Antonio Zoli Zouave Rifle .58 Caliber

[Blackpowdershooter44]

Hi all,
I'd like to hear your thoughts on the Zouave rifle, I have an opportunity to buy one and I'd like some input about them. Are they accurate in your experience? Reliable?
Thanks!

 

[RON in PA]

Had one back in the early 1970s, wasn't impressed with the accuracy of minie balls so I started to shoot the Zouave with patched round balls. Much better accuracy.

 

[Billy.Tif]

I had one that I picked up in a trade with some other bp's, it was a fun rifle to shoot. Accuracy was decent at around 50yds but I never shot it beyond that, wound up selling it to a friend that does reenactments. I've got a clamp on globe front sight that will fit it if you wind up buying it.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Very cool guns. A perfect match with a Roger and Spencer revolver for a Union soldier.

 

[Hanshi]

I also had one in the early 1970s. Killed squirrels (YEP) with it and also found prb to be more accurate. Eventually let it go. It was eventually replaced with a .54 US M1841 "Mississippi" rifle. That fine, super accurate, beautifully fitted & finished instrument has taken deer for me.

 

[AlexanderA]

Zouaves are no good for reenacting, since none of them were actually issued during the Civil War. (12,500 were made and put into storage, in a sort of "consolation sweetheart deal" for Remington to make up for low prices on Remington's revolver contracts.) They were used a lot in the early days of reenacting (1960's and 70's) as they were the first reproductions available. Today, a Zouave would be considered hopelessly "farby" on a reenactment field.That said, the ones made by Antonio Zoli are considered to be the best of the lot. Use them for what they are, but don't pretend that they are "Civil War guns."

 

[DPris]

Mail-ordered mine in 1976, they delivered it to the air base PO where I was stationed in England.
Probably violated half a dozen laws & regs.
Couldn't fire it while there, but I have photos of me with it in the woods.

Good gun.
No parts for them, aside from Numrich.
Mine shot OK with Minies, but it's been a dust collector for three decades now.
Denis

 

[Blackpowdershooter44]

Thanks for the info. From what you all are saying, they tend to shoot prb's better?

 

[Texas Moon]

I'm interested too.
Just picked up a Zoli. Overall its in decent shape except for some pitting about 6-8" down the barrel.
I need to replace the nipple but I can not find one that fits correctly.
Every one I've tried so far has too long threaded section.When fully tightened the base flange is too high.
I also am looking for a ramrod. The one that came with the gun is bent and the threaded end is damaged.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Zouaves are for shooters, not reenactors. As noted above, they have no place in reenactments or the N-SSA, but they are fine for the field and the range.

 

[Erwan]

I'd like to hear your thoughts on the Zouave rifle, I have an opportunity to buy one and I'd like some input about them. Are they accurate in your experience? Reliable?

One of my friends shoots the series MLAIC with a Zouave and this friend is very far from being ridiculous with this weapon: he was first in the selection this year for the national championship ...
So I would say excellent weapon and definitely as good as my Enfield 3 Band Pattern 53 ...
Only problem like the others: the nipple is quickly worn out...

 

[.455_Hunter]

I have never heard of "farby" before. I guess I learn something new everyday...

 

[midland man]

purists been a little hard on this gun, that's sad!!

 

[eastbank]

.575213 mini ball(hollow base filled with unsalted crisco) with 60grs fff and rws caps with peep sights shoots 4" groups at 100 yards from a good rest in my zouave short rifle. eastbank.

 

[Blackpowdershooter44]

I went ahead and ordered the rifle, can't wait to get it! Going to get a Minie ball mold and some round balls to try out.

 

[PapaG]

Had a couple. Best results were with patched .575 rb, fffg powder, 20 gauge card over powder and a #11 cap. Zolis varied in bore sizes. My second one I barreled with a Numrich seven groove and with the same load won the 50 yard musket match at Friendship back around 70 or so. Wish I still had it.
Have a much earlier Hy Hunter with the xxxed out Remington label on the lock.

 

[sharps59]

Thanks for the info. From what you all are saying, they tend to shoot prb's better?

I wouldnt bet on them shooting round ball better.

 

[sharps59]

Zouaves are for shooters, not reenactors. As noted above, they have no place in reenactments or the N-SSA, but they are fine for the field and the range.

Gary who you kidding no place in the Nssa. I know a quite a few members that shoot them. and do well.

 

[sharps59]

I went ahead and ordered the rifle, can't wait to get it! Going to get a Minie ball mold and some round balls to try out.

wait to get it first before you by the mould. need to slug the bore first. then get a mould and sizer you need to be .001 to .002 under bore to shoot well and load well.

 

[eastbank]

i have shot RB,s in the .58,s and while they shot well at close range, i have found with the right mini-ball diamater(for me .575213) and close to pure lead)they will shoot much better out to 300 yards(the ranges i shoot them at). i have a peep sight on two of my .58 rifles and with mini-ball twist and shollow grooves are very accurett at the longer range i shoot at. i shoot at a 30 gallon metal drum at 300 yards from a rest and don,t miss very often. to me its just more fun to take three of my civil war made repo paper cartiges and bite the paper end off , dump the powder in fold the tail and ram the mini down and shoot. i have not been able to fire the three rounds in a minute yet. eastbank.

 

[Blackpowdershooter44]

Thanks for the info, I'll try some Minnies and see how they do before getting a mold.

 

[Curator]

.455 Hunter:
":I have never heard of "farby" before. I guess I learn something new everyday." FARBY: a word used by thread-counting ACD reenactors to express disdain at your compromise on historicaly correct details which is different than their compromise on historical correct details of which they do approve. It is a conjunction of the words "far be it from me"---(to point out your non historical correct outfit, gear, buttons, etc.etc.and your general unsuitability to join our august ranks)

 

[Blackpowdershooter44]

The Zouave came in today, here's a picture of it http://s1152.photobucket.com/user/bps44/media/Zoauve_zps3c4vsedg.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

I really like it, but I did notice that the barrel bands are slightly loose, especially the one near the muzzle. If I push the spring down that keeps it from moving I can pretty much just slide it off the barrel. How can I fix this? Is it safe to shoot in this condition?

 

[sharps59]

The Zouave came in today, here's a picture of it http://s1152.photobucket.com/user/bps44/media/Zoauve_zps3c4vsedg.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

I really like it, but I did notice that the barrel bands are slightly loose, especially the one near the muzzle. If I push the spring down that keeps it from moving I can pretty much just slide it off the barrel. How can I fix this? Is it safe to shoot in this condition?

Nothing to weary about. as long as they don't slide over the spring w/o pressing it down. You don't what to lose them while carrying it. I had one that keep sliding over the spring. re bent the spring and shimmed under it w a tooth pick. problem solverd.

 

[Blackpowdershooter44]

Nothing to weary about. as long as they don't slide over the spring w/o pressing it down. You don't what to lose them while carrying it. I had one that keep sliding over the spring. re bent the spring and shimmed under it w a tooth pick. problem solverd.

That's good to hear, I was starting to get worried.