Can anyone interpret this?

[Gooddaytoya!]

View attachment 101245

 

[Gooddaytoya!]

View attachment 101245

Sorry about the double post. A few months ago I reported that I made a slug and it showed the bore to be octagonal. It's actually hexagonal like the whitworth rifle of the civil war era. I wonder if the hexagonal bore needs a hexagonal round to function properly.

 

[Philip Lebow]

Sir, No the bullet can be cylindrical. Use something with lots of grease grooves, known as the Loverin style.
There is a bullet mold made for the Whitworth rifle that is cylindrical. It's .45 caliber and shoots well. I believe Dixie gun works carries it in their catalog. For another size bore, it is custom time.

 

[Kno-ie]

Gooddaytoya,
I shoot a cylinder paper patched bullet in my Whitworth and have never tried a hexagonal bullet. Here is a target shot a week ago at 100yds. The three marked in red were hang fires. The last four are climbing out of the red center.

 

[Britsmoothy]

Huh, I always thought the Whitworth required a hex bullet and the 451 volunteer rifle a round bullet!

 

[ohio ramrod]

While a round bullet properly patched will work, most prefer the actual hex slug. The molds for true hex are not cheap.

 

[Gooddaytoya!]

While a round bullet properly patched will work, most prefer the actual hex slug. The molds for true hex are not cheap.

I can only imagine. I won't even find out the prices.

 

[ResearchPress]

Huh, I always thought the Whitworth required a hex bullet and the 451 volunteer rifle a round bullet!

The Whitworth can shoot cylindrical or mechanically fitting hexagonal bullets. 19thC Whitworth loading instructions noted “The cylindrical form of projectile is the best for general use. It is 530 grains in weight and is wrapped with paper.” The soft lead bullet had a base cavity to aid expansion to the hexagonal bore on firing. Harder bullets in hexagonal form could be fired.

David

 

[Britsmoothy]

The Whitworth can shoot cylindrical or mechanically fitting hexagonal bullets. 19thC Whitworth loading instructions noted “The cylindrical form of projectile is the best for general use. It is 530 grains in weight and is wrapped with paper.” The soft lead bullet had a base cavity to aid expansion to the hexagonal bore on firing. Harder bullets in hexagonal form could be fired.

David

Thank you. I've learnt something new I did not know.

 

[Davey Boy]

I want to try the cylindrical with the base cavity in heptagon bore.

 

[Britsmoothy]

Makes sense now, I am slow often.
I take it the hex bullet won't work in the cylindrical barrel though?

 

[Philip Lebow]

I had the hex bore Whitworth replica. With the hex bullets, it tended to lead badly, unless oiled paper was wrapped around the bullet. The cylindrical bullet was easier, and shot just as well.