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218bee
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Need 58 cal Minie balls, lube, etc
Jan 31st, 2025 at 8:00pm
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Trying percussion muzzle loading and have a 58 cal Zouave that I’m accumulating components for.  Anyone have any 58 cal Minie balls, lube, cleaning rod, bullet puller, etc.  you get the idea.  For now, maybe 20 balls will work. PM with what you have. Thanks
  
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westerner
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Re: Need 58 cal Minie balls, lube, etc
Reply #1 - Jan 31st, 2025 at 10:48pm
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That was easy. 

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A blind squirrel runs into a tree every once in a while.
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craigster
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Re: Need 58 cal Minie balls, lube, etc
Reply #2 - Jan 31st, 2025 at 10:51pm
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Track of the Wolf .
  
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Green_Frog
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Re: Need 58 cal Minie balls, lube, etc
Reply #3 - Feb 1st, 2025 at 2:41pm
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That bullet is a staple of the Musket Class in the North-South Skirmish Association.  You might try checking in on the N-SSA website for help.  Also, S&S Arms in New York is a brig supplier of stuff for skirmishers, along with several other commercial vendors.
I personally shoot the lighter weight “Hodgdon style” bullet in my Zouave or I’d give you some of mine.
Froggie
  
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Bulseyetom
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Re: Need 58 cal Minie balls, lube, etc
Reply #4 - Feb 1st, 2025 at 3:39pm
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Don't be afraid to shoot round balls in the Zouave.  The last buck I killed with a muzzleloader was with a round ball and it dropped him like a bolt of lightning. I find round balls are easier to cast then the Minie
  
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George Babits
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Re: Need 58 cal Minie balls, lube, etc
Reply #5 - Feb 1st, 2025 at 3:43pm
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I shoot round balls in my Parker Hale Enfield too.   They shoot great, but usually I go with the minie as it is more traditional.

George
  
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toppkatt
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Re: Need 58 cal Minie balls, lube, etc
Reply #6 - Feb 1st, 2025 at 4:20pm
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I use the Wilkinson bullet (compression vs expansion). Get good results in the N-SSA competitions. May not be good for 'precision shooting'.

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John in PA
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Re: Need 58 cal Minie balls, lube, etc
Reply #7 - Feb 3rd, 2025 at 2:33pm
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Before you spend money on bullets or mold, measure your bore precisely. Whichever Minie design you choose, you want to be no more than .001" under bore diameter.  Next determining factor is twist rate. Of the various designs in use in the N-SSA, most shooters sue some variation of either the 460 grain Minie (slower twist) or the 505 grain Minie. (faster twist) 
Good place to start. for accuracy, experiment with 45-55 grains 3F, Swiss or Old Eynesford  is worth the extra money if you can find it. Tons of info on the N-SSA.org site
  

John Wells
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218bee
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Re: Need 58 cal Minie balls, lube, etc
Reply #8 - Feb 3rd, 2025 at 2:47pm
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Thanks guys, for all the intel...   Just curious, I’m reading 3F is cleaner than 2F?  What’s the main difference and which in your opinion would work better for my old girl.
  
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4570mike
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Re: Need 58 cal Minie balls, lube, etc
Reply #9 - Feb 3rd, 2025 at 6:37pm
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I shot with the NSSA back in the 70’s and 80’s.  Used the common Zouave repro.

I was one of the better shots on our team and used a 300 gr wad cutter dropped from a Lee mold.  If I recall, the load was 50 gr (volume) of 2F what ever powder was available (and cheap).  Pushing a well gooded (lubed) mini down the barrel every shot seemed to control fouling.

I think I was buying pure lead then for $0.30 a lb.  The wad cutter saved on lead and shot very well.  If I recall, my Zouave cost me $75.00, new.  Everything was done on a budget!

The challenge with the rifles were gettting the sights set up and tinkering with the locks for a decent trigger pull.

Still have the Zouave!

Mike.
  
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John in PA
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Re: Need 58 cal Minie balls, lube, etc
Reply #10 - Feb 4th, 2025 at 10:58am
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3F gives a quicker pressure spike to upset and gas seal lighter weight minies. 2f for longer barrels and heavier bullets (general rules!! experiment with everything!) 

good soft lube (50/50 olive oil and beeswax is a good start--again,  a zillion recipes) helps keep fouling soft. Swiss and Old Eynesford have the softest fouling because the green alder charcoal they use exclusively produces the most creosote, the softening agent for fouling.
  

John Wells
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Old Soldier
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Re: Need 58 cal Minie balls, lube, etc
Reply #11 - Feb 4th, 2025 at 12:29pm
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PM me your mailing address. I'll send you a care package.
Curt
  

"White man have very strong Medicine. Shoot today maybeso kill you tomorrow." Esa-Tai Commanche warrior
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218bee
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Re: Need 58 cal Minie balls, lube, etc
Reply #12 - Feb 4th, 2025 at 10:31pm
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Thanks Old Soldier. PM inbound.
  
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