The Parker Hale "Volunteer" Military Target Rifle: Introduction, Loading and Firing

[@ggwscottie2]

That range box is the coolest thing I've seen in weeks.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thanks!

[@eiclan]

Gday from Australia, I take it that there will be 3 or 4 shooters firing on the same target to maintain a reasonable rate of fire in a match. I have been a target shooter since I was a boy at boarding school when we used to take our cadet SMLEs home and I had a SMLE target rifle in my cupboard in the dorm. We swore an oath to the Queen on joining the rifle club as it was the third tire of the military and shot the military rifle of the day. This was in transition as the Australian military were then using the SLR in Vietnam.A thirteen year old boy with two military rifles, I used to do ten good trigger pulls every night aiming at a black mark on the fire escape door at the end of the dorm. Simple times then. Cheers Ross

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+eiclan Hi there. I have never used this rifle in a competition so I couldn't comment on the procedure at the firing point, sorry. Great story, by the way. What kind of sights were on your SMLE? Cheers.

[@NormanMatchem]

Amazing bit of craftsmanship there in that case...

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+NormanMatchem Thanks. It's not exactly fine furniture, but it gets the job done... :-)

[@Polymath9000]

The quality of this video is beyond anything on history channel these days👍👍👍great video.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@clevercamera3638]

The only facet of this video that impressed me more than the rifle box was the shooting of this video. I very much appreciate your shooting, editing and narration - very economical with no superfluous information. Well done 👍 !

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thank you!

[@donphilp7511]

Once again I am amazed at what you do!!!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Cheers!

[@KB4QAA]

Wonderful presentation and description of this era's shooting. Your stand is certainly in keeping with the era. Thanks.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Pelican1984 Glad you liked it. I'm due for a follow up clip of this rifle. Thanks for adding to my list of things to do!.... :-)

[@matthayward7889]

Fascinating! Thank you for putting the time and effort into filming this 👍

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

You are most welcome!

[@spacecaesar7619]

Sir, you are an absolute legend.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Oh, come on now... glad you enjoyed it.

[@hamm6033]

I don't know if you will be notified that I've added a comet 3+ years after it is made but what an excellent presentation. I am in awe. I would love to see how well you shot. The box was pure genius. Bravo

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Oh yes... the little advisories about comments come in all the time. Glad you enjoyed things!

[@survivalcomms]

Another incredible video. Your passion for what you do is evident.Thanks for sharing !

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thank you very much!

[@andybelcher1767]

"These rifles definitely let you know that they are being shot". Superb! The surrounding mountains help but, fantastic!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Cheers!

[@jacquesamyot5093]

I LOVE THAT RANGE BOX!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thanks very much. It seems to work quite well enough for my purposes. Cheers.

[@Tigershark-qy2gq]

So jealous of that range box. Brilliant!

[@yorkshireson]

I have been mildly curious f muzzle loading for some years but your demonstration has really wetted my appetite to find out more. Thank you

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Great! Its a bit of a different discipline than cartridge shooting but exceptionally rewarding... Especially "Smallbore" shooting (i.e. 45 cal) like this.... Cheers.

[@minuteman4199]

I loved the back ground music!! I used to be a cadet bandsman. I know all those tunes and played half of them.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Minute Man Very nice! Glad you enjoyed it. Cheers.

[@fepatton]

That range box is awesome! Great video - nice to see that rifle in action.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Fred Patton Thanks. About time I got it (the rifle) back out there...

[@ryuhadouken2722]

Just bought one recently I am currently waiting for it to be delivered to my home. So excited since I already cast 45 caliber bullets to be specific 535gr pure lead. I am planning to do some experimenting such as putting a gas check and even powder coating the bullet. Many people say you don’t have to do this for black powder however in the reloading manual it suggests using 10% tin to be added to your lead. In replacement of that I simply just add a gas check. The procedure of watching you do this not only gave me a better idea of how to do it specially with this rifle but how meditative it is. To load a musket military style is usually done in a fast as possible to send lead down range. In this application is slow and steady, relaxed and of course artistic in its own form.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

A copper gas check will more than likely inhibit the proper expansion of the base... Hence the use of the card wad. The bullet needs to be able to squash (bump up) in the bore. This is the principle with these rifles. If you make the bullet too hard, it will not upset well enough. Round Withworth bullets were pure lead... A hardened alloy was used (generally) with the use of hexagonal bullets that mechanically fit in the bore, allowing for more velocity and accuracy in front of a larger powder charge by limiting the amount of deformity incurred upon firing.

[@ryuhadouken2722]

@@britishmuzzleloaders appreciate the help. I currently use pure soft lead, I have a gas check maker that produces aluminum gas checks. I just bought vegetable card wads.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

@@ryuhadouken2722 The Research Press website run by David Minshall in the UK has some very good information on these types of rifles in eluding their use in the modern day.

[@ryuhadouken2722]

@@britishmuzzleloaders interesting, will do, I also just saw the KZbinr paper cartridge and his take on the rifle as well both of you guy us do a awesome job on this stuff.

[@diktatoralexander88]

I love this shit. Thank you Robb for putting this stuff out, although it's just video entertainment it's still very informative and I always enjoyed your dedication to historical accuracy, bringing in the old kit and what not. This stuff made my teenage years worth living.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Very kind!

[@diktatoralexander88]

@@britishmuzzleloaders honestly didn't even know the video was this old. I just saw a vid from your channel, and clicked because I like to watch. Hm should I get a FAL, inch receiver (like the british kind?) Or that would just make me want to get the L85 next (which aren't even available to civilians,)

[@t.jameskerr7561]

Been watching your videos awhile now and they are first rate every one of them. I just picked up a P-H Volunteer rifle recently and was happy to find that you had done a video on it.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

A fun rifle for sure! A different beast, those small bore rifles!

[@t.jameskerr7561]

​@britishmuzzleloaders i don't suppose there is any chance of the possibility of seeing a couple pictures of your shooting box? I like your setup and would like to try and build something similar for mine. N-SSA shooter here and my shooting cart for skirmishing isn't really and ideal setup for this rifle.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

@@t.jameskerr7561 I am going to do a Pt 2… The spec of the box will be part of it…

[@t.jameskerr7561]

​@britishmuzzleloaders awesome, i look forward to it. My volunteer rifle is set up a little different, I have a 6x Malcolm side mounted scope on mine. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJCZZ4t4attpnMUsi=uNDFFa2aYZoCMhi2

[@Tigershark-qy2gq]

I just bought an old perfect condition Parker And Hale Volunteer rifle. Your channel costs my pocket book substantially I have to say. :P Thanks for another excellent video. You enabler!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

I'll take that blame any day.... 🙂

[@Tigershark-qy2gq]

@@britishmuzzleloaders I think I bought one with Rigby rifling. It's just a serial number in the 900's. What is your view on Rigby vs Henry rifling? Might be a good future video. It would take someone like you to prove the advantages and accuracy, practicality of Withworth, vs Rigby, vs Henry rifling.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

@@Tigershark-qy2gq The early ones were Rigby rifled, yes. While the Whitworth was the first successful small bore rifling, it wasn't the best. Yours has the very small lands, right?

[@Tigershark-qy2gq]

@@britishmuzzleloaders I'm not sure yet. It's being mailed to me. I just bought it today, but haven't handled it yet. I think he said it was very early one and the serial number is 948.

[@Tigershark-qy2gq]

@@britishmuzzleloaders I have Rigby rifling. What do you think about the Rigby rifling?

[@paulalexander2928]

Excellent dissertation as always on a little discussed topic.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thank you!

[@NBarker1993]

I really like that case containing all the necessary gear. Very useful.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Anon San Thanks, it makes life a bit easier with such a complicated loading procedure. Cheers.

[@Jrhoney]

I am suddenly enamored with this military style target rifle and feel the urge to acquire one. Bravo and Bully! on the video.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

They certainly are a different beast, for sure. Very "dignified" though... Just be prepared for the cleaning regime during firing if you want to get the most out of it.... Thanks for the kind words.

[@glenholmes9808]

Thank you for this, and all the other videos you have made. I find them to be very informative, historical, practical AND entertaining! I shoot a Pedersoli made " Volunteer" rifle and others, both black powder and more " modern". Thanks again and please keep up the great work!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

You are most welcome. "Small bore" BP muzzleloaders are a special breed for sure.

[@ericstefanelli3423]

Really interessting video about the exagonal barrel system, many thanks for share it !

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Most welcome!

[@richardt.4224]

This is not the first of your videos I have watched as I find them very interesting and informitive (thank you). I have been shooting black powder muzzle loader for fifty year, but mostly clay target shotgun. On retirment from competition I took up patch round ball shooting, punching paper to start with, hunting came later. I found using a range rod with a spinning jag helped a lot, as the solid jag tended to skip over the lands, so not cleaning the rifling fully, may be worth looking at. Enjoying your videos, please keep on making them please.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

You are most welcome!

[@wganz]

Thanks!! I just got a Pedersoli repro of that since it had been my grail rifle since I was a teen. In the process of setting up the bullet trap on the farm so I can take it out to 500 yards.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Nice!

[@Mike_858]

10:14 - Sir, I award you the trophy for recording the best sounding gunshot in the internet. Also very impressive firearm. I shoot an 1853 enfield but always thought about getting into long range with either a Pedersoli Gibbs or a Volunteer rifle.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thank you kindly!

[@gavindavies793]

Cracking video, that last 'real time' scene makes one realise just how effective your box/stand is. This is the sort of shooting I'd like to get into, luckily there's a club just a few miles from my new house. It looks therapeutic almost. Like photography with a an old manual SLR, as opposed to modern digital compacts. But with more smoke...

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Therapeutic is the best way to describe it, for sure.

[@myparceltape1169]

Here! Are you calling my camera "old" ? I'll have you know it's only 35. ;-)

[@gavindavies793]

@@myparceltape1169 almost as old as my comment 😜 My oldest SLR is a zenit foto sniper, but I do have a working Brownie from the 1920s. Nowt wrong with either one

[@Bayan1905]

I've been at matches and watch guys shooting the Pedersoli copy of these. It's amazing the accuracy you can get out of one.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Indeed!

[@canuckloyalist4681]

Love the Parker Hale micrometer sights on my old BSA!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

A bit later, but similar thing, yes...

[@LandonRoy-cv9rt]

As a SMLE owner I’m fascinated at the in-depth information provided in this channel

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Glad to hear. Lots of info on other and older rifles too!

[@thijsrikkerink6333]

After seeing that range box I know what my winter project will be ;). Cheers.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

There will be a follow up video with some more details on the box.

[@thijsrikkerink6333]

@@britishmuzzleloaders Sounds good. Do you have more videos shooting this rifle? I couldn't seem to find them myself. Cheers.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

@@thijsrikkerink6333 Not yet.

[@roadpanzir]

This is just great, well done! I thought my old Gerstner chest worked well for the Gibbs rifle components but this is Bristol fashion!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Cheers!

[@nakedarmy]

I really like that loading box you made. I'm going to need to make one myself!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

I'm going to have to put together a clip and show the dimensions! Cheers.

[@tmarshmello4748]

The video is great, well done ! I must have watched it 10 times. How about sharing the basic dimensions of that kit box you made ?

[@johannesvanhoek9080]

Very nice well planned and informative video , thank you sir for all the hard work 👍👍👍

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

You are most welcome!

[@AGermanFencer]

Very cool vid. Love the rifle, love your presentation and this box :D Subbed.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thanks for your subby my friend. Glad you liked the clip. Cheer.

[@troyreynolds4520]

Very nicely done. I love that shooting box going to make one for my volunteer. I hope to set my third national record this year with my volunteer.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Troy Reynolds Wow. That's some shooting! What bullet/load do you use? Cheers.

[@notarokescientist3003]

You should offer the shooting box. I would order one for certain. What a convenience.

[@charlesfitton9677]

Truly enjoyable and civilized

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Cheers!

[@charlesfitton9677]

@@britishmuzzleloaders I have learned much in a few videos...really like the rifle/shooting stores stand.

[@Gunrunner4532]

I love this video! Great rifle.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thank you!

[@luzernerschutze7564]

A very fine Piece of british Engineering.

[@joeblow9657]

I found this video very relaxing

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Cheers!

[@daffern1]

Very nice video. I wish someone would produce a range box like yours! It would come in handy for my Whitworth and my Volunteer. Cheers!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Hi there. It really isn't that hard to make. I used a table saw, but I suppose that you could do it with a skill saw and a fence... Do you shoot hexagonal bullets or round ones in your Whitworth? Cheers.

[@daffern1]

britishmuzzleloaders In the Whitworth I've tried both round and hexagonal, flat base and concave, grease groove and plain, all with varying results. Harder alloys work better for me and I haven't noticed much difference between hex and round (with concave base). Keeping the bore clean, and using the cardboard cards and felt wads as specified in the original loading instructions works well. Good luck and thanks again for the videos.

[@453421abcdefg12345]

A really excellent presentation ! I really like your range box, but I have to say the use of those horrid modern screws ! They gave me a rash they were so awful, I know you made this as a practical piece of equipment but it would not be much more effort to use "period" screws, if you can still buy them in Canada. You have a very nice rifle there, as you know the Parker hale , made to the original gauges, is no longer made, so yours is something to treasure. Thanks for posting this.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Englishman French I'm Canadian,..... I use Canadian screws...... :-)... You were right with your assumption that it was made with practicality in mind, and materials that were just as handy... But really, why such screw snobbery?.... :-)...... (completely kidding)...

[@453421abcdefg12345]

britishmuzzleloaders I do hope I have not upset you with my observations, my comment was made for the simple reason that your videos are so well presented that I think a lot of young enthusiasts would want to watch them for study purposes, as you take so very much time in getting the whole of your presentation period correct it is safe to assume that anything you say, or present will be correct, therefore, any young person watching this could conclude that the Phillips/Pozi screws were in use in Victorian times, you have, in my opinion constructed a range box in exactly the same way that any well to do rifle shooter in Victorian times would have specified, everything in its place, and no wasted space, I thought that the screw heads were out of place on such an excellent project for the aforementioned reasons, on reflection I suppose our Victorian rifle shooter would have had a "man" to carry his kit, so would not need a range box. I did notice the snow cleared pretty quickly when you started shooting. As for "Screw Snobbery" I think you are right, living in a 17Th century house I am always changing the dreaded Pozi's for slotted screws. I am just off to change some now! Good Shooting to you!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

My good man, all my responses were very much in good fun. I appreciate your attention to detail and applaud your observations that someone might come to think that Robertson screws were in fact a feature in Victorian times. I must admit though, that the box was constructed long before any thought of producing videos came along and, not wanting to use stainless screws, I thought that brass might just look better. It does, just not quite "enough" though, eh? .... :-)... All said and done, I think I might just add an annotation to the clip addressing what you have raised... Valid points all...... As for Phillips screws,..... they are perhaps the worst screw invented and count myself lucky that I am not forced into using them for any else other than drywall.... I count myself fortunate that I get to interact with individuals such as yourself, through this forum here on YT... Many thanks for YOUR passion and input. Best of luck with your 17th century house!!!!! Wow.... I though I was doing OK in a 100 year old one..... Though my doorways are at least human sized.... :-). Cheers.

[@myparceltape1169]

@@britishmuzzleloaders This is off the real topic, not important. It is just that I found that a modern carpenter used steel crosshead screws but he buried them. First a countsunk hole, put in screw then cover with a mixture of the wood from the countsunk hole and adhesive. The piece took ages to dismantle.

[@Norton16hbig4]

I have been watching ALL your videos with great attention and enthusiasm! I have been shooting the 1853 3 band Enfield all my life and have just taken a plunge, I am buying the brand new Pedersoli made Whitworth hexagonal bore rifle. I have heard good reports about it, I should receive it in a month. I am going to be building a range box based on yours out of mahogany I have been saving for a special occasion. Good job and keep the videos coming!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Norton16hbig4 Great! I look forward to hearing about how yours turns out and any cool ideas you incorporate into it. Make sure you get, or make, an hexagonal cleaning jag to get the fouling out of the corners of the bore... Apparently, this is arguably the most important aspect to shooting the Whitworth. Cheers.

[@troyreynolds4520]

I use 80 grains of 3 F's Swiss powder no wad & a 475 gr. Pure lead bullet cast from a Layman mold. Also R W S # 11 caps on a titanium nipple. The targets are shot 200 yds off hand 300 yds sitting & 600 yds prone. This load has worked good for me out to 1000 yards.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Troy Reynolds That must have a stout recoil. Takes a load like that to get out to 800-1000 though, I suppose. What kind of sights do you have?

[@John76220]

whoaaa ! mister, your shooting box is just marvellous ! i'll make jalous the old shooters in my club :D. great job

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thanks. I made it because I typically shoot in austere locations and needed all the benefits of range facilities but it had to be portable... Seems to work OK. Cheers.

[@davo171]

Love the video, the rifle, and the kit you have made for it! Were early telescopic sights ever used on such rifles?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+davo171 They were around in their infancy, but they weren't used in any British Empire service context. These rifles were predominantly used for military match shooting and were the precursor to the heavy, half-stocked match rifles that came around later in the decade. Telescopic sights were not permitted in that context.... These types of rifles were used in the American Civil War and I believe that there might be some evidence of telescopic sights being used... Glad you found the clip interesting! Thanks.

[@davehanson3425]

Great video and totally impressive! Would you be able to tell me which model rear sight and base you are using? I've just purchased a new unfired Parker Hale version and would like to "accurize" it for competition use. Also your field box looks very well thought out and completely functional. I'd like to build a similar version of it. Thanks again for sharing your videos of our military heritage!BZ

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Mmm,... It's been a while, but as I remember, it's this one... www.davide-pedersoli.com/scheda-accessorio.asp/l_en/idpr_149/pre_0/accessories-creedmoors-english-creedmoor-sight.html

[@marcin_szczurowski]

Unfired Parker Hale rifle is a treasure.

[@bobheale2521]

Nice video and bit of history...and I quite like all your choices of background music. Any chance of a video showing some long range groupings?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Bob Heale I haven't shot the Volunteer beyond 200m but it's certainly due to stretch it's legs!... Good idea to include some examples of what it is capable of. Thanks Bob.

[@44gunsmoke]

Nice report from that rifle.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Yes it does have a nice crack..

[@andrefonteyne2591]

Comparing black powder shooting and shooting a Mauser 98k for instance, I prefer black powder. The length of the shooting process makes it much more fun ! Otherwise it is just about consuming ammunition, which is costly. To do that a 22LR is much more suited, as it is cheaper. Another great video; I would not go that far, but admire your dedication.

[@andrefonteyne2591]

I am also thinking of cenverting an old confederate uniform into a volunteer one, they are much smarter !

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Small bore muzzleloaders like this are definitely a step away from the bog standard Enfields.... Very deliberate. That said they are WAY more accurate than the service arm of the time..... As for the uniform... They are a similar grey but I think that the Elcho grey has a bit more brown in it.... Not sure though. It would certainly do. Similar hats and similar tunic skirt length too..

[@markcooper6736]

Great video ,love the music also

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Some "County" Regiment marches....

[@waynehuff3984]

This was a Great video. I would like to know more about the "Volunteer" men and how they preformed as a unit or company. Their tactics and training. I've gone and looked up some of the units but they say little.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

The Volunteers of the 1860s were trained in similar moments to the Army. They weren't however, intended for manoeuvre but rather static defence of locations and areas... a role their marksmanship focus was particularly relevant for.

[@lisar3006]

I like your range box I think I will try my hand at producing one that can accommodate two rifles for use in cowboy action shooting .

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Sounds great! This one will hold up to three, providing that the cock does not protrude, as with a percussion lock... Your Winchesters, etc should fit without problem.

[@lazaglider]

britishmuzzleloaders The number of times I’ve run into trouble due to a protruding cock...

[@lucianozoppellaro4188]

I like so much your videos, well made and with a lot of details! I'm interested in this weapon... I really would like if you'll shoot other videos with the rifle "Volunteer". Thank you!! Bye! Ciao!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thanks! Yes I plan to do a follow up on this rifle. Cheers.

[@hamm6033]

I should also let you know I am going to reproduce the "box & stand" shamelessly. Although I don't have a Parker Hale, I do have a custom Jager .54 rifle I acquired for shooting. Thanks again.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Please, let me know how it turns out!

[@normanrea4509]

Very proffesionally done. Where do I obtain a cap.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thank you Norman. The cap is from "Sally Pointer". She is in Wales. sallypointer.com/scots/hummel-bonnets Very pleasant to deal with and rather reasonable for a custom, hand made bonnet. Cheers.

[@andreadavide]

Thank you and congratulations for a really well done video. I am curious about the source of music, especially because at around 9:00 the band plays "Gaudeamus Igitur", the international anthem of universities. As an academic myself I am quite fond of that piece of music. BTW, I too shoot a P.-H. Volunteer and I too do it wearing a Glengarry....

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Andrea Davide Thank you for kind words. As for the music, I think that it was an arrangement by the Coldstream Guards... What bullet and load do you shoot in your Volunteer? Cheers.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Mine too has Henry rifing. 60 gr is quite a gentle load, for sure. At what ranges do you shoot it?

[@andreadavide]

britishmuzzleloaders Unfortunately I cannot enjoy the open spaces and I am limited to 100 metres most of the time, thus 60 grains are enough. What is your favorite load? BTW, I've found the original recordings from the Coldstream Guards. Why they mixed Gaudeamus Igitur and Ich Hatt einen Kameraden still puzzles me...

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Andrea Davide I have found that 75gr seems to work well enough out to 300m.... This with a 500gr Lee Shaver bullet from Buffalo Arms. Cheers.

[@mattyallen3396]

Brilliance

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thank you!

[@MarvelDcImage]

Are those Robertson head screws the Canadians say are superior to Philips head screws? 05:16

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

It's not up to us to say they are,.... they just are,......

[@tallman2210]

I would love to see an accuracy test of this rifle.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

That will be in the next video in the series...

[@mitta1973]

Fantastic videos as usual, I would like to borrow the plans of a shooting box if you can please?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Jonathan Mita Glad you enjoyed it. I idon'thave any plans for the box... I just made it from some numbers on a scrap of paper... I'll measure it for you and let you know. OK?

[@loupuleff571]

Do you have a drawing of your shooting box ? Great video !

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

I do not, sorry...

[@loupuleff571]

Too bad that's a real nice set up !!@@britishmuzzleloaders

[@oberstleut9189]

Great video!! I shoot my Volunteer Rifle (Henry Rifling) with 100 grain of "Schweizer No.2 (3Fg) and a 540 grain bullet seized to .450. I load it the same way, like you.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Glad you liked it! 100 gr of 3F? That must thump quite a bit!

[@stefannegler2314]

In most local precission shooting matches here in Germany they clean the fouling before pouring the charge. So i wonder what´s the benefit of cleaning the barrel with the charge inside? Youre box is truly an excellent piece of engeneering art at is best! Keep up the good work!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

I (and others) have found that there is a risk of getting the nipple channel clogged with moisture/fouling when cleaning to the breech. To lessen this, firing a cap before loading is commonly done. By cleaning to the charge, this is obviated.

[@andrewince8824]

Here's a crazy tidbit from history, Parker Hale went down partially because of two men in a shed. Those two men developed what would become the L96. They didn't expect to win the contract but they did and now Accuracy International is a well known company and Parker Hale has become almost unknown. Even crazier is the fact that the L96 replaced the Lee Enfield. The replacement of the L42A1 marked the end of a 102 year stint for the Lee-Metford and Enfield family of rifles in British service.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Great story!

[@andrewince8824]

@@britishmuzzleloaders I could never do it justice. Ian on Forgotten Weapons does the crazy and wonderfully British tale of the L42's replacement with the L96 and the subsequent demise of the Parker Hale M85 real justice.

[@ww321]

Great video!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thank you, sir. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@leehopgood2408]

love the work you do 👍🏻 I have a PH .451 ‘volunteer’, rapidly becoming my favourite muzzleloader. What load are you using here?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

At the time of this video, I was still experimenting.. I've since settled on 72gr FFg.

[@693514V]

I find of all your videos, I keep coming back to watch this the most ! Another question, if you don't mind my asking...the powder funnel, I assume it is made out of a soft enough material so as not to put any premature wear on the rifling ? Or is it smaller in diameter where as it does not touch the bore sides ?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

It's made of brass... I did wrap it in duct tape but that was something that I didn't need to do... the plain brass would have been just fine... the size is just smaller than bore so it doesn't scrape the rifling....

[@693514V]

@@britishmuzzleloaders Thank you !

[@adamhavelock2104]

Lovely price of handiwork in that range kit.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thank you!

[@RabidMortal1]

Superb!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thank you sir. Glad you liked it.

[@stevensheldon9271]

Hey - I notice that the Volunteer rifle has a clean-out screw on the bolster. Did all original Volunteer rifles have this originally? My guess is this is why Pedersoli has started doing this (incorrectly) to their Enfields - they are trying to standardize tooling.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Just to clarify, there were no "Volunteer" rifles as the name os this one may suggest... There were a relatively high number of differing "small bore" rifles in the 1860s... The Whitworth, the Henry, the Kerr, are all different types of rifling used at the time. This rifle is a Henry rifled small bore rifle "representative" of those of the era. "Volunteer" was a term used to loosely describe rifles made for the Volunteer movement and were privately purchased... Far and away, "Volunteer" rifles were simply versions of the P53. No, the clean out screw was not historical...

[@TheRacso2552]

Very cool! But they didn't use the kit on the battlefield, right?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

They didn't use the RIFLE (emphasis, not yelling) on the battlefield....... These were used only in competition... That said, a quantity of the Whitworth Rifle was brought into service in 1863 (8000 rifles of the "1862 Pattern", but were never intended to replace the service arm and were used for trials... These small bore rifles come about at a very peculiar time as shortly after, the Snider breechloader in .577 was introduced. The small bore, however, would eventually enter service with the adoption of the Martini-Henry which used not the the hexagonal bore of the Whitworth, but Henry rifling... Hence the name. This is the same rifling as the Volunteer. These rifles have many drawbacks including the tendency to foul greatly (hence the rigorous cleaning regime) and the fact that they shoot with very high pressures, so high in fact that they will burn out steel nipples in a matter of just a few rounds...

[@noelmajers6369]

(6:20) "There are many ways to load a small bore military rifle, but this is mine." Has the author been watching Full Metal Jacket, perchance ? ;-)

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Haha. No, but there are many ways..:-)

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

I am familiar... And I did know that he filmed it in the UK, including all the Hue based scenes... Incredible really.

[@gavindavies793]

I did by basic training for the TA (Reserves) at ATR Bassingbourne (as was), which was the location for the scenes on 'the island'. The bunkroom is actually on the second storey, they added dummy pillars to make it appear to be ground floor. It's now a lecture room.

[@lazaglider]

I am having great fun watching through your videos, thank you. Incidentally, do you happen to know the name of the piece from which the variation at 9:50 is taken? It is familiar to me, but I struggle to put a name to it.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

I'm sorry, I can't find the reference to it. Glad you are enjoying things!

[@lazaglider]

britishmuzzleloaders No problem, it will come to me eventually. I think the appeal for me lies in your old fashioned methodical approach. Everything in the modern world is about pressure to do things more quickly, to maximise output at a cost of quality. There is almost a cathartic element to your videos, a welcome break from the rush of modern life. All the best.

[@motorhead29]

I believe that it may be Gaudemus Igitur, I may be mistaken though. And I agree, these videos are brilliant fun to watch. They have re-kindled my wish to own a Baker rifle, and to be able to fire it. Owning one, save the monetary concerns is feasible. Being able to fire it, a different story thanks to UK Firearm statutes.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

motorhead29 There are indeed hoops but firing one is well within the realm of possibility. I think that you might be right on the tune, there. Thanks.

[@torturedtale49]

9:50 onwards is Ich hatt einen Kameraden.

[@itsapittie]

Very cool! I've read that Confederate snipers using Whitworth rifles in the American Civil War required about a minute to reload but I've never seen it described. Perhaps they used something like the same process demonstrated here, since they were attempting to achieve the same thing; i.e., the greatest possible accuracy in a military-like rifle.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

They certainly would have used a similar procedure, while discounting the use of such an elaborate setup.. the ammunition came in paper cartridges for the Whitworth (and other "small bore" rifles if the era).

[@kylestrait8913]

Great video. I'm curious, is this the Parker-Hale/Navy Arms/Pedersoli Repro, or is it an original P-H?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

It’s a Birmingham made PH.

[@tim5cad203]

My great great great great grandpappy had one of them there rifles at the start of the American Civil war. He only fired two shots. By the time he got to firing the second shot the war was already over. And if that ain't the truth, well then it auta be. He actualy fought for the north from the 9th Maine regiment. It was them southern boys that had that rifle.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

A Henry rifled small bore rifle?... That must surely have been a rare instance.

[@leechapman7848]

Smashing Box Ol Boy, Said in my best Toff British Colonel voice.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Cheers!

[@jjohnston94]

Do you have two separate sets of chains on the sides of the box? One to hold the rifle butt shelf and one to maintain the angle between the two main vertical sections? Would you recommend the same procedures for all muzzleloaders, or are these a unique requirement of the PH?

[@693514V]

Question, if I may ask...why do you swab the bore after placing the powder charge ? I understand the reason behind swabbing the bore between shots, but why not wipe the bore clean before loading ? Is this just a habit you have adopted, or is it to protect the flash hole from any kind of fowling ? Will you be doing any more video's on this rifle, shooting results, load workup, etc ?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

There are two conventions when shooting such rifles... swab before powder and swab after.... by swaying before, you can inadvertently clog the nipple and therefore, for serious shooting, must cap off before loading. By swaying after the powder, this is not an issue. I have always intended to make another video on this rifle, yes.... just need to get around to it.

[@693514V]

@@britishmuzzleloaders Thank you ! That makes sense, and also saves on caps.

[@MrDavidTiller]

Planning on buying a Pedersoli Whitworth in the near future. Can you tell me why you decided to purchase the Volunteer rifle with the Henry Rifling instead of the Hexagonal bored Whitworth? Trying to make up my mind which I would rather own and trying to figure out the pluses and minuses to each of them. Thanks!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Because it was available, in all honesty. However, the "Volunteer" (read the Henry rifling) tends to be a bit easier to get to shoot well as compared with the Whitworth as I am told. Whit worth is "small bore 1.0" whereas the other small bore rifling systems were somewhat improvements (Kerr, Henry, Metford, Rigby, etc)

[@randallsmith5794]

Rob, Do you have plans for the field box? I would like to build one for display.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

I do not.. Just made it off the plans on a napkin. When I get around to the second video on their rifle I'll include some basic measurements.

[@randallsmith5794]

Thank you, that would be very helpful.

[@lawrencestanley8989]

I've just got mine and had it out shooting last weekend. I was using a lube mixture of 50/50 beeswax and olive oil, and I found that in the cold, the beeswax filled up the rifling grooves that are only .0035 deep, making it impossible to hit my 16 inch bull at 100 yards. The beeswax was near impossible to remove in the field. What lubrication method are you using in the cold? It looks like it may be Vaseline? Mink oil?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Mmmm,... I don't think that it was the mixture that was the problem... bullet size is very crucial with these rifles... I lube mine with that kind of mixture and it will put 10 rounds in 10 inches at 300yds. More grease in the mixture in the winter and more beeswax in the summer....

[@lawrencestanley8989]

@@britishmuzzleloaders I sized my bullets to .449. If I sized them to .450, I could not get them down the barrel, even when it was clean. Interesting... Well, back to trying more things I guess. Thanks!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

@@lawrencestanley8989 are you lubing, then sizing?.... What are you casting the bullets out of?

[@haroldgodwinson832]

Interesting. I used to shoot one of these about 30 years ago so it brings back fond memories. Two aspects of your loading procedure surprised me somewhat. 1) removing fouling 'after' loading the charge (I'd be most interested to know why you adopted that method) and 2) using 'relatively' loose projectiles. This video is quite old now so I was just wondering if those processes have changed over time. In my experience projectiles work best when fitted as tightly as possible to the bore without resulting in deformation. Grease groove projectiles work well but again, in my experience, paper patched projectiles produce the finest accuracy. Have you tried such projectiles before or since in the rifle and what sort of accuracy are you getting from it; assuming you still have it? Regards from the Hermit Kingdom of NZ.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

The loading drills are still practiced as such. As mentioned, there are of course variations. Cleaning before loading often entails capping off before loading as well. By cleaning to the wad, this is not required. It very much is a case of to each their own.

[@karlhoss6840]

Please tell me that neat wooden case/ stand is available as a repro

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

I made it, so no, it isn't... sorry.

[@TheMwarrior50]

Can we see a grouping from this rifle?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

If you watch the video on the Figure of Merit, the target used for the demo is one shot at 200yds with this rifle.

[@PimpinArianto]

Nice

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Cheers.

[@wrxs1781]

I am inquiring in regards to your shooting box, was this of your own design or possibly a plan I could acquire on line. Best regards, Richard "a new Whitworth repro" owner.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Hi Richard. It's my own design. Made a box, cut it in half longways to create the doors, then mounted everything I thought I'd need inside. Then made the stand part and fixed it with some hardware from the hardware store... I don't have plans, unfortunately, I designed it on a paper towel... :-)

[@puppetmaster532]

what is the song playing towards the end of the video? i has the exact same tune as the german song "ich hatt einen kameraden"

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

It's probably the same.... Long history of British and Commonwealth Forces using/playing foreign tunes, especially German ones.

[@Gabryhunter]

As a smoothbore, can it also shoot pellets like a shotgun?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

This is not a smoothbore, my friend. It is a .45cal muzzleloading rifle.

[@Gabryhunter]

I see, thank you for the clarification (is it correct? English is not my native language)

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Gabryhunter No problem!

[@wrxs1781]

Rob, I have another question. Would the bullet from my X-ring Martini-Henry mold if sized correctly be appropriate for the volunteer rifle, also presumably you are using 2FF powder, have you ever tried a load with 3FFF powder. My last question is as follows, are the bullets cast from pure led or an alloy mix. Thanks,Richard.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Hi there. Martyn does offer a couple of moulds for the Martini, but I am going to assume that you are speaking of the grease groove version... There is no reason that they wouldn't, except for that they are a good deal bigger than .450, what they need to be for this rifle. I think that Martyn's GG bullet is somewhere around .469 and that is a lot of working for the bullet to be subjected to... I shoot 2f in the Volunteer rifle and I haven't done much work with 3f.. The pressures are inherently higher in a "small bore" rifle such as this... Not saying that you can't, but I think you'd have to do some research before trying it as to the amount... The bullets are pure lead. They really have to be in order to "bump up" properly into the rifling... Whitworth used hardened bullets in his experiments for mechanically putting bullets only... (i.e. the hexagonal ones) as they didn't need to bump up nearly as much. Indeed that was why he went with hexagonal bullets in the first place, because he needed them harder to withstand some of the increased velocities or this type of rifle... Cheers.

[@albertawoodsman7863]

Hey I am located I'm alberta too. I really like the loading set up you have, do you have plans or a diagram for it?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

I do not... Sorry. Would you like the measurements? It was a simple wooden box that I cut the face off of and turned into the doors... After that, I just fit the stand for size.... All fly by night I am afraid...

[@albertawoodsman7863]

Thank you for offering but I may do similar to you and build an "original" from scratch. I am looking for a whitworth rifle now, thanks to your video if you happened to know anyone with one for sale?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Alberta Woodsman I don't, but I am sure that Alberta will yield an example if you put some feelers out... I should think that you are looking for a repro? Originals will be extremely expensive. Cheers.

[@Polymath9000]

I have a question does the rifling wear out Quickly on this type of rifle and do you need often cleaning of the barrel for long range accuracy.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Hello, as shown in this video, the barrel is cleaned after every shot.

[@katywalker8322]

Robertson screws for the box?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Yes.

[@mtr2192]

I'm probably late for this but, may I ask why you only clean the bore after having put in the powder and the wad? Does that have any advantage in accuracy consistency over cleaning the bore first before putting in the powder and seating the wad to seal it?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

There are two ways that these rifles are loaded... wiping before firing, to the breech, or wiping after the powder (as here).... using the technique I demonstrated here, negates the need to cap off after you wipe the bore...

[@mtr2192]

I'm new to muzzleloaders so that clears things up a lot. I didn't expect to get answer at all, or at least this early. Thank you sir! Your unique contents & dedication deserve at least 1 million subs. Have a wonderful weekend!

[@dzachary9766]

Marshall Treynor, when I shoot my Whitworth, and Volunteer Rifles I drop the powder charge and run a 1/8 inch thick card down the barrel onto the powder then wipe the bore. I've found if I wipe the bore before dropping the charge and card down the barrel I have to clear the channel with a cap to be sure the powder will ignite after loading.

[@Nucl3arDude]

Wait, so when you pour powder down the whole funnel, it doesn't stick to the side of that instead of the barrel?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

No, it's dry and the powder slides down the tube with no troubles... The barrel has some moisture and fouling that, although most of it is cleaned away in the swaging process, is enough to collect some of the powder.

[@Nucl3arDude]

Ah I get it because of the separation of lubrication moisture and the funnel surfacing. If you ever find yourself in the south Island of New Zealand (or even in the North Island, I'll do my best) with the need to do some shooting. Give me a buzz and I'll make sure you get mentioned and potentially get invited to some range time to experience the close country bush, North and South, in addition to open country Otago Highlands (or Waiouru depending on how many people I suddenly find myself friends with after mentioning the fact since I'm a recent transfer to the North). If you're with the Seaforth Highlander's of Canada as a Reservist I'm pretty sure someone will say that "she'll be right" and you can do some parade and shooting near ANZAC or Armistace Day easily with 2/4 Bn (should you bring your unit kilt) with the lads and get some serious beer drinking in. Hope you're a fan of saving the queen should she be drowning, because in that case, you got some serious saving to do (after the shooting of course).

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

You have a great country. We were there a few years ago. Next time, more of the South Island!

[@HypocriticYT]

Happy New Year. Where did you source your brass cap holder?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

And to you! I got it from Track of the Wolf.

[@HypocriticYT]

Thanks for that. Recently I picked up 2 tins (250 per) of those percussion caps for $10, price on the lid was $5.85 ea so they're old but all the ones I've used worked. Is there a trick for getting them to stay on? This year muzzle loader deer hunt and inevitably I lost a couple caps.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Will Mathieson Maybe change your nipple? Typically, the caps wedge onto the nipple quite tightly in my experience. You could always give them a slight squeeze before seating?...

[@HypocriticYT]

I'll give them a squeeze. Nothing better than black powder and a large bore rifle. I've got 2 Sniders, a 2 band and a cavalry carbine, both bores measure +-585 using a Mitutoyo vernier, not perfect for bore measuring but I'm curious how you use .600 bullets in Sniders. My bores seem to be tighter by comparison even if a vernier measures a few thou under. Your tips are great for accuracy, must try them as accuracy does renew interest.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Will Mathieson Your bores are .585? That is overly large for an Ordnance Snider as the bore is .577 +/- . Are you meaning the groove depth? Are you measuring at the muzzle?