Zoli Zouave: Musket caps or number 11 (and what brand?)

[Snowdog]

I just received my Zoli Zouave today and noticed the nipple installed is obviously much larger than what my Hawkens used and believe it uses musket caps. In the patch box is a No. 11 nipple and nipple wrench.

Should I use musket caps or No. 11 caps? I currently have a couple hundred CCI no. 11 caps but certainly don't mind purchasing musket caps if this is what's recommended, especially since I plan on also purchasing Goex FFG for it as well.

If musket caps are recommended for this rifle, is there a brand I should hunt for? I ask as I read the reviews for CCI musket caps on Dixie Gun Works and noticed several saying these caps are brittle and will shatter occasionally, causing injury to the shooter and those nearby. These reviews also go on to say German RWS are "safer".

Is this a load of bunk or should I avoid the marginally cheaper CCI caps? I've had excellent luck from CCI number 11 caps from both my Hawkens and Remingon 1858 (Pietta) but have zero experience with musket caps.

BTW, if it makes a difference, I have both .570 Hornady round ball (with .010 Wonderlube patches) and 513 grain pure lead .577 minnie ball from a Lyman mold #575213. I plan on keeping the charge down to 70gr of FFG Goex or less if I find it works from my Zouave.

Thanks in advance for any advice as I still consider myself a novice when it comes to BP rifles/muskets!

 

[TomADC]

Mine uses muskat caps either RWS 1081's never a problem haven't tried #11's.

 

[junkman_01]

Rifle-muskets use musket caps!

 

[surbat6]

If fragments of caps are a concern, you might try a cap shield. Dixie Gun Works used to offer one, not sure if it's still available. You remove the nipple, put the shield over the hole and re-install the nipple. The nipple holds the cup-like shield in place. Blast and bits of cap are directed upward. A bonus to protecting your eyes is that the stock is protected from the cap's blast as well. Most likely you could make a cap shield from heavy sheet brass if you can't find one on the store shelf.
As for brands of caps, I just get about any that fit my guns. If I were a formal target shooter, I might be more picky, but I'm happy if the gun goes bang and the ball hits in the vicinity of the target.

 

[[email protected]]

I will use nothing but No. 11's. I use CCI I have shot about 500 musket
caps. No. 11's for me.

 

[Mike OTDP]

Musket caps. No. 11s won't fit on that nipple.

I personally prefer RWS, but YMMV. You ought to be shooting with glasses, though. That's a general safety precaution.

 

[mykeal]

Musket caps. No. 11s won't fit on that nipple.

My Zoli Zouave has a musket nipple installed on the bolster and a No. 11 nipple screwed into a fitting in the patch box. I suspect that's the same configuration the OP spoke about in his initial post:

I just received my Zoli Zouave today and noticed the nipple installed is obviously much larger than what my Hawkens used and believe it uses musket caps. In the patch box is a No. 11 nipple and nipple wrench.

I have the option of using either nipple, so No. 11's can be used. I use CCI musket caps and the musket nipple. I've only fired about 50 rounds but none of the caps have 'shattered'; all were intact after firing.

 

[Hellgate]

I have 4 different 58cal rifles. If they didn't have musket nipples when I got them they did right afterwards. I hunt with them and want them to go off when I pull the trigger.

 

[[email protected]]

This is a standard CCI No. 11 cap. If your gun won't fire using No. 11 caps
you got a problem!

 

[eastbank]

i have a early navy arms import bufflo hunter and zouave rifles,being left handed i get burnt on my right forearm when wearing a short sleeve shirt, when i put the number 11 cone in it goes away. i never had a ignition problem with either cap. and the 11,s are creaper and easier to buy. 60grs 3fff and a 575213 hollow base(filled with crisco) base miniball. eastbank.