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Thread: Ballard Action rebarel/rebuild

  1. #1
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
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    Ballard Action rebarel/rebuild

    My brother-in-law, an engineer with enough equipment to furnish 2 machine shops, died and I got a Ballard receiver marked J.M. MARLIN NEW-HAVEN CONN.U.S.A. BALLARD'S PATENT NOV.3 1?86. Some of tiger system is there and he had started to reline the barrel with .25-20 WCF, it was a .40-65 Everlasting. Barrel is cut so I am looking for a smith that could rebuild the action and rebarrel it. I would like a 30" barrel in either .32-20, .38-40 , or .38-55. What barrel maker would you use and which of the 3 calibers would you go with. What twist would you ask for, for the caliber you like. The caliber I shoot now is the .38-55 with a 1-14 twist in a High Wall. I don't like light weight .45-70 anymore as it hurts to set down and shoot 100 rounds. I can't shoot over 200 yards anymore either as 75 year old eyes just don't work good enough for longer ranges. I know a few years ago a smith that worked for the new Ballard Rifle Co. set up shop in Wyoming but don't remember who or where.

  2. #2
    Boolit Buddy
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    Need to determine if it is a forged or cast action. Cast actions are getting a reputation of not strong enough for anything bigger than 22 lr. Been discussed a lot in the ASSRA forum.

  3. #3
    Boolit Grand Master

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    I have several I can recommend My C sharps High wall in 38-55 has a 1-14 mcgowen on it. A real performer little leading or fouling issues. My cpa is a 40-65 with a douglas 1-16 i think thats also very good. My brochardt has one of BRCs barrels by Al Story on it 45 cal 1-18 very accurate and is a choked barrel. Have a couple very accurate green mountain barrels. Mist are tapered octagons or half round contours 30-34" lengths.

    I would look at the BRC barrels and Talk to Al bout them

  4. #4
    Boolit Grand Master In Remembrance
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    beshears .... if the rifle was originally a 40-65, it was not a cast iron action as were many of the early JM Marlin Ballards
    Regards
    John

  5. #5
    Boolit Grand Master In Remembrance
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    Warren, why not just finish the 25-20. It is an excellent 200 yd caliber
    Regards
    John

  6. #6
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
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    John Boy I don't know how good the liner is and if it is attached good enough to shoot. I have 5 lever guns in .25-20 which is the reason he went that way. Any way I go I have to have a smith do it as I don't have any machines though I have a degree in engineering, also I am 75 and retired and doing myself is to much like work as wood is where I like to play any more.

  7. #7
    Boolit Buddy 22cf45's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
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    NW Missouri
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    I've used Green Mountain barrels on several Ballards, Winchester, and Stevens. No problems with accuracy and would use the same again. Personally, I would go with a 32-40. Pleasant to shoot with excellent accuracy potential. Again, you need to determine if it is a cast or forged action first. It is likely a forged action since it had a 40-63 barrel on it but that's assuming it was the orginal barrel???

    Wyoming Armory is the company i think you trying to remember. Some of the Cody Ballard Rifle Co. started it up after the closing.
    Phil

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check