Preparation of Bullets and Wads
Careful preparation of bullets will pay off in accuracy. Cast bullets from pure
lead and for best results, weigh them, discarding those which are light,
indicating a large air cavity.
Lubricate by dipping to the top of the cannelures in a mixture of 75% tallow
25% beeswax and leaving to set. The mixture should be melted over a low
heat in a flat dish. The mix may have to be adjusted according to ambient
temperature. On a hot day more beeswax will be needed to prevent the
lubricant melting prematurely.
After lubricating, size the bullets by passing them through the sizing die
provided. Press the bullet through, base first, with the top punch supplied
and take care not to deform the base in any way. The bullet will now be a
perfect fit in the bore, tight and lubricated in the cannelures.
To prepare the over-powder wads, soak an absorbent card of about 1/16"
thickness (such as a beer mat) in the hot bullet lubricant. When the lubricant
is set, cut wads with the hexagonal punch provided.

Loading and Firing
(a) Fire two or three caps only to ensure the nipple channel is clear.
N.B. Never snap the hammer without either a percussion cap or snap
cap to protect the nipple.
(b) Load a carefully measured charge of powder, preferably weighed exactly.
We recommend a charge of between 60 and 90 grains of the largest grain
rifle powder available such as Fg. Fine grain powders are not
recommended for best results.
Note: Your P-H Whitworth rifle has a patent breech, an internal powder chamber.
of smaller diameter than the bore which speeds up the rate of burn
of the powder, increases breech pressure and bullet velocity. The rifle
will function best if the patent breech is clean and free from fouling,
so when carrying out the following loading procedure, take care not
to force the mop into the powder chamber, as this will cause the
powder to become damp and will push the fouling into the breech.
Cont'd....

Warning:
If you forget to load a powder charge or if fouling has built up in the barrel
preventing you from seating the bullet against the powder charge Do Not
Attempt To Fire The Rifle. Firing a rifle with the bullet stuck part
way down the bore can seriously damage the barrel. Check the position of
the bullet in the barrel with the ramrod. If you have no combination tool for
extracting stuck bullets, and the bullet has been rammed down until it is
seated at the breech, remove the nipple with a nipple wrench and pour a
little fine grain black powder into the nipple channel. Replace the nipple
tightly, press on a percussion cap and fire, aiming at a safe backstop.
If the bullet remains in the barrel, unscrew the nipple once again, measure
a full charge of powder and trickle as much as possible of it into the breech
through the nipple channel. Ram the bullet down until it is seated firmly on
the powder, replace nipple, place a cap on the nipple and fire in the normal
way.


Important: If for any reason you are unable to seat the bullet onto the
powder do not under any circumstances attempt to fire the rifle. Take it to
a gunsmith who will be able to remove the breech plug and drive out the
stuck bullet without damage to you or your rifle.


Cleaning Instructions
Depending upon weather conditions, type of lubricant used and other
factors, fouling may build up in the barrel until it becomes difficult
to seat the bullet on the powder charge. It is advisable therefore, from
time to time, to clean the barrel with a phosphor bronze brush followed
by the use of a wool mop. These implements are fitted on to the end of
the ramrod. After cleaning and before firing the next series, fire a cap or
two before loading more powder. Immediately after having finished
shooting it is necessary to clean the weapon thoroughly as Black
Powder residues are corrosive and will ruin the weapon if not removed
quickly.
Cont'd......

Broadarrow many thanks for all this very interesting information. I will be writing out a shopping list. I wonder, is there a Parker Hale photograph of all the equipment once apparently supplied with the Parker Hale Whitworth?

What gcrank1 says is exactly what I would do. That is the route I went with my P Gibbs. I found that a bullet sized .0005 under bore dia was optimum. If you order a Lee push thru die, send them samples of the bullet you plan to use.