I purchased the Lyman mold for the volunteer rifle, I found no appreciable accuracy change in my Parker Hale over the hex projectiles, and still cast the same bullet for the volunteer rifle. I changed nipples and only use the smaller #10 cap with great success.

[@jeffe.9904]

Mike I always know its a great video when I'm Angry that it's over! 😀 I cannot wait to see you shoot it at the range, Thanks Again!

[@widowsson1478]

Thanks for your video. I have an early Parker Hale Whitworth that I’ve been learning to use. It’s the most rewarding and challenging shooting I’ve ever done. Regarding wads, I punch them out from saddle leather 2 or mm thick. As for felt, you don’t need a hex punch. My felt is 3/8” thick felt punched with a normal 12mm punch. It will seal in the hexagonal bore very well.

[@paulbervid1610]

Glad you got one. Great video.

[@chpet1655]

You do what you want to do Mike. If you want to shoot pistols then great. Rifles are fine too but I want to see what YOU want to do so you’re enthusiastic about the topics. Well done in any case and it is a beauty rifle.

[@Manvrick]

Interesting stuff. Looking forward to seeing some range time with that Whitworth.

[@CCM2361-]

Thanks Mike! enjoy your channel

[@win1885]

Quite informative. Enjoyed it.

[@zacharywalker2052]

Really cool rifle really cool history/practical use video

[@bobhollenbeck9768]

Thanks for doing this video. When I asked Pedersoli about these, they gave me a list of possible suppliers. I don't remember Dixie being in there. Interesting piece

[@ericwelle4315]

Mike I have the Pedersoli Whitworth rife and Pedersoli dies and most of the described equipment. I have the die it is three pieces, and upon casting them the top cone is off center. With the use of aluminum tape as a shim. Helps in centering the cap point. No luck with making it work with a paper patch. I found a die made in Canada that is designed to be paper patched and for the Whitworth. It's a two piece die along with the paper patch template. This works as advertised! Looking forward to seeing your range time. Eric

[@michaelhayes7471]

I thought I needed one of those rifles thanks for showing me the errors of my thinking

[@tjh44961]

Mike, that rifle was at the top of my "want list" for muzzleloading firearms. I knew that Pedersoli had produced one, but there was no guarantee how long that would continue, and the Parker-Hale rifles are out of reach. Late last year, I decided that I was going to find one, and purchase it. At that time, the only rifles I could find at all dealers were the "Volunteer" rifles witht eh round bore, which was not what I wanted, I wanted the hexagonal bore. After about a week of searching everywhere I could think of, I sent an email to the Italian Firearms Group, Pedersoli's importer/distributor in the US, and asked if they had any ideas where I could find one, and I told them all the dealers I had contacted. They didn't have any additional suggestions, but the gentleman I spoke to said that they had a returned T&E example that had been used to do a review for one of the industry (as opposed to consumer) magazines, and that he would be happy to send me pictures of it, so that I could see the condition of it, and if I was interested, he could sell it at a "substantial" discount off the list price of the rifle. To say the least, I was very interested, and when I received the pictures and looked them over, I immediately called him with a credit card number. I won't say what I paid for it, because I don't want to make anyone cry, but as you say, it is a beautiful rifle -- probably the most beautiful rifle I own. My loving wife purchased the hexagonal mold for me for my birthday, and I purchased the same wad punch from England as you did. Unfortunately, I still haven't fired it, because my work schedule for the first half of this year has been grueling, and I also need to purchase some 25:1 bullet alloy, so I can get the bullets cast. I may also try the Lyman 457132 Postell bullet mold. Both Cap & Ball and Britishmuzzleloaders have videos on shooting this rifle that are very informative, and I will be watching your next video on this rifle with a great deal of interest.

[@brandonbergemann526]

Love the unique and rare firearms that we don’t get to see very often. To counter the calls for more rifled muskets, I love the early frontier flintlocks like you do more. Maybe a matchlock is in order 😂

[@independentthinker8930]

Gonna be interesting!

[@graypatriot1299]

Really really cool

[@TiglathPileser3]

Beautiful rifle. I do look forward to the range report with video. Excellent video--I also look forward to you improving your utility of the new camera. (edit: I just looked up the rifle on DGW. OUCH! It really is a BEAUTY! I recently had to buy my wife some jewelry to balance out the karma from a Fusil de Chasse order.)

[@henryofskalitz2228]

I have one got it for myself on my birthday I got a Whitworth love the gun it's quite accurate at 800 yards shooting from pa appalachian mountian top to mountian top

[@tinymud3324]

Absolutely WOW Mike: Leaving us in suspense ;o)

[@rogerhudson9732]

The Whitworth was designed as a volunteer rifle. In the mid 19th century all the British army, except for a few training and Guards units, were out fighting in the Empire while Britain was threatened by the French Empire across the channel. The volunteer movement and the National Rifle Association (the original British one pre-dating the US NRA) was the answer. Most volunteers were middle class unlike the regular army. Rifle Volunteers wore a stylish green and grey uniform. The first NRA Patron was Queen Victoria.

[@haroldgodwinson832]

My Father shoot a Whitworth replica (Parker Hale??), among other BP rifles, thirty + years ago. Like you he purchased a mould for a Hex-bullet but found that his best results were achieved with round paper-patched or grease groove .451 projectiles. Although this sounds unlikely, the reality is that soft lead projectiles obturate on firing to perfectly seal the bore. As I recall he used custom moulds one with a flat based and the other slightly concave. Deep cavity bases weren't very accurate from memory; for all the usual reasons. And also, If memory serves, he discarded 'hexagonal' card wads in favour of slightly over-sized standard round wads (for use with grease-groove projectiles). As far as accuracy goes the rifle was capable of about 2MOA groups most of the time. Also, he didn't bother with a Hex-jag. You'll find that standard jags actually do just fine - but with another wrap of cleaning cloth. Same with bronze brushes. You won't need a special hexagonal bronze brush. Good luck.

[@BearMeat4Dinner]

I want one of those !!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@wagon9082]

Good Video

[@jonathonkennedy9321]

Nice watch

[@frydemwingz]

That looks really awesome, but the longer the video got, the more I felt for you. I probably wouldn't buy one after watching this lol. I already have to be in the right mood to shoot a cap and ball pistol.

[@gunslingerfromwish4656]

One of my favorite guns! Although I have plenty.

[@johnveglio4433]

Mike, great video !! Keep doing that with the camera 📷, we can see what you are doing more. It may take you time to get used to it, but it gives us more detail on what you are doing and how you do it. 👍🇺🇸👍🇺🇸👍🇺🇸👍🇺🇸😁😁😁😁😁

[@duelist1954]

Will do.

[@dockilljoy9017]

Just purchase a Robert Hughes upscaled Whitworth for possibly wealthy individual in the late 1800s. She engraved and retains 20% of the nickel silver descriptive finish. These videos are very informative

[@duelist1954]

Great score! I’m envious.

[@AFpaleoCon]

I just got my first black powder rifle. A Pedersoli Brown Bess and within 10 minutes of opening it up I sliced my hand open on the flint!

[@Tammy-un3ql]

interesting project 👌👌👌👌

[@Schlachtschule]

Fascinating stuff, Mike, thank you! I need to make paper-wrapped bullets for my Martini Henry, but I got a mold that makes full-sized bullets for it so I could avoid doing that--it just seems like such a tedious pain in the butt. Still, watching you do it makes me want to give it a try. Will you be making paper cartridges for the Whitworth? I find the complexity of the Whitworth-style cartridges fascinating. As for the tool, I don't know what the Trapdoor tools looked like, and the Enfield tool had a "Y" shape, but there were Springfield rifled-musket tools that loo0ked like that. Civil War Digital Digest has an excellent video about this ("US Musket Tools - Vol. VI, Episode 7"), and they were nipple wrenches, not spring vises. The spring vises had a turnscrew on top.

[@benrobertson7855]

Hi,from my experience with a original two band, commercial military . it’s sweet without a hex cleaning jag. Probably because I clean pretty much compulsive…With a real soft Cotten patch…l just use a heavy hex card wad( yep beer coaster…better used…) I haven’t found the felt wad to do much,but I don’t use it after 1 km as I really can’t see much ,that far,from sight to target … of course paper patched and lubed up.I have a number of cast moulds ,including a original military one which looks to be arsenal made from a barrel section incased in a half inch brass case. It has a hollow base ,which still means they were trying to upset the lead,bit of tin mix….so you have to set your load between the lead mix x charge x paper patch and lube…! .I recommend Peter Dyson company,great service,I don’t use their mould as it doesn’t fit my original,might be better on a p.h or ped…? Regards.

[@russellcraven251]

I had one that shot well with the Lyman bullet that they make for the whitworth.a greased felt wad over 75 GRS of goex 2f Best group was 3/4 inch at 100 yards.Somewhere on KZbin is a video of a British fellow shooting one at 800 yds on a man sizedctarget

[@russellcraven251]

Looking forward to vseeing it shoot!

[@corneliussulla9963]

Some months ago I got myself an three band Enfield made by Parker Hale and for a moment I thought "Ya should have bought a Whitworth. I much more accurate..." But seeing all the trouble that comes with it, I think I would buy the Enfield again, even if I had both right in front of me and could choose freely.

[@lawrencehudson9939]

Another positive vote for a great video explanation. Now I feel the best camera angle in the video was of the paper patching of the bullet. The first part of the video as you know gave you problems because of auto focus on your camera. If you had also shot this part at the same angle as the paper patching segment I think it would have been better for the viewer.

[@robertstallard7836]

Hi Mike, This looks like a really interesting project I'll be following closely. I have an original .451 Volunteer that I'm trying to get to grips with. Of course, the Whitworth is different for a number of reasons, but we're both shooting a precise muzzle-loading firearm in .451 calibre with all the finnickety loading processes, wads etc. Will you be using a loading funnel to make sure all your precisely-measured powder makes it to the breech? Really pleased you've got this going on as your current KZbin project. Good luck!

[@lewisgreenway5065]

Looking forward to seeing how the shooting goes, you had a lot of work before the pleasure of firing the weapon.

[@gregoblv5561]

All the things we need to know to support the Whitworth rifle. I like the new camera location, though I thought the old one worked for me. I kept wanting to look down at the bench while you were talking though. Question: why the large grain powder? I am not at all familiar with this type of rifle so I am lost. Can't wait to see it go bang.

[@jeffshootsstuff]

@duelist1954 you asked for feedback on the new video/bench angle and I prefer the previous method from over your shoulder. The focus on the new setup doesn't work well and we end up looking at your face rather than the items you're talking about. Just FWIW. Great video overall, as always.

[@ronrobertson59]

I had a Parker Hale Whitworth rifle. I never had any luck getting it to shoot like I thought it would. You will find it hard to load it has to have a rod and patch ran through the barrel between shots. It is a pain to clean and not worth it the trouble to me. I traded it for a Parker Hale 1858 Navy rifle and bayonet made in England a No.5 Jungle carbine and a bunch of 303 ammo. I hope you have more luck a patients than me.

[@wayneblair288]

I always wanted a whitworth rifle.

[@chuckaddison5134]

One note, while you were patching the bullets, you set up the two bullets out of view of the camera. I would suggest marks on the table to avoid that in the future. Also, there was some vbration transferred to the camera while you were rolling the patches that came across as thumping. Some rubber, foam or other vibration absorbing material btwn the table and tripod should eliminate that. In any event, a very interesting video. Would love to purchase one of these but a bit out of my range at the moment. Looking forward to the range video. Thank you

[@craigwilcox4403]

You could use a portable drill - thread end in the jaws, file n sandpaper to reduce nipple diameter. Works well for me. Lathe would be better, but too expensive!

[@snappers_antique_firearms]

Wow i did not even know they made replicas of a whitworth. Always thought they were extremely interesting. Looking forward to more videos on it.

[@HzgtSM]

Sadly, it’s really hit or miss with Pedersoli Whitworths. I had a friend that had to order 3 examples because 2 where below acceptable

[@snappers_antique_firearms]

@@HzgtSM wow. Thats upsetting for the price they charge. Was it fit or was it the finish that was the problem

[@garrettfromsmokeinthewoods]

Hi imagine seeing you here lol.... I'm late

[@snappers_antique_firearms]

@@garrettfromsmokeinthewoods hey garrett. Yeah your late to the party...better late then never. Also i need one of these whitworths.

[@garrettfromsmokeinthewoods]

@@snappers_antique_firearms lol after your original Patterson 😆

[@raymondheywood6703]

I am sure that know that Parker Hale for some time owned Sir J's original jigs and gauges and made made rifles to them. Sir J . was one of the founders of The Institution of Mechanical Engineers . His best known is the Whitworth screw Ray Member of IMechE NRA NRA of America .

[@sithyarael6807]

Whitworth at the time was well worth the money. I love the history of black powder rifles and the Whitworth at the time was on of the most accurate for long range shooting. Yet the barrel was way ahead of it's time for black powder.

[@rifleman17hmrshooter]

I've been wanting a hex whitworth for years

[@michaelcroy3026]

Hello again. Thank you for another great video. Question. What type of paper did you use for the paper patch material? Rag paper?

[@dennisatkins9837]

Wow that’s quite a chore. I thought for a minute you were going to say that the caps were hexagonal!😁

[@randyzwieg8467]

You have the patience of Job.

[@papercartridges6705]

It is a lot of work, expensive components for an expensive gun… but it is all somehow more than worth it when you hear the “claaang” of that 600 yard gong after slinging a long heavy bullet into it.

[@henryofskalitz2228]

Also can you try peter Dyson's hexagonal bullet mold?

[@Neighborhoodgo2guy]

Mike, have you ever had any experience with the Kibler Long rifle kits? I'd like to "retire" my short barreled Hawken. Thanks

[@duelist1954]

They are the best kits, by a mile!

[@andrewwhite6201]

great video lots of content can not what to see you shooting it

[@johnstacy7902]

Great video! I'd have probably chuckled the nipple up on a drill. Did the Reb sharp shooters work in pairs or single? One guy loads while the other guy shoots.

[@duelist1954]

I'm no expert on Civil War Sharpshooters, but it looks like most Confederate Sharpshooters were snipers, not skirmishers, so, alone.

[@thompsonjerry3412]

Your friend at Cap and Ball EU has two videos with an alternate loading technic.

[@kennethbrantley9582]

Okay there is two percussion guns for sale at a shop. One is 29 Inches . And the other is 23 inches. I am disabled and the 23 inches Is this year for me to handle. Do you think the 23 Inches one will be that much Not as accurate? What if I wanted to Go Hunting? Would the 23 inch Barrel would Be that less accurate?

[@ramona14220]

“They couldn't hit an elephant at this dist...” General John Sedgwick's last words.

[@hettro-cv6082]

Great video! Why did the Enfield rifle's have a lead nipple protector? The rifle came from England so is it something that England did?

[@ATH_Berkshire]

Interesting video and subject. On your camera experiment I like the idea but the auto focus just doesn’t work. Have you considered lots and lots of light and an SLR in movie mode stopped right down to give as large a depth of focus as possible. That should allow you to set a focus and switch of the auto off.

[@innerlight7018]

One suggestion. Don't use autofokus with your camera when inside. Use fixed distance with large aperture value to maximize the depth of field.

[@swathdiver489]

How about a Tompion for when not in use?

[@johnparrish9215]

Sir, years ago you did a review on the Gibbs 12-bore rifle. It's been so long ago that I can't remember if you liked it or not, did you like it?? I have a chance to buy one now, that is why I'm asking.

[@duelist1954]

I did like it, It was a fine rifle, but I only had it on loan from Dixie Gun Works.