Thought I would start a new thread on this. I recently picked up a Parker Hale marked, but probably Euroarms whitworth. I am not yet set up for casting, so I bought some pre cast .451 bullets on line, that were described as "tin & lead bullets 530 grain. Med Hardness of 8/9". Today was the first time I had a chance to shoot the gun. Not too impressed, but I think there may be a number of factors to mitigate the less than stellar groups at 50 yards. Not complaining about the bullets, they may be fine, but just mentioned for info purposes. Your comments on the below are respectfully requested:
1. Since I am not shooting a hexagonal bullet, should I be going for pure lead when i start casting? I dug a few bullets out of the back stop, and they were fairly messed up, but I did not see a large hexagonal shape at the base. A little swaging, but not pronounced. I was only shooting 60 grains 2F. I am thinking pure lead and up the charge to swage the bullet to hex better? FYI, there was no keyholing.
2. I have heard stories of poor bedding practices from Euroarms. I have not taken the barrel out of this one yet, so I will see. I have an older Euroarms Springfield 1855 rifle musket that I did take the barrel out of, and there were 3 gobbs of plastic in the barrel channel with large gaps between stock and barrel between the gobbs of plastic. That one did not group well either, and I will definitely be glass bedding that. With that kind of bedding, the barrel has to be whipping a bit.
3. The Whitworth I have has the hooded from sight and a vernier tang sight. The "long range" sight had been removed. I had forgotten, from my skirmishing days, how straight the enfield style stock is. I would like to get a higher front sight so I can bring my fat cheek up higher on the stock. Do any of you know where I can locate a higher front sight that would approximate something like the original? And, do you know the dovetail size?
4. Definitely need to get a cleaning rod/jag/loading rod setup that is peculiar to this rifle. Any recommendations?
5. Do any of you find that a loading drop tube aids accuracy? I am thinking perhaps making sure all the powder gets into the reduced size patent breech may help consistency.
6. Lastly, this Whitworth came with the vernier rear tang sight, but not the original long range rear sight mounted on the barrel. The original owner took that off and could not locate it. It has two mounting holes into the barrel. Do any of you have one of those? If so, I would like to purchase. I suppose the same long range rear sight for Euroarms rifle muskets would fit? I know the Parker Hales were soldered on, as the originals. But the Euroarms are screw mounted. LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE ONE FOR SALE.
Thanks all!
1. Since I am not shooting a hexagonal bullet, should I be going for pure lead when i start casting? I dug a few bullets out of the back stop, and they were fairly messed up, but I did not see a large hexagonal shape at the base. A little swaging, but not pronounced. I was only shooting 60 grains 2F. I am thinking pure lead and up the charge to swage the bullet to hex better? FYI, there was no keyholing.
2. I have heard stories of poor bedding practices from Euroarms. I have not taken the barrel out of this one yet, so I will see. I have an older Euroarms Springfield 1855 rifle musket that I did take the barrel out of, and there were 3 gobbs of plastic in the barrel channel with large gaps between stock and barrel between the gobbs of plastic. That one did not group well either, and I will definitely be glass bedding that. With that kind of bedding, the barrel has to be whipping a bit.
3. The Whitworth I have has the hooded from sight and a vernier tang sight. The "long range" sight had been removed. I had forgotten, from my skirmishing days, how straight the enfield style stock is. I would like to get a higher front sight so I can bring my fat cheek up higher on the stock. Do any of you know where I can locate a higher front sight that would approximate something like the original? And, do you know the dovetail size?
4. Definitely need to get a cleaning rod/jag/loading rod setup that is peculiar to this rifle. Any recommendations?
5. Do any of you find that a loading drop tube aids accuracy? I am thinking perhaps making sure all the powder gets into the reduced size patent breech may help consistency.
6. Lastly, this Whitworth came with the vernier rear tang sight, but not the original long range rear sight mounted on the barrel. The original owner took that off and could not locate it. It has two mounting holes into the barrel. Do any of you have one of those? If so, I would like to purchase. I suppose the same long range rear sight for Euroarms rifle muskets would fit? I know the Parker Hales were soldered on, as the originals. But the Euroarms are screw mounted. LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE ONE FOR SALE.
Thanks all!