Any one ever come across 44-100 original Ballard bullets?

[Huntingchessie]

94121Has anyone else ever come across any of these? I have some that are the original Umc bullets in the original boxes. Have a few everlasting cases also. I would almost feel bad loading them up and shooting them. I would like to put together a rifle in this caliber but I don't know where to even find more brass and using the original bullets doesn't seem right if I could make them myself. Just looking for some advice..........

[Lead pot]

I shoot a 44-100. What is the diameter and length of those bullets If you would please measure them.

The only advice I can give you is; if you shoot them there wont be any more.

[Huntingchessie]

On the paper .445-.446. On the metal .435. Length is 1.52". With a cupped base. They seem to be made from 2 different alloys as they have a tip that is a slightly different color.

From what i can find online and otherwise finding these bullets is like finding the last few wild buffalo grazing over the hill undisturbed for years. Seems like the rest are all gone.

[Don McDowell]

Are they cupped or flatbase? You've got something there a number of longrange bpcr folks, would die to have a look at, Please do not shoot them. There are no shortage of mould makers that can duplicate that bullet.
:roll: Oops to busy drooling over the picture, didn't see the "cupped base" part.

[Lead pot]

Thank you for the measurements. The Ballard rifle did use the .445" bullets. Now all I have to find out what the ROT Ballard used to keep that 1-1/2" long bullet stable.
The discoloration on different bullets is just from age. What is surprising to me is that the lead looks as good as it does without turning gray.
Before you shoot them I would like to offer to buy that box of bullets from you. If you want to sell them send me a PM.

[Don Purcell]

FOR GOD'S SAKE DON'T SHOOT'EM THAT WOULD BE SACRELEDGE! Get yourself a mould made with their dimensions and use that. We have enough history being destroyed as it is.

[SWAGE-X]

As the others have said,PLEASE, do not shoot these! Have a mold cut & go from there.
Too much history to lose.
My opinion only.
Bob

[2AMMD]

I agree with the "historians", DON'T SHOOT THEM. They would be gone before you even got close to the right load for them in your rifle any way. Only thing that bothers me is that one of them will have to be unwrapped to get the measurements for the mould and the box won't be 100% Original. But it's better than shooting them all and having nothing left.
2AMMD

[Huntingchessie]

I have some loose ones also, don't know where the boxes went to. One of those has lost the paper patch already which is where the measurements came from. I'm glad I went with my gut feeling and didn't just try loading some.

If some one needed brass for a 44-100 Ballard where would you look?

[Don McDowell]

Form your brass from 45 2.6 starline, or trim down Norma basic.

[Huntingchessie]

The everlasting brass that I have is 2.83" in length so I'm assuming you mean the Norma 45 2.9" basic? How would you use the shorter starline brass? Or do you adjust your seating depth?

[Don McDowell]

If your brass is 2.83 then your only option would be going the longer brass, and no the 2.6 starline wouldn't work.

[Lead pot]

Maynard and Remington used 2.6 cases for the .44-100 st