BP wrote on Dec 29^th, 2015 at 7:55pm:


No, not me, I'm just a caretaker. I'm expected to pass them on in good shape!

BTW, my comments above notwithstanding about the prudence of a 40-65 in a LW, MY 40-65 is built on a High Wall. 

Besides, You folks have schooled me on the relative strengths of the Ballard and the Low Wall. I'm convinced by the "don't do it" opinions.

Glad to be here and learning.

I agree that we need to assume that the next person might do something stupid. But I'm sure not going to do something to enable him. But there are numerous examples of the various factories 100+ years ago that tried things and then discontinued them later. A good example are the Ballard #2 that were built in both .44-40 and .44 Long. They are fairly uncommon today simply because Marlin decided the cartridges were too much for the cast frame. But I've never heard of one blowing up, or shooting loose. I've owned 3 in .44-40, and still own one in .44 Extra Long, and all were/are tight.
Stevens also offered the 44 in both .38-55, .32-40, and several other calibers, that they dropped later. I have seen all of those with loose pins, but never seen or heard of one blowing up.
I doubt most people today would buy an original Ballard or Stevens in these calibers, and feel they should rebarrel them to smaller cartridges, just because some dolt will overload them after they move them along later.

frnkeore wrote on Dec 30^th, 2015 at 11:03am:


Hope you're the owner rather than the "caretaker", Frank. 

This talk about caretakers and what will happen after we sell a rifle or pass on reminds me of teenage girl talk. 

I own my rifles and I don't loose any sleep over who has them after I'm gone. 

Same as when I sell a car or motorcycle.  Nothing but negative thinking. 

               Joe. 

Like Vall said, I paid good money for them and own them - they're mine.  I don't see the caretaker point of view as some namby-pamby politically correct tripe, but as a way of looking at certain historical pieces of my collection that were made before my parents were born, and hopefully, through careful use and proper preservation, will continue to be shootable and collectible long after I'm gone.  It's like a reminder to myself not to treat them casually and carelessly, even though they are mine right now.

I like your approach.

jy3855 wrote on Dec 31^st, 2015 at 9:33pm:


What? Where did that come from?  A bit extreme, don't you think?   

Do you really feel you might destroy antiquities??   


       Joe. 

westerner wrote on Jan 1^st, 2016 at 10:18am:


I agree, the example is an exaggeration, but they're not making some of these guns anymore.  It would be nice to pass them on so that they can be enjoyed anew.  As much as I enjoy owning and shooting old rifles, I would like them to be enjoyed as long as possible.

We have been down the road on cartridges for a Low-wall action.
de Haas states it is adequate for the .357 Mag. cartridge, which seems high, but shows examples.
FrankOre suggests something below 32-40/38-55 class cartridges which is more reasonable.
All are higher than what the factory did, but have been used without damage to body parts.

The attached chart uses SAAMI Cartridge Base Diameter and Maximum Average Pressure to determine and compare the cartridge thrust for cartridges that might be used in a Low-Wall.
Nothing new, just shown differently.
Chuck 

Chart modified based on Frank's comments.