205 gr, is a lot to push, in a Ballard action. 

32/20's are weak cases and I'm afraid you might stretch the case heads. Rem cases are best but, still can stretch, if the action isn't at least as strong as a 44 1/2.

Just to add to the weight debate, my heaviest bullet for 32-40 In my high walls is a nominal 200 grain from an old Ideal mould.  Normally I stick to 185-200 grain bullets for all of my 32s, including 32/357 Dell in a Peregrine action.


The 32-20 CPA cartridge was developed for the CPA copy of the 44 1/2 Stevens which, being made of modern steels, is arguably one of the strongest single shot actions out there.  OTOH, the cast action Ballard, for all of its good points, is one of the weakest single shot actions commonly found in the schuetzen game.  Friend Vall (marlinguy) is arguably among the greatest lovers of Ballards in the world, but he wouldn't argue this point.  Most of us would hesitate to chamber a cast Ballard in the old 32-40, and 32-20 (original) shouldn't be hot rodded too much.

Your money and your safety decision, but I would advise against putting that kind of stress on your cast Ballard action.

Forge

Just an update

I spoke to CPA and it turns out they had a minor issue with the 
32-20 cpa barrel so we are switching the caliber to 32-20 wcf
Thank you for your help 

Jason

Hi Jack your advice is allways appreciated 
I would love to go with a 32-40 but the problem was the cast Ballard action
Other gentlemen advised the bullet would be too heavy for the action with the 32-20 cpa, which uses a 32-40 size bullet. 
Stepping down to the 32wcf I’m told will be a much more reasonable choice to ask of the cast action 
It’s my first Ballard so I’m excited 
Jason

Skalkaho wrote on Aug 20^th, 2024 at 9:56am:


From the advice I’ve gotten for the cast action it’s best to stay with a lighter bullet to keep pressures down. 
I’m new to all of this and definitely want to be respectful of an action that has survived so long. I’ve got a lot to learn!
I’d love to try a heavier bullet in the future if I get a forged action Ballard 

Jason

IMHO, a cast Ballard should be a 22lr.  Ballard's make phenomenal 22 target rifles and last forever in that configuration.  Barrels, stocks gunsmithing and finishing cost the same on a weak action that could potentially hurt someone or nobody wants.
Why not build a fantastic 22 with a Shilen ratchet rifle barrel on this action.
Personally, I wouldn't put a 32-20 CPA chamber on a forged Ballard (and I love Ballard's).
Just my 2 cents.

The cast action Ballard rifles were chambered not only in .32 Long, .38 Long, .44 Long, and .44-40, but also in .32-20 all from the Marlin factory. Never heard of any if them blowing apart.
A person should use common sense and reasonable load data for any centerfire chambered Ballard cast action, and if they do a .32-20 is very safe in this action. I've owned several cast action .32-20 Ballard #2 rifles, and still own and shoot one regularly.
I have seen numerous cast actions fitted with barrels chambered in scary cartridges never intended for a cast Ballard, and I wouldn't even shoot near some of those rifles regardless of how long the owners told me they'd been using them.
Any original old single shot rifle should be loaded conservatively, and not hotrodded. It's not any different regardless of the action, or which maker built them. They're all over 100 years old and care should be taken regardless.