Miroku Zouave load development?

[John Wells 3rd US]

Well, this is a coincidence! A teammate new to musket competition just bought a new, unfired DGW/Miroku Zouave, made back in the early '80's. We'll be working up a skirmish load in short order. I have molds for old style and new style Minie's in a couple diameters, as well as a Hodgdon/RCBS style.

I know there are a number of these on the line and that they have a decent reputation. I also know they need an individual SAC approval, which we will get ASAP.

Anyone have any tips on which bullet design they seem to prefer? If so, a head start on starting powder charge would be much appreciated also. I wouldn't mind saving on some powder and lead during experiments. ;)

[Rebel Dave]

hello
I would say a good starting load for any of those minnies would be 40-45 grns of 3FFF black powder. Use some "Pin Gages" to determine the correct bore size, and size the minnie .001-.002 thousands under bore size, and use good lube.

Rebel Dave

[Jim_Burgess_2078V]

I shot a Navy Arms (Zoli) Zouave when I first started skirmishing 49 years ago. My load was 48 grains of FFFg with an unsized Lyman 575213 old style Minie modified to use a new style base plug. The bullet weighed about 400 grains. It shot very well for me but every gun is different so your mileage will vary. Getting a bullet that is no more than .001 or .002 under your bore size is critical for accuracy.

Jim Burgess, 15th CVI

[John Wells 3rd US]

Any bullet/load suggestions specifically for the Miroku rifling?

As we all understand, it ain't the outside of the gun that puts the bullet in the X-ring... ( And, sadly, too often, NOT the one holding it either!!) https://www.n-ssa.net/vbforum/images/smilies/icon_razz.gif https://www.n-ssa.net/vbforum/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif https://www.n-ssa.net/vbforum/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif

[PapaRob]

I find the NOE Hogden bullet with the deep skirt insert sized about .001 under bore size with MCM lube and 38 grains of Swiss 3f will do fine at 50 if you are using Goex bump that up to about 42-45 grains. No matter what you do there's going to be trial and error involved but that load should get it in the right ballpark to start.