Author Topic: .58 cal. zuave ???  (Read 2607 times)

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Offline smokestak

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.58 cal. zuave ???
« on: December 21, 2002, 05:47:09 AM »
I have a handed down ml I'd like to get info on

 its a .58 cal. zuave style musket dont know much else about it
it has stamping on barrel

    antonio zoli gardone v.t.
    ser.# 10055
    .58 caliber
    made in italy

 any info welcomed (age,good,bad,rare,common,safe,hazzardous,value,ect.)

  I thought Zoli made shotguns
every season every chance

Offline DannoBoone

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.58 cal. zuave ???
« Reply #1 on: December 22, 2002, 01:39:00 PM »
If the barrel is free from rust/rust pits and has been well
taken care of, you have a good one.

I got one back in the '60's and she shot minnies with 80gr
Ffg just great. At the time was a teen-ager and swapped it
along with some cash for a 650cc Yamaha motorcycle. In
Nebraska, thought I would never have use of it for serious
deer-hunting and wanted the bike more. Well, then I moved
to Iowa in the mid-70's...............
We need to change our politicians
like we do dirty diapers.............
for the same reason.

Offline Loozinit

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.58 cal. zuave ???
« Reply #2 on: December 22, 2002, 04:07:10 PM »
Without seeing it or shooting it I can't tell you much about your particular rifle-musket.  But, I had one years ago and it shot about as well as any open sight rifle - that is, it shot as well as I could shoot.  I seem to remember printing groups at 100 yards within the 4" range.  There is a pretty wide range of results you can expect when trying to figure your best load, though.  The "old style" 213 Minie ball (460 grns, I think) has a rather delicate skirt and it would deform easily at 70 - 80 grns.  This caused some "keyhole" impacts that were well off the mark.  I forget which bullet worked best but I think it was a 505 grn mammoth with a thick rear skirt ring.  That one printed the best with 55-60 grns of 2F.
I imagine you could do better.  Typically, these guns are more accurate with lighter charges.  They can be extremely accurate for target work.  Historically, the Remingtons didn't get too much service and I'm not sure why - maybe Mr. Chamberlin would know.  But, reports of 600 yard shots during the Civil War included hits on any part of the enemy's anatomy. I doubt if very many of us could hit a garbage can at that range with a typical Zouave-type.  However, at under 200 yards men  would be slaughtered by the score.  If, under 100 yards, you were in someone's sights - you were dead or dying.  This is why they loaded and fired as fast as they could - whittle 'em down quick.  I hope this gives you a view as to accuracy and power.  These guns can shoot - some better than others, but they can shoot.  Sharpshooters had their pick of rifles and usually they had a Springfield or an Enfield.  The infantry was also armed with these but the sniper rifles were the pick of the litter.
Loozinit

Offline smokestak

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.58 cal. zuave ???
« Reply #3 on: December 22, 2002, 04:41:02 PM »
Thanks Guys
 This gun shoots great .the bullets i shoot i cast myself i got the mould with the gun from my dad . he said they are wadcutters they look the same as wadcutters i shoot in 44mag pistol but they have a hollw base and much bigger around flat nose that  cones down to a shoulder rim with two lube rings along skirt could be mini balls

  The name stamped in it made me curious i thought antonio zoli made high class O/U shotguns for sporting clays and such :?
every season every chance

Offline Loozinit

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.58 cal. zuave ???
« Reply #4 on: December 22, 2002, 07:21:02 PM »
Glad you got yourself a shooter, Smokestack.  You know, the "Zouave" rifle has a particularly striking bayonet that would make a beautiful wall hanger when your not shooting, eh?  I think you can get one through Dixie Gun Works.  Split wood with that thing, you can....
Loozinit