Need some info on a 58

[Chuck Perry]

I inherited a 58 cal BP percussion rifle a few years back. Just dug it out this weekend and have decided I'd like to try it out. The action plate is marked Navy Arms, the barrel Antonio Zoli. From what I can tell it is a remake of a Zouave? I have seen a couple on the web, although mine has a much shorter carbine length bbl than the others I have seen so far.
The nipple looks pretty rough. I think I'd like to change it out before firing the rifle. Are nipples standard, or do I have to hunt around for a particular one? Can I use a regular wrench to remove it, or do I need a specific tool? Finally, where can I find load info for this? I've checked Midway for bullets and the selection seems pretty slim. Round ball and a few TC offerings in the 500g+ range. I'll see what I can find locally to experiment with. What types of BP charges should I run in this rifle?
I do have a little experience with BP, a TC Encore 50. I've really been enjoying shooting the TC which is why I want to try out this 58. I've just been shooting sabot loads out of the TC, so any tips y'all can impart about patch and ball shooting will be appreciated too.

 

[Phillip Allen]

The .58 Zouave dosen't require heavy loads...I don't remember for sure but FFg charge of between 40g and 60g is prolly the proper range with MINI BALLS. Heaver charges with the standard Mini will distort the skirt and accuracy falls off. Nipple wrenches are available but a small wrench will work just fine (do not over tighten). If the nipple is pitted much or peened out you will want to replace it and I always remove the nipple when cleaning and scour the area with an old tooth brush, pumping lots of hot, soapy water through the barrel followed by scalding water to heat and help dry it.

Have fun, wear eye and ear protection and don't shoot anything that don't need shootin

 

[Loyalist Dave]

If the nipple is rusty, treat it with Liquid Wrench, and while regular pliers or a small wrench will get it off, be careful or you may round out the flats on the nipple. Some of the nipples on the Italian stuff are/were metric threads, but the after market parts do allow for that. I believe Uncle Mike's markets a metric musket nipple.

Hate to disagree, but hot water & soap followed by a hot rinse has been tested several times, and has been shown to do nothing more than accelerate rust. You can actually see it form on the barrel as it dries. Cold water was shown to be just as effective. If you have a water residue problem, use 90% (or greater) rubbing alcohol to rinse, then dry. It will displace the moisture, and evaporate. Follow with a good rust preventative.

LD

 

[Chuck Perry]

So how do I determine what nipple to purchase? So far as cleaning goes, I bought a bunch of BP cleaner on clearance at Walmart. Rusty Duck? Seems to work fine on my Encore with 777.

 

[arcticap]

If you examine this cross referencing nipple chart from Thunder Ridge Muzzle Loading, there are 2 nipple part numbers listed for the Navy Arms 1863 Zoave Rifle.
It lists the Thunder Ridge nipple as part #5031M which is their 5/16 X 24 musket cap nipple.
And also the Treso nipple #11-50-50 with the same dimensions to fit most U.S. & Italian Zoaves.

http://thunder-ridge-muzzleloading.com/nip_x_ref.htm

 

[Phillip Allen]

The light rust you see never forms on my rifles/revolvers...don't know why except that I finish the operation, usually oiling as the barrel gets cool enough to easily handle. My rifle still stackes em oneon the top of another after over 30 years (GRRW choked bbl)

 

[mec]

Dixie gunworks sells minie bullets for the 58 and the 577 enfields. They are slightly different in diameter but work equally well in the zoave and the various springfield musket types. They also sell musket cap:
www.dixiegun.com

Sixty grains of Goex ffg got 1034 fps from the one I shot. Fairly mild recoil but it does rise.