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Cody Ballard VS Stevens 44 1/2 action strength (Read 471 times)

cdnrokon Full Member Offline Posts: 132 Location: Winnipeg,Manitoba Canada Joined: Feb 27^th, 2016	Cody Ballard VS Stevens 44 1/2 action strength Jun 30^th, 2025 at 12:06pm	Print Post
	I have a #1 Silhouette model Cody Ballard in 40/65 and a Stevens 44 1/2 I would like to shoot smokeless loads and re barrel to a 32/40 what action would be better ?


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Statesrights Senior Forum Member Offline Posts: 374 Location: Virginia Joined: May 3^rd, 2016	Re: Cody Ballard VS Stevens 44 1/2 action strength Reply #1 - Jun 30^th, 2025 at 12:19pm	Print Post
	Both are quite sufficient for stout .45-65 loads. Are you asking which would blow up first if you are imprudent?


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cdnrokon Full Member Offline Posts: 132 Location: Winnipeg,Manitoba Canada Joined: Feb 27^th, 2016	Re: Cody Ballard VS Stevens 44 1/2 action strength Reply #2 - Jun 30^th, 2025 at 12:28pm	Print Post
	well I do not think I would blow up either one as my hot load days are over but stamped on the Ballard "Black Powder Only" I thought I would ask the question


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oneatatime Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 4049 Location: Rocky Mountains Joined: Oct 30^th, 2011	Re: Cody Ballard VS Stevens 44 1/2 action strength Reply #3 - Jun 30^th, 2025 at 12:39pm	Print Post
	Isn't that because there are no SAAMI standards for the 40-65? My Browning BPCR 40-65 also says that and obviously there is no problem there. Personally, I would leave the Cody Ballard as is and just have a second changeable 32-40 barrel made for the 44 1/2 - I have 4 for mine.


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frnkeore Frequent Elocutionist Online Posts: 7434 Location: Central Point, OR 97502 Joined: Jun 16^th, 2010	Re: Cody Ballard VS Stevens 44 1/2 action strength Reply #4 - Jun 30^th, 2025 at 12:39pm	Print Post
	Strength wise, the 44 1/2 is stronger. The CPA a little stronger than the original.

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marlinguy Frequent Elocutionist Offline Ballards may be weaker, but they sure are neater! Posts: 16856 Location: Oregon Joined: Feb 2^nd, 2009	Re: Cody Ballard VS Stevens 44 1/2 action strength Reply #5 - Jun 30^th, 2025 at 1:45pm	Print Post
	The Cody Ballard rifles are stronger than original Marlin Ballard rifles as they're made from stronger steel. Either action is fine for smokeless .32-40 loads, but I'd leave the Ballard as is since they've become highly prized, and get a CPA barrel for your Stevens.

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4570mike Senior Forum Member Offline Posts: 410 Location: On the Peninsula Joined: Apr 11^th, 2013	Re: Cody Ballard VS Stevens 44 1/2 action strength Reply #6 - Jun 30^th, 2025 at 3:56pm	Print Post
	I have experience with both. As others have suggested, get a 32-40 barrel for the CPA. Allows you to easily switch it back and forth as the need arises. Accuracy wise, you won’t be goving anything up assuming both rifles are configured simultaneously. Mike.


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cdnrokon Full Member Offline Posts: 132 Location: Winnipeg,Manitoba Canada Joined: Feb 27^th, 2016	Re: Cody Ballard VS Stevens 44 1/2 action strength Reply #7 - Jul 1^st, 2025 at 1:52pm	Print Post
	Reading online the #1 silhouette Cody Ballard is safe for any factory loaded smokeless or black powder hand loads they were machined from solid bar stock not investment cast


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gunlaker Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 2380 Location: lower mainland, B.C. Joined: Dec 13^th, 2010	Re: Cody Ballard VS Stevens 44 1/2 action strength Reply #8 - Jul 1^st, 2025 at 3:59pm	Print Post
	I would send the 44-1/2 to CPA and have them fit a 32-40 barrel. It'll be perfect for 32-40 smokeless loads and with CPA you'll be sure to get a rifle that will shoot very well. They have lots of experience with the 32-40 can sell you a mold to fit the barrel & chamber too. Chris.


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sureshot Senior Forum Member Offline Posts: 328 Location: Snohomish Joined: May 27^th, 2007	Re: Cody Ballard VS Stevens 44 1/2 action strength Reply #9 - Jul 1^st, 2025 at 4:05pm	Print Post
	I'm not sure which is stronger. Machined from bar stock or investment cast steel. Ruger #1 actions are investment cast and considered by most to be the gold standard in strength. Shiloh Sharps actions are also investment cast and the owner of the company has said they will handle Ruger #1 loads. Any metallurgists on here have an opinion? Steve 😁


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frnkeore Frequent Elocutionist Online Posts: 7434 Location: Central Point, OR 97502 Joined: Jun 16^th, 2010	Re: Cody Ballard VS Stevens 44 1/2 action strength Reply #10 - Jul 1^st, 2025 at 4:14pm	Print Post
	It's not the strength of the material, it how the action locks up and in the case of the Ballard, the split breech block. The design strength I would put in the LW class. There are plenty of LW's in 32/40 and the thread is much smaller than the Ballard.

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oneatatime Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 4049 Location: Rocky Mountains Joined: Oct 30^th, 2011	Re: Cody Ballard VS Stevens 44 1/2 action strength Reply #11 - Jul 1^st, 2025 at 5:46pm	Print Post
	Again, as Marlinguy said the Cody Ballards are highly prized as is (the way they were built at Cody). Why reduce its value by replacing the barrel? The 44 1/2 can have many easily interchangeable barrels and each addition increases the value. It can be tagged "original" Stevens 44 1/2. The CPA 44 1/2 (I have one with 3 barrels - 22RF, 32-40 and 38-50) can handle larger diameter cartridges by design but there are a lot of cartridges up through 38-55 size to put on an original 44 1/2. My factory engraved original has barrels in 219 Donaldson Wasp, 6mm/30-30, 25-35, and 32-20.


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gunlaker Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 2380 Location: lower mainland, B.C. Joined: Dec 13^th, 2010	Re: Cody Ballard VS Stevens 44 1/2 action strength Reply #12 - Jul 2^nd, 2025 at 9:29am	Print Post
	Oh, I also forgot that you were in Canada. In that case I'd send that 44-1/2 to Ron Smith. Chris.


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cdnrokon Full Member Offline Posts: 132 Location: Winnipeg,Manitoba Canada Joined: Feb 27^th, 2016	Re: Cody Ballard VS Stevens 44 1/2 action strength Reply #13 - yesterday at 4:36pm	Print Post
	I posted the Ballard for sale and the search is on for a 44 1/2 or CPA , I know of a Stevens 44 1/2 in 32/40 local to me and I have never seen a CPA up here in Canada other than at the CSI years ago in Bethune Sask and it was owned by a gentleman from Montana.


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