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Mike,
I can't in full confidence answer that question, but I am sure someone else will. What I do know is at the N-SSA, where I shoot a lot, several guys shot the old civil war era ballards. To meet the rules they have to be converted to centerfire BB with a retractable firing pin. In talking with some of the guys and a couple people who are approved to convert them, they measure the bore to determine if the gun will become a 45 colt or a 44. We can ONLY shoot black powder. There are many reports of these guns cracking the frame after several hundred rounds, some never do it, some sooner. Keep in mind these are all pre marlin ballards with external tangs. Ball, Ball & Williams, etc. But they are cast actions. I have an original Ball Merwin & Bray that is not converted and won't be. It is in the .44 rinfire it was designed to shoot and I shoot it from time to time and have never had a problem. I suspect my loads are on the light side. I love to shoot it but have never shot it in anykind of competition.
I have heard of guys putting 38-55 barrels on the old Merwin Bray actions and not having a problem. Personaly, I think it is a horrible idea. If a .45 colt loaded with black powder can crack an action, I am quite sure a 38-55 could.
Just be careful, maybe one of the gunsmiths on this forum can look at them for you once you get them and tell you your best options. Some of these guys REALLY know ballards and what they can and can't do.
Stating the obvious here, 1st, take care to not damage yourself, 2nd, becareful to not damage such fine old rifles.
I hope to see you get them shooting, it's a shame when an old rifle isn't shot, just my opinion!
MerwinBray
P.S. the MerwinBray name by NO MEANS make me an expert, it is just a name I choose becaused of my interest in the original ballards and that companys history and dealings in the Great COnflict.
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Help with Ballar Id (Read 16141 times)
