John,

I'd be a lot more worried about what pressure the load produces than what velocity.  Velocity doesn't blow apart weak actions, pressure does.  Equal velocity loads can have a range of 3 or 4 times the pressure from lowest to highest.   

Being that the ballard was originally intended for blackpowder cartridges, I'd hold the pressure down below those pressures, regardless of the resulting velocity.  In using smokeless, I'd use the slowest burning powder that I could get to reliably light and burn, that will produce a velocity similar to blackpowder velocities.  That should result in the lowest pressures.  Unique is really quite a fast burning powder, and can produce fairly high pressures.

As Val said, Ballard dropped the 44-40 chambering as it was considered excessive for the ballard cast action.  I'd hold my loads down below SAAMI max by a ways knowing that information.

dave

Dave is spot on! Velocity would not be much of a factor for loading in a weaker action, and pressure, or pressure rise would be my main concern. I do use Unique in my old Ballard rifles, but moderate loads that still don't reach max pressures.

44WCF Chronograph Reloads Test
Jun 24th - My 48th Wedding Anniversary! 
82 degrees - 41% RH
220gr Bullet - No patching

6.5gr Unique
Avg Velocity - 1017 fps
STDev - 16.5 fps

7.5gr Unique 
Avg Velocity -  1125 fps
STDev - 9.7 fps

5.2gr TiteGroup
Avg Velocity - 975 fps
STDev - 22.9 fps

5.2gr ETR7 (comparable TiteGroup loading data)
Avg Velocity - 820 fps
STDev - 8.6 fps

* Primers showed no signs of high pressure for any charge
* No blow backs
All charges except the ETR7 had a 'cracking' sound on ignition

No opinions yet about the 'best' load because I only shot at 50yds.  But I liked the lower ignition sound of the ETR7.  Here's the link to the powder ... 
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) It is Spanish Maxum CBS1 powder

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Goex Load Chart ... (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

These loading data's were not developed by Hodgdon for Goex powders!  The source for all was done by Curtis's & Harvey's.  Hodgdon sold C&H BP in the 1970's and C&H provided them with the data

This link is the only composite loading data for BP that exists anywhere.  Download a copy onto your computer in case Hodgdon ever decides to delete the link!

John Boy,

Thanks. Here's some more info you might be interested in from the Jan 1913 WRA catalog.
For the 44 Win and the 44-40 Marlin cartridges, both were shown loaded with 40 grains powder, and the 
"Brands of Powder Used: American Powder Mills' "Rifle Cartridge No. 4", Hazard Powder Company's "Kentucky Rifle F.F.G.", E.I.DuPont de Nemours & Company's "DuPont Rifle F.F.G.", Lafin & Rand Powder Company's "Orange Rifle Extra F.F.G." "

Wasn't questioning the 39gr charge, but the FFFg granulation raised an eyebrow.
In my 38 Extra Long using a 210gr bullet and keeping the same powder charge, simply going from FFg to FFFg makes an interesting and noticable difference.

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Just open the site up Fred, and then add it to your favorites list on your computer.

Test No 2
44WCF Chronograph Reloads Test
Jun 29th - Jury Duty Says Nope, They Don't Need Me
75 degrees - 55% RH
220gr Bullet - No patching

6.0gr Unique
* 956 AVG fps
* 38.3 STDiv
7.0gr Unique
* 1039 AVG fps
* 30.6 STDiv
5.0gr TiteGroup
* 1011 AVG fps
9.5 STDiv
5.5gr ETR7
* 879.8 AVG fps
6.5 STDiv

I'm liking this ETR7 Spanish powder!  Raise the velocity and believe it will be the powder of choice