New (to me) Armi Jager Zouave

[Eterry]

I recently saw a very clean, deeply blued Zouave online and couldn't pass it up. It is I think an early modeI, sn 30xx, an although it has been shot, it is in very good condition and great bore, 3 groove. The lock is color cased with no markings.

What can you tell me about the Armi Jager, as a shooter, not reenactor. I have a Lee Minnie and REAL molds, i use the Minnie in my musketoon. What's the twist of my Zouave, who uses one, and what's your favorite load?
The rear sight is way wider than I'd like, kinda like sighting thru a huge V. I guess I'll need to fill the sight in with epoxy then recut the notch.
I want to plink and hunt with it, hoping for some good groups.
Thanks everyone,
Eterry

[Greg Ogdan 110th OVI]

First, gauge the bore and size the Minnies to .001 under bore. You may be able to use .580 bullets right out of the mould. Then try a powder charge of 45g of FFg 0r FFFg Black powder. If you can, modify the front sight to a square post, then the rear to a U just pistol sights. You should be able to get less than 2" off the bench at 50 yards. Plenty good enough for deer hunting.

Greg

[Eterry]

Thanks for the info Greg, it took me a while and lots of trial and error, mostly error, but I finally got my P61 Enfield to group under 3moa using a 500 gr Lee minie. I took a doe with it at about 40 yards, she fell at the shot. I hunt mostly heavy woods and long shots aren't a possibility. I would like to try a lighter minie than the ones I use; a 500 gr Lee and a 520 RCBS. I have thought of buying a wadcutter mold and try them, just don't wanna buy something that doesn't work.

ET

PS, this looks like a one piece barrel, no sign of weld, solder, seam or such. I understand that's a good thing!!

[Greg Ogdan 110th OVI]

I would not use the 315 wadcutter for hunting, may be too light.The lightest I would go is the RCBS Hodgdon at about 415 gr. This bullet needs to be sized very close to bore and, for hunting, I would suggest not less that 50 gr of FFg. should be good as far as you can wisely shoot iron sights.

[Bruce Cobb 1723V]

I think you will be surprised at how well a patched .570 round ball will do with 45 / 50 ffg for hunting. We can't patch in N-ssa competition but it is an accurate deer load. Accurate being the no. 1 thing.