Loading a 40-85 Ballard

[AKBallard]

Good evening, new to this group. I have acquired a 40-85 Ballard No.5 Pacific. I had it completely worked over by the folks at Wyoming Armory. I have acquired .408" Diameter 370 Grain Lubed Hand Cast Lead Bullets, 40-85 Ballard (AKA 40-90 Ballard) Reformed* Reloadable Brass Cases (all from Buffalo Arms Company), Primers, dies, and 1.5-F Swiss Caviar Ball Black Powder. I measured the bullet depth to the crimp and subtracted the wad and 1/16 inch compression. This allows me to put approximately 70 grains of powder in the case. At this point I am looking for advise on how much compression is the right amount and what others load in the same case...Thank you in advance.

[indian joe]

using a drop tube to load????
1/16" is light - let the rifle tell you what it likes - work your way up a grain at the time - I never shot Swiss - others tell it does well with light compression .

If you are using a compound press - pay attention - you will have no clue as to the force of compression until you hear grains scrunching in the case

lots of advice for Swiss powder will likely be forthcoming

[AKBallard]

Thank you. Would you happen to know what shell holder I need to acquire? Online references are no help...

[Abert Rim]

Sir, I believe you need to abandon this project at once and forward the rifle and accessories to my address in Texas.
Seriously, I hope you find a load that really performs. The No. 5 Pacific has been my favorite Ballard configuration ever since first reading Ned Roberts's comments on it.

[Kenny Wasserburger]

What are the reformed brass made from, headstamp on the case head?

That will tell you what you need for a shell holder.

KW

[AKBallard]

What are the reformed brass made from, headstamp on the case head?

That will tell you what you need for a shell holder.

KW

Theis is where I purchased the brass. they do not say what it was formed from. https://www.buffaloarms.com/40-85-ballard-brass-cases-4085ballard.html I have written them to see what they suggest.

[indian joe]

Thank you. Would you happen to know what shell holder I need to acquire? Online references are no help...

Dunno whether this helps - its from an old post that came up on a search

I use 9.3x74R cases fire formed to .40-85, and the case rims are slightly smaller. So I'm trying to ensure the extractor stays under the rim as I chamber them.

[missionary5155]

Good Morning
Is your barrel stamped with a caliber designation ? Is your brass straight or a "bottle neck" type ?
Buff. Arms sells ammo in several 40 Ballard (straight case) calibers. The powder making changes as a lighter cast is used and more powder is used.
The 40-63, 40-70 both use the same brass. Just a different weight cast and powder.
If you need to make new 40 Ballard straight brass 9.3x74R ( Rimmed) works as noted. Buy some "O" rings at a hardware store to place on the case to hold it firm to the breach as you fire it. Also helps center the base to the chamber.

[indian joe]

I wonder is that brass reformed from magtech 410 brass ????????

[Kenny Wasserburger]

That is Bertram Brass 40-90 looks like.


Kenny Wasserburger

[AKBallard]

Good Morning
Is your barrel stamped with a caliber designation ? Is your brass straight or a "bottle neck" type ?
Buff. Arms sells ammo in several 40 Ballard (straight case) calibers. The powder making changes as a lighter cast is used and more powder is used.
The 40-63, 40-70 both use the same brass. Just a different weight cast and powder.
If you need to make new 40 Ballard straight brass 9.3x74R ( Rimmed) works as noted. Buy some "O" rings at a hardware store to place on the case to hold it firm to the breach as you fire it. Also helps center the base to the chamber.

The rifle was originally chambered in 40-63. I sent it to Wyoming Armory and they relined the barrel and chambered it for the brass provided by Buffalo Arms, 40-90.