45-85

Ballards

Moderators: Regnier (gunrunner), JohnK, Sure-Shot

Post Reply
davelarue
Marksman
Posts: 105
Joined: Fri May 30, 2003 4:11 pm
Location: Northern New Hampshire

45-85

Post by davelarue »

Hi, I've been trying to reasearch the 45-85 Marlin cartridge. I'm finding alot of conflicting information. I've seen reference to a 45-85 Ballard. I don't have Dutcher's book yet. Has anyone seen a Ballard marked 45-85, or seen a cartridge with a 45-85 Ballard headstamp? Thanks, Dave
Sure-Shot
Distinguished Expert
Posts: 1304
Joined: Sun Nov 17, 2002 5:01 pm
Location: Poulsbo, Washington, USA

Re: 45-85

Post by Sure-Shot »

Cartridges of the World, 10th Edition. 2003, states:40-85 Ballard, 40-90 Ballard. "40-85 and 40-90 Ballard are the same case with different loadings. L.D. Satterlee lists the 40-90 Everlasting with the J.M. Marlin Ballard Pacific No. 5 and Sporting No. 4 1/2 (introduced 1878). He shows the 40-85 chambering for the Pacific No. 5 after the Marlin Fire Arms Co. took over manufature in 1881" ... "The same loading data can be used for both cases, however they are not interchangable. Although the case of the 40-85 Ballard is longer, it has the same body as the 444 marlin case. It should be possible to make usable, albeit shorter, cases from those.These rifles had chambers designed to use a 0.403-inch (bore diameter), paper-patched bullet. Groove diameter typically ran 0.408 inch to 0.411 inch."

If you do a search I believe there was a prior post that discussed making the 40-85 using the 444 case.
GBOT, GBUSA
davelarue
Marksman
Posts: 105
Joined: Fri May 30, 2003 4:11 pm
Location: Northern New Hampshire

Re: 45-85

Post by davelarue »

Sure-Shot wrote:Cartridges of the World, 10th Edition. 2003, states:40-85 Ballard, 40-90 Ballard. "40-85 and 40-90 Ballard are the same case with different loadings. L.D. Satterlee lists the 40-90 Everlasting with the J.M. Marlin Ballard Pacific No. 5 and Sporting No. 4 1/2 (introduced 1878). He shows the 40-85 chambering for the Pacific No. 5 after the Marlin Fire Arms Co. took over manufature in 1881" ... "The same loading data can be used for both cases, however they are not interchangable. Although the case of the 40-85 Ballard is longer, it has the same body as the 444 marlin case. It should be possible to make usable, albeit shorter, cases from those.These rifles had chambers designed to use a 0.403-inch (bore diameter), paper-patched bullet. Groove diameter typically ran 0.408 inch to 0.411 inch."

If you do a search I believe there was a prior post that discussed making the 40-85 using the 444 case.
Thanks Sure-shot, I've got a 40-85 Ballard, but I was asking about 45-85. :)
User avatar
marlinman93
Distinguished Expert
Posts: 2853
Joined: Sun Nov 10, 2002 1:22 pm
Location: Portland, Oregon

Re: 45-85

Post by marlinman93 »

So many Ballards were not marked for caliber, so even if one had a Ballard chambered for this caliber, it might not have any stamp to indicate what it was. I'd venture a guess that more than 2/3 of my Ballards are not marked as to caliber.-Vall
Marlin lever actions 1870's-WWI, Ballards, and single shot rifles!
Sure-Shot
Distinguished Expert
Posts: 1304
Joined: Sun Nov 17, 2002 5:01 pm
Location: Poulsbo, Washington, USA

Re: 45-85

Post by Sure-Shot »

Sorry, misread it of course. 45-82, 45-85, 45-90 and 45-90 High Velocity although often listed seperately are all different loads and bullet weights in the same 45-90 case. Made for the 1886 repeater (Winchester) or the 1885 single shot it was introduced in 1895 and discontinued about 1936. Almost identical to 45-70 except longer and 45-70 was comonly used if other ammo was not available. Cartirdges of the World. I think my eyes connect to my brain differently as I age. Randy
GBOT, GBUSA
davelarue
Marksman
Posts: 105
Joined: Fri May 30, 2003 4:11 pm
Location: Northern New Hampshire

Re: 45-85

Post by davelarue »

I'm not positive, but I think the 45-85 for the Marlin 1881, Ballard, and Colt Lightning was based on the 45-70 case. I think it's another caliber that Winchester hijacked, and made based on the 45-90 case.
Hunt4em
Sharpshooter
Posts: 300
Joined: Mon Oct 30, 2006 11:10 am
Location: SW,Mo.

Re: 45-85

Post by Hunt4em »

Dave,
Dutcher's book only lists the .45-100 Ballard and the 11th edition of Cartridges of the World lists the .45-85 as Winchester. I have a couple of old .40-85 ballard rounds that are loaded and at some point bumped out to .45-?? . Old Ballard rebored to .45 or an old wildcatter experimenting, the Lord only knows! Maybe the old cartridges once belong to your gun. :wink:
Roundsworth
Beginner
Posts: 32
Joined: Thu Sep 12, 2013 4:38 am
Location: Minnesota

Re: 45-85

Post by Roundsworth »

The 45-85 was used by Marlin, Bullard and Colt with the 2-1/10" case. The bullets were 285 grains and 295 grains. I don't collect metallic cartridges anymore, and am quoting these facts from memory, as my reference books have been sold. Cheers!
GMC(SW), USN - Retired / 1978 - 2001
USS San Diego
USS Missouri
USS Boxer
NAS Whidbey Island
Post Reply