parker hale whitworth rifle

[charliek]

I'm interested in a rifle to use for long range target work and deer hunting at 150 yards or so. Does anyone have experience with the Whitworth rifle? Is the Parker Hale volunteer rifle as accurate as the Whitworth is supposed to be?
Thanks,
Charlie

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

I've fired a couple of different English built Parker Hale
Whitworths in years past and was very impressed with the accuracy and quality of the rifles. One of these was taken to Africa a while back and used to good effect on large game there. I don't know what the current crop of Italian rifles is like. I do know that a decent used English version will set you back a substantial amount. I believe that they are worth it.

 

[gamick]

I own a volunteer and shoot it often out to 500 yards .If i do my part it will group about 1 1/2" at a hundred. I've also shot the Whitworth rifles and they shoot just as well maybe better, but for the extra $$ they should. If you are serious about deer hunting with either rifle they are not at all flat shooters. The more accurate slugs for both rifles will weight over 500 grs. More than enough for the largest deer in the USA. But with that large a slug range estimation is critical for a well placed shot. Just to give you an idea of the of how much drop there can be ,at 500 yds. you are aming about 26 ft. above the point of impact. :results:

 

[Nightwind]

Charles, I was very serious about getting one of those myself about four years ago. When I heard how the quality went down after Navy Arms (?) bought them out, I dropped it. If ever an opportunity for one of those made by the Parker Hale from England arises, I will have to shell out some real cash! There's alot avid collectors out there just waiting to snatch 'em up!

 

[keethb]

Sir,

I am not currently into Whitworth muskets. However, I own a couple of first generation Parker Hale (English built) Enfield replicas. Knowing what I have learned (the hard way) about the difference between the English vs Italian Parker Hale 1853 Enfield replicas, I would readily acquire an English Parker Hale Whitworth rifled musket. I would be far more hesitant to pay the price for the Italian Whitworth. Just my two cents worth, but in my experience, none of the Italian Parker Hale Enfields come close to the English versions for overall quality and accuracy.

Best Regards,

Sky-Dogg

 

[Husky]

Charles, the early Parker Hale Whitworths are certainly worth the extra money. The fit and finish on my 1st year production Whitworth is outstanding. As far as accuracy goes my initial findings are that this rifle has far more capability than I do. With the right load/wad/bullet combo they are capable of outstanding accuracy at ranges over 100yds. The groups are OK at 100yds but it is thought that the long 520+ grain bullets don't stabilize until the 200 yd mark. I read in some of the Whitworth literature that at the military trials in England in the 1800's that a Whitworth from a machine rest put 4 shots through the same hole at 450 yds. The stock sights are not very useable at long ranges but some of the shooters on the LRML site are fitting Davidson style scope mounts and telescopic sights on their Whitworths. I have a set of the scope mounts but have not had the chance to mount them yet. If you really get adventurous take a look at the LRML website. Those guys are shooting ranges up to and over 1000yds.

 

[ResearchPress]

I've never really fired a Whitworth much however that doesn't need to stop observations!

If you are looking for a hunting arm then probably the Whitworth of Volunteer will give you the accuracy you need once you have developed loads. If you want something for target shooting then I would favour the Volunteer. They just seem easier to feed!

Good Whitworth hex bullet moulds are expensive, although you don't necessarily need one. By far the most shooting in the 19th century was done with cylindrical bullets. It was the specialist long range (800 yards+) marksmen that bought the hex bullets.

Later rifling systems by Metford and Rigby supplanted the Whitworth for long range accuracy.

At a recent 600 yard match we had two events, one of which only Whitworth hex bored rifles could be used. Top scores with the Whitworth were well down on those being achieved by users of other muzzle loaders.

David

 

[charliek]

David and others,
Many thanks for your comments on the Whitworth and the Volunteer rifles, both original and reproductions. From opinions stated various places it seems worth pointing out that at least two different companies are selling these at substantially different prices. This may account for some of the more critical comments I have seen concerning quality .

But David, as someone with a keen professional interest in technological history, let me thank you specifilly for www.researchpress.co.uk. What a useful resource.
Charlie

 

[Rat]

I would not suggest shooting deer at 150 unless the rifle has a point blank range to that distance. Why not hone hunting skills, get closer, and pass on the long shots? Good camo, move as slow as possible, and then slow down, use scent-blockers and scents, grunt calls, get off the ATV, etc.

:sorry: JUST KIDDING about the ATV!!

But generally speaking, your rifle's maximum range on deer should be the same as your point blank range, accuracy permitting.

I suppose if you had the ladder sights dialed in for every ten yards past your point-blank range, and used a laser rangefinder, that might be ok.

Just a thought.

:imo:

Rat

 

[cytorg]

Hello to everyone, newbie/lurker here.
I've been interested in the Whitworth model myself and have been following info from the board here.
My question is; if the Italian models are inferior, than where can you find a good reproduction of this rifle?
Does anyone have any links for me to look at?
Thanks for any info, I've already learned quite a bit from you gents.

 

[Rat]

Just because the Italian guns are inferior to the older Parker Hales, does not mean they are not good guns.

Before I got my ArmiSport 1861 I heard simular remarks about their quality...but I am totally happy with mine.

Someone more discerning (sp?) might not be and perhaps would only be happy with the Colt version...I don't know.

Anyhow, I bet a Whitworth made by either Uberti or Euroarms would be more than worth considering, and probably very good rifles.

Rat

 

[ResearchPress]

If you're looking for a Whitworth repro then you have a choice of Euroarms or tracking down a 2nd hand Parker-Hale. As has already been pointed out, because 'the word' is that others are inferior to P-H, does not necessarily mean that they are poor quality. I have corresponded with owners of Euroarms Volunteer rifles and they have been quite happy with them.

Failing these off-the-shelf models, its get something custom built or buy an original.

David