Need to learn a new cartridge-.44-100 Ballard

[marlinman93]

It finally landed! About an hour ago the mailman knocked on the door and said, "I think you've been waiting for this!"
My new (to me) Ballard #7 Long Range Creedmoor model, in .44-100 Ballard!
All went well as far as care for the package, without even a scratch on the cardboard box! Well packaged, and in a decent hard case, with cardboard cover. Even if it took USPS almost a week longer than they estimated!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/marlinguy/DSCF5011.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/marlinguy/media/DSCF5011.jpg.html)
The gun isn't minty, but it's certainly well cared for at 141 years old! The seller thought the long range sight was a repro, but it's definitely original, with a repro aperture. The bore looks fantastic, and I just finished scoping it the entire length and found crisp rifling throughout. The barrel has a 7/16" front sight dovetail which I've only run into once before on a Ballard, and it too was a first year production. So guessing this changed after the first year. Has the typical 34" half octagon of the Ballard Long Range Creedmoor model.
Wood has some handling marks, but nothing big, and no typical Ballard cracks in the wrist. Checkering is strong on the buttstock, and some bumps on the forearm where it was rested while firing.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/marlinguy/DSCF5013.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/marlinguy/media/DSCF5013.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/marlinguy/DSCF5012.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/marlinguy/media/DSCF5012.jpg.html)
The steel buttplate has a chip out of the toe, and tiny chip in the wood, but not sure I'll even bother repairing it; it's so small.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/marlinguy/DSCF5018.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/marlinguy/media/DSCF5018.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/marlinguy/DSCF5016.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/marlinguy/media/DSCF5016.jpg.html)
And then there's the cartridge! Seller sent along one assembled cartridge, which is a bit over 3.75" OAL!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/marlinguy/DSCF5015.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/marlinguy/media/DSCF5015.jpg.html)

John Dutcher shows eleven #7 Ballard known serial numbers, and this makes #12 known!

[Jedman]

Very Nice ! :-):grin:

[marlinman93]

Thanks Jedman! I rolled a few paper patch bullets today, just to see how it works. Need to build a metal template, so I can cut patches easier, and uniform.

[country gent]

Most hobby stores sell brass flat stock 1/16" and 1/8" thiick in various widths and 12" lengths. This is a good start for a patch template. WHat I do is cut a strip of the paper to be used and put 3 wrapps around the bullet to be used. WIth a razor blabe or sharp exacto knife cut a nick in the lower edge threw all three layers. With a simple protractor set to 30*-45* go from first nick and then do same from the second nick shortening about .030. This helps with paper stretch and gives a little space between ends so they dont overlapp. Rewrap this patch on bullet if all is right then a licht coat of rubber cement on the brass stock and glue the paper to it. You now have the pattern to size to cut and file the template to. If your doing more than 2 calibers a rolling paper cutter with a Adjustable fence and guide added works good and is quick and easy to use. On mine the guide is 45* with s feet to position from square edge. Its held down with double faced tape. The fence is adjustable on 2 14 x 20 rods. Adjust fence for width of srtips and cut a few. Adjust to length of patch and set guide onto table cut patches to length and angled ends I know now what straight line measurement gives me various calibers actual patch length and it wrote on the cutter. Thata a fine old rifle and should be alot of fun getting up and running

[marlinman93]

Thanks! Already figured out that first part by doing exactly what you described. Three wraps and a razor cut. Just have to build the template to make cutting them easier. And figure out what black powder to use, and all the other things that go with that!

I was given one loaded cartridge along with all the brass, mold, dies, etc. The paper patched bullet easily pulls out of the case, so it appears to have no crimp? It looks like the person who loaded the charge is using a soft plastic wad under the bullet? I thought it was wax at first, but poked at it to see if it made a mark, and it's flexible plastic! Haven't attempted to take it apart to figure out what else is under the wad.

[marlinman93]

Comparison of the .44-100 to some others I own.
L to R:
.38-55-255 gr.
.45-70-500 gr.
.40-70-400 gr. Ballard
.44-100-475 gr. Ballard
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/marlinguy/DSCF5019.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/marlinguy/media/DSCF5019.jpg.html)

[marlinman93]

Had time to do some checking, and playing today with the #7! Slugged the bore and was surprised to see it is about halfway between a .44-100 and a .45-70! It slugged to .452" with a soft lead ball. Just to be sure I grabbed a .446" bullet and it dropped into the neck of a sized case! Then I took a .458" bullet and ran it through my .452" sizer, and it fit the neck perfectly with good tension.
I then set up the dies to see how deep the 500 grain bullet would need to seat and chamber. Since the factory .44-100 was a 500-535 grain bullet, figured it should work. Well sort of. In order to seat a 500 gr. bullet, it ends up with about 60% of the bullet seated into the case, or the ogive hits the rifling!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/marlinguy/DSCF5021.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/marlinguy/media/DSCF5021.jpg.html)
The left is the case I got with the gun, and the right is the 500 grain sized and seated, plus the bullet itself beside it. I think I'll fire up the furnace and cast some of my 405 gr. bullets. They may have a more pointed nose shape, and possibly seat out farther. They'll also be easier on the shoulder!
I'm actually glad the bore slugs larger, as sizing down .45-70 bullets will give me a lot more variety of bullets to try, and figure out what the #7 likes best. I have .457" molds for 360 gr., 395 gr., 405 gr, 425 gr.., and the 500 gr. above. One of them should work, and maybe not beat me to death shooting either!

[Blackwater]

What a great acquisition! Thanks for sharing it with us! Can't wait to read your range reports with it!

[marlinman93]

What a great acquisition! Thanks for sharing it with us! Can't wait to read your range reports with it!

Thanks Blackwater! I had hoped to get some bullets cast and sized, but the weather isn't cooperating here! I cast outdoors, and it's been triple digits the last few days! Hopefully it will drop down 10-15 degrees, and I can get some casting done!