Ballard Caliber Question

[John Allen]

Hey All, I just picked up a Ballard. It is apart right now soaking so it will be a day or two till I get some pics up.

It has the reversible firing pin and I believe it is a No. 2

I still have to do a chamber cast but was hoping someone out there had a list of the calibers they originally came in. The serial numbers match on the barrel, frame and action so I am pretty sure the barrel is original. The gun appears to be something in a 30 or 32 caliber and based on looking at the chamber something around the size of a 32sw.

Thanks in advance for any and all help.

John

[Outpost75]

If you can use .32 S&W or S&W Lon g brass you have the makings of an ultimate fun gun there.

My most enjoyed rifle is a tiny English rook rifle which John Taylor relined and chambered to .32 S&W Long for me. With Fiocchi wadcutters it is nearly silent, and it is as accurate as a good .22 rimfire. An inch at 50 yards with good ammo. Typically 1.5 to 1.7 grains of Bullseye. VERY cheap and pleasant to shoot. More effective than .22 LR and you can eat right up to the bullet hole!

[John Allen]

I have not chamber cast it yet but will tonight or tomorrow. A 32sw will not fit in the chamber. I have to try a 32 long colt but have to clean the chamber up some first.

[Chill Wills]

Does it have a manual extractor at 6 o'clock in front of the action? Is this a pre Marlin rifle?

[John Allen]

The actual extractor is at 9. I am soaking it as the writing is faint. I think it is probably a 32 long that uses heeled bullets have to get it cleaned up first to tell. The bore has really good rifling but lots of rust.

[John Allen]

I did a chamber cast it looks like it is a 32 long colt. The diameter is .322 and the length is around .90 The bore looks to be .309 so now to find everything I need.

[John Taylor]

The 32s listed for the Ballard are, 32 short RF, 32 long RF, 32 extra long RF,32 long shot RF,32 long CF, 32 long crimped CF, 32 extra long CF and 32 extra long shot CF. These were for the cast frame, the forged steel frame had four different 32-40 Ballard.