The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - HELP!!! new Zouave musket owner needs advice

prestigegunleather · August 5, 2009, 10:06 AM

to ALL,

i bought a 1963-vintage, but UNFIRED, reproduction, 1863 Remington Zouave "2-band" musket a couple of weeks ago at an estate sale, which was made by RANSON-ITALIA for "The American Civil War Centennial".
(the company has been out of business since 1980.)

the musket looks to be "QUALITY" & "has spent its entire life" over the fireplace mantle, according to "the deceased's" nephew.

now my problem: i bought some "pre-lubricated" hollowpoint .58 caliber "hunting minie balls" by Hornaday on Monday & found that they are seemingly TOO TIGHT for the bore on the little Zouave.
(i could load them with a ball-starter, but i think minies are supposed to "just slide down the bore", aren't they???)

does anyone KNOW of the RANSON-ITALIA brand of muskets & KNOW what the PROPER minie ball size IS???

THANKS!

yours, PrestigeGunleather

August 5, 2009, 10:06 AM	#1
prestigegunleather Member Join Date: July 28, 2009 Posts: 38	HELP!!! new Zouave musket owner needs advice to ALL, i bought a 1963-vintage, but UNFIRED, reproduction, 1863 Remington Zouave "2-band" musket a couple of weeks ago at an estate sale, which was made by RANSON-ITALIA for "The American Civil War Centennial". (the company has been out of business since 1980.) the musket looks to be "QUALITY" & "has spent its entire life" over the fireplace mantle, according to "the deceased's" nephew. now my problem: i bought some "pre-lubricated" hollowpoint .58 caliber "hunting minie balls" by Hornaday on Monday & found that they are seemingly TOO TIGHT for the bore on the little Zouave. (i could load them with a ball-starter, but i think minies are supposed to "just slide down the bore", aren't they???) does anyone KNOW of the RANSON-ITALIA brand of muskets & KNOW what the PROPER minie ball size IS??? THANKS! yours, PrestigeGunleather