New Ballard

marlinman93 · Post by **marlinman93** » Sun Aug 28, 2005 9:38 pm

Picked up another Ballard for my collection this weekend at our collector's show! It's a very nice #2 in a rare .44 Ballard Extra Long. Lots of original finish on the metal, and almost 100% of the stock finish, with none of the usual Ballard cracks in the wrist!
The bore is perfect, so hopefully I'll be shooting it as soon as I can get some cases worked up from old .30-40 Krag shortened brass.

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marlinman93 · Post by **marlinman93** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 5:11 pm

Well I didn't use the Krag brass, as it needed too much expansion, and annealing to facilitate it's use. Instead I stuck with Marlin brass! I found .444 brass to be the right rim diameter, a bit large at the base, and with enough extra length to cut down, and ream. I chucked 20 cases in the lathe, and cut the diameter down from the rim to about 1/2" above it, until it fit into my .44 magnum dies for a full length resize. I cut to 2" length, and reamed the necks, and loaded with a 230 grain cast lead bullet.
The end result is a case that's a perfect fit, and has a headstamp that now reads, ".44 Marlin" as I used a small burr on my dremel to remove the third "4" on the case!

moodyholler · Post by **moodyholler** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 9:26 am

MM93, is that a cast action or forged? Thanks, moodyholler

marlinman93 · Post by **marlinman93** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 5:52 pm

#2's are cast actions, except for a very small number. I have a #2 in .32 Ballard XL, that is a forged action, but I'd guess that is because it has double set triggers, and is centerfire only. A rareity for a #2. The cast action wont take a lot of heavy loads, so I'm keeping this load down to acceptable pressures. The original loading was a 265 gr. bullet at 1300+ fps, and I think the Ballard #2 would handle that, but I want to keep this lower.
Marlin chambered a good number of #2's for .44-40, and I haven't heard of any blowing up, but I would keep that cartridge to lower levels too.

Hobie · Post by **Hobie** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 1:19 pm

Looks like the .445 Super Mag. Pretty darn cool. I can see the turn marks on the case but you didn't feed it too fast, it looks good. I'd like to see a pic of the headstamp as you're altered it. Using a Dremel as a sort of running iron is a nifty idea.

marlinman93 · Post by **marlinman93** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 7:16 pm

Hobie,
My lathe is has a hand crank, so it feeeds at whatever rate I turn it. I fed it pretty slow, and also hit the case with some emery afterwards. I'll take a pic of the base later. Got a OAC board meeting tonight. Getting ready for next August's two day collector show already!

marlinman93 · Post by **marlinman93** » Sun Mar 26, 2006 7:46 pm

Picked up an original Ballard Improved Gallery tang sight today for the old .44XL! Not too many around, and this one was a super buy! I'm a happy guy!

Terry B · Post by **Terry B** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 9:37 am

Marlinman93, where can one find a sight like this for my #2 .32 Sporting Ballard i have

Thanks

marlinman93 · Post by **marlinman93** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 6:17 pm

If you're looking for an original, it may be a long wait! I was very fortunate to have this one come my way, as they are prized items, and not often found!
If you are interested in a reproduction, drop me a email. I have the repro that was on my #2, and I'll let you have it for what I paid, plus a little S&H. It's actually a bit better sight, as the repro is a vernier adjustment midrange, rather than a gallery style that simply slides up and down.
marlinguy@juno.com

Marlin Firearms Collectors Association

New Ballard

New Ballard

Tang mount sight?