Armi Jager Remington repro

[lyman54]

Been a long time. Anyhow I could use some advice. Picked up an Armi Jager Remington contract rifle, hate using the term "Zouave", 1975 date code and really nice shape. Using a .575 Minie from a Lee mold. Balls go all over the place. I'm thinking that a .578 ball might work, or a .575 patched RB. The .575 seems too small. What do you guys think. The .575 worked great in my P53 and they fit tight in the .577 bore, the current ones will just drop down. Thanks.

 

[azmntman]

Drop down easy = bulged barrel (eventually) as they will also move fwd off the powder very easily. Fer sure find a minnie that is .001 smaller than bore and/or PRB.

 

[Zonie]

I own a similar rifled musket made by Jager and I've never got it to shoot real well with a patched .570 ball or a Minie' for that matter.

I have other rifles to shoot that are very accurate so I'll admit I never spent any time trying to get the Zou... (opps), I mean the Remington to shoot well by working up a good patch/powder load.

As you probably know, these rifled muskets had very shallow rifling to work with Minie' bullets so maybe your best bet would be to try some thicker patch material?

A good, tight patch/ball load seems to help the Thompson Center Hawkens. Maybe it will help your Zou..... Remington too.

 

[lyman54]

Thanks. I never thought of a loose ball doing damage but it does make sense.

 

[timothy prouty]

Have you slug the bore I had a Italian made that has a bore of 580 the only thing it we'll shoot is that are RCBS Holden mole or you can go to S&S firearm and pick up a 580 lubing die and throw that in your Lyman 450 lubing press hand pump your mini bullets

 

[lyman54]

It's ok, you can say Zouave LOL. Yes the rifling is very shallow for rifles and muskets meant for the Minie ball. The Enfield was the same. It shot RB well but not as good. Maybe I'll go with the .578 minie. If that doesn't work I'll try RB and have a collection of molds. Thank you.

 

[lyman54]

I did not slug the bore. I don't have any of that material, forgot the name, that shrinks. I've slugged the bore of my .303 but could push it out. You are right about different bore diameters and they should be checked.

 

[lyman54]

Yes indeed I said "Zouave", much easier. Anyway bought the Lee mold for the Improved Minie which is .578 to the traditional at .575 and things are good. Only got off 5 shots at the sand pits today but it hit what I aimed for. I'll get to the club this week put 'er to the test. Thanks to all who offered help.