jhm wrote on Sep 6^th, 2013 at 9:09pm:


.32 S&W Long, if I may be permitted an opinion (don't wish to offend you as I did Mr. Drinks!).  This is something I've already done with a #2 Ballard, & a more pleasant, accurate, & easy to load cartridge would be hard to find.  Most importantly, you'd be able to spare yourself the cost & aggravation of a relining job.

Just don't make the ignorant mistake I made of believing the idiot who rented me the finish reamer, telling me it was ALL I needed for the job...the first time I'd ever attempted such an operation.  Though the reamer was piloted, the pilot wasn't long enough to reach the throat--result (of course), an off-center chamber, as I found out the hard way.

Since I always orient the fire-formed cases the same way, I'm not sure this chamber defect degrades accuracy, but it still galls me that the jerk (out of business, I think) misinformed me.

My previous recommendation of .32 S&W assumed there was a .32RF barrel worth preserving...the situation with my #2.  But if you're obliged to reline or rebarrel, cartridge selection is wide open.  Maybe there's more to be said, in that case, for the .25-20.

Mr Taylor,

Thank you for your factual response. There is always so much information to be gleaned here. I have cleaned and examined the action and found no signs 
of cracks or fatigue so I am comfortable with this round. My next problem is where to get a duplicate barrel. I can get a Win profile but it does not match the Ballard and my mill table is not long enough for duplication of a blank. Custom barrels are too expensive so they are not an option.

Thanks again,
JHolland

Plus 1 for McGowan. They can also fit the barrel to your action and may be able to do the chamber. I use quite a few barrels from them even tho I'm a dealer for GM. Gm does not always have what I need but they do try to help me by pulling some barrels out before they are octagon so I can contour the way I need them.

Per the twist calculator I have, a .323" diameter 215gr bullet that is 1.1" long will be stabilized by a 12" twist. That is the 32cal bullet mould sold for Schuetzen by Buffalo Arms.