Whitworth

[nakedarmy]

I'm considering purchasing a Whitworth rifle from Dixie and want to know your opinions on hunting deer with it. It's a hexogonal shaped, .45 caliber. Thanks

 

[montcalm]

A Whitworth rifle would make a fine deer gun.They are very accurate long range rifles;were used by snipers during the Civil War.Bullets may be a little hard to find but you can get a mold and make your own.Using black powder they will out shoot most if not all modern inlines.

 

[bigbang1]

The Whitworth would be a great long range gun! The reason the were never widely used by the military was the very slow rate of fire due to the fact that they are difficult to load after the first shot. Great for snipers though. The Whitworth is on my wish list of ML guns, maybe someday i will find a used one. :yakyak:

 

[Gary]

As fine as a reputation as the Whitworths enjoy, it's much harder to develop an accurate load for them than a minie gun. Not only do you have to find a bullet mold, but also the right powder charge (and perhaps a lubricated wad). Some folks do paper patching on them and so it becomes a real labor of love. Member David Minshall who runs the Long Range Rifle Website can tell you more about it.

Besides, even if you could shoot Bambi (yum yum) at long range, remember, most deer are harvested at closer range. Last, if you ever have to reload, you can't do it quickly with a Whitworth (unlike the minie gun).