Author Topic: 1863 Zouave (Read 944 times)

Thomas Krupinski · « **on:** October 30, 2003, 08:16:00 AM »

Just picked up on trade a 30 year old Navy Arms replica of a .58 caliber 1863 Zouave rifle.

Anyone have any experience with them. I am looking for some load data and if you happen to know the twist rate. I'll check it later, but just curious if it will be suitable slow for roundball. I have some miniballs cast from a Lee mould and will be ordering one of those soon, and some some T/C maxihunters. Should have picked up a Maxihunter mould in 58 last year when I ran across one.

Also would like to find a source for a bayonet for it.

Thanks,

shooter575 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 30, 2003, 09:08:31 AM »

First thing is to make sure that yer minne is .001-.002 under bore size for best accuracy.2nd make sure your minnes are made of soft lead.Using what ever lube you want fill the grease grouves,the base or both..
With that being done,Try 40-50 gr of ff or 35-45gr of fff. This should get a group about 10-14 inches high at 50. You will need to add .100 to front sight to print on at 50yd.
For 50 yd work at 50 to 100 yd the Lee target[looks like a ash can] is hard to beet. It comes in only .575 dia now. as it was in .578 also at one time
This all depends on what your bore size is. I have seen Zouaves bores run from .571 to .582.

Have fun
Jim

Thomas Krupinski · « **Reply #2 on:** October 30, 2003, 09:54:23 AM »

Thank you Jim,

I checked some of the Lee Original Mini's that came with the deal and they easily pass down the muzzle. I haven't used any of that style before. So you actually fill the hollow cavity of the base with lube.

I cast T/C Maxi's, Maxihunters, Lee REALS and RB for use in my Hawkens and Renegades, but this is my first experience with a hollow cavity Mini. I have one of the Lee shotgun slug moulds and that looks to operate the same, but with that drive key dividing the hollow cavity base.

Will probably start off with the 50 grains of Elephant brand FFg and see what happens. The fellow I got it from was using Pyrodex. I have been using T/C Bore Butter for my lube with the other rifles, but filling up those hollow bases would sure use it up quickly. Think I may just use some Crisco and clean more often.

The information I have found shows a 1:48 as standard for Zouave rifles. Haven't checked this one yet.

If your Zouave's are replica's, what brands are they?

Winter Hawk · « **Reply #3 on:** October 30, 2003, 03:05:20 PM »

Seems to me the rate of twist is 1 in 56". Quite a find you have. A friend of mine has the Navy Arms Buffalo Hunter, not made any more. It was a cut down Zouave, or looked like it. I know he still has it, but I'm not sure he does very much shooting any more. I'll see if I can find what he loads, if he still does.

-Kees-

Crunch · « **Reply #4 on:** October 31, 2003, 01:12:37 AM »

I used to sometimes shoot a .562 RB, 19 thou. canvass, with 60 gr. FFF,in mine. Very accurrate, of course a totally different point of impact than with the conicals. It's a great gun. Have fun!

Crunch