Which is more accurate?

[Steppenwolf]

Hey Fellows,

I am kicking around the idea of ordering a Parker Hale rifle, either a three band VOLUNTEER or a WHITWORTH . Which rifling do you think is more accurate, Henry or Whitworth?

 

[wade]

whitworth ?

i had and shot a p=h whitworth it shot very good but the bore was a little rough and needed to be cleaned every shot, poor care by the previous owner, it was a little to long for me, and if i did it again i would like the 2 band volunteer, i dont think theres any acuracy advantage between the two,, wade

 

[Steppenwolf]

Wade, good point about the three inches.

i had and shot a p=h whitworth it shot very good but the bore was a little rough and needed to be cleaned every shot, poor care by the previous owner, it was a little to long for me, and if i did it again i would like the 2 band volunteer, i dont think theres any acuracy advantage between the two,, wade

 

[WR1894]

Of what I read, the orginal whitworth worked best with the hexagon bullets fitted to the bore and need cleaned often but stayed at the top of the scoring charts for a long time, the reprductions use a hexagon card wad. I do not think that works as good, The henry rifling should work better with round bullets. I have a orginal Gibb's match rifle which has the medford rifling. I haven't shot it yet but should get out this summer and try it. At the end of the muzzleloading era the Gibbs and Rigby were the most common match rifle and they used the same rifling system and paper patched bullets.
John

 

[Claven2]

There's a reason most competitors use the Alexander Henry style rifling over the Whitworth. The whitworth is certainly interesting and mroe collectable, but the A-H is a better and more elegant solution to rifling a barrel IMHO.

 

[nessy357]

Dogswater in Courtney has a Whitworth, he is extremely pleased with the accuracy ,his only complaint IIRC he's not allowed to shoot against patched roundball, instead he has to compete with BPCR, and those guys ain't too happy about that Good job he doesn't bring it out too much, keeps everybody happy.
I think he said the key too accuracy with the Whiworth is getting the right mould.

 

[Steppenwolf]

Dyson sells the Whitworth mould for 165 pounds. I think the 33" Volunteer may be a better bet.

 

[nessy357]

Ouch !! how much is that about a brazillian Cdn ?

 

[Dantforth]

Best bet may be a Gibbs Rifle reproduction.....

The Whitworth....all I read indicates that the bullets are a ##### to say the least...and the moulds are almost impossible to get a good bullet out of. I have shot my friends Gibbs rifle and it does shoot! How about a four inch five shot groupat 200 yards the first time I shot it? Good luck. Dave