How strong are Ballards when using smokeless? I'm not trying to magnumize anything, but I have been offered several from a late friend's estate and was considering one or two of them. The calibers I believe are .38-55, .40-60, & .40-63 Ballard. I don't know whether they are Ballard or Marlin manufacture and my plan was to use unique or 4227 to duplicate bp velocities and pressures.

I forget who on this forum has the Tag Line ref Ballard's"

'Ballard's may be weaker but they sure are neater..!"

I doubt you could go wrong with any of the 'Forged Action Ballard's'

I am fortunate to have one Ballard, It's a "Cast" action in 32 rimfire.
Eventually to be re chambered in a mild center fire cartridge that can be obtained over the counter for the grandson.  

I'd really enjoy owning a Forged Ballard...   

 
1Hawkeye wrote on May 16^th, 2026 at 5:12pm:

You will always be safe with .22 rimfire. But we already knew that.  I spent several years building a few hundred of those actions, and saw a lot of restoration and a few warranty jobs come through. Forged actions will take a lot, forever it seems, up to a point. Above that point, sooner or later, cracks will appear at the 2 corners of the breech blocks and the linkage gets sloppy, the block eventually won't stay up. Modern steel just move moves the curve a little higher up the pressure. I have seen a modern steel (8620) action ruined beyond repair in 1/2 a box of  1886 Winchester loads. 
I have seen a few develop those little corner cracks in large (45-90+) calibers with compressed loads of fine grained black powder and 550gr+ bullets (probably over bore sized). All those loading techniques will raise pressure and were not common in the original 1880's loadings. 
I think the schuetzen boys have proved you can shoot a long time, maybe til doomsday with smokeless in a good Ballard. But there is not the forgiveness of a highwall there, don't make an "oops", be very sensible and you will most likely be fine.

RJ, that's marlinman.

oneatatime wrote Today at 5:29pm:


Thank You!