I think the only way to be sure if a Ballard frame is cast or forged is to remove the breachblock and examine the inside of the frame. A cast frame will have a rough pebbley looking surface and be hollow under the barrel shank area. A forged frame will show a smoother machined appearance and will be solid under the barrel shank area.

It is my understanding that a two line frame marking is usually found on forged frames and a three line frame marking is usually found on a cast frame but this is not true in all cases.

I hope this helps.

Regards,
Powderman

I just got offered a real nice Ballard with the trhree line adress in 38 XL all original except the forearm is an old replacement and the barrel is in half way decent shape for $375.00 Almost all of the metal has a cnice patina on it with little or no original finish left. Should I grab it or pass?
Sounds like a deal to me but I'm not sure.


MikeW

No set triggers ZI wish it did. My other Ballard with the forged reciver has set triggers and they are sure nice.
Thats the one I have the picture of showing. I just purchased it for $1500.00.
Mikw W

It's a cast reciever not forged. But it is an all original rifle except for the forearm. Being a cast reciver I'm not sure it's worth the money, but then again with price's always going up who knows.
Mike W

So, you think it's definatly worth the money then? You have been at this longer than I have, I'm sorta new to Ballards.
Mike

OK, I finaly got the hint. I call and get it. Some one said I could use .357 mag shells in it so it will be cheap to reload for.
Mike W

Where oh where do people find these kind of deals? I've never in my life been offered a deal that sweet!

OK , What's a Pm?

Please stop! You're killing us! Why not just buy everything the guy has in the way of single shot rifles? Sounds like they're all way too cheap!
Yes, you can use .357 cases to make a .38 Long, but a .38 Special case works better, as it requires no trimming. BUT! You can't use the same bullets! The .38 Long is a heeled bullet, and larger above the case than a .357" bullet. You can get by with hollow base wadcutters, as they'll usually bump the base up to fill the bores. Best to get the correct mold and cast the heeled bullets. I use a Lyman mold for a 160 gr. bullet that is the correct heeled bullet, and works great!
Vall

For a .22 plinker a cast action might be better - would imagine it weighs a big less.

You can use 357 maximum in the 38 xl its soooo close to being right. Be aware that the early Marlin Ballard actions were all cast and did have the bottom under the barrel solid. Thats why one should be apprensive about recoloring an early Marlin as there is a lot of slag in the receiver and it will open up.