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The logistics of reloading for my Ballard No 2 (Read 97 times)

desertmoon Junior Member Offline Posts: 75 Location: Arizona Joined: Jul 8^th, 2019	The logistics of reloading for my Ballard No 2 Yesterday at 8:12pm	Print Post
	Good Lord! I finally figure out everything I think I need to know about the bore and cases. I get those ordered. ( .32 Colt Long and .313, 80 grain bullets as a starter ) THEN I am trying to find a decent black powder substitute and there is so much conflicting information. I want a light smokeless load ( Like a .45-70 style "Trapdoor Load") but everything screeches at me not to use smokeless in the No.2 or we're all gonna die. OKAY! OKAY! Well, let me try to find a sub. My goodness...I can't get American Pioneer at anywhere that isn't a scam site (nearly got took, twice) and I don't want to use Pyrodex or GoEX unless I have to. ( I actually have some FFFG GoEx...so ) ...and half or more of the other modern subs don't seem to be very viable. Anyhow.....is there some reputable source of info where I can glean some decent loads for 80 and 90 grain heeled bullets? I am so frustrated!!!! Pic of my 3 line, JM Marlin No. 2 (switch hitter) in .32 Long for reference. Bore isn't good. It's CHERRY. For all of my lookin' it does not seem to be a lined bore!!! It's a mirror!!!! Thank you, Gang!


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Green_Frog Frequent Elocutionist Offline "It ain't easy being green" ASSRA Life #281 Posts: 4201 Location: Lynchburg, VA Joined: Apr 18^th, 2004	Re: The logistics of reloading for my Ballard No 2 Reply #1 - yesterday at 8:31pm	Print Post
	Whoever gave you that info about no smokeless loads in a #2 was either smoking crack or blowing smoke up your butt. If your #2 in 32 CF/RF is in sound condition, any standard smokeless 32 Colt load should be fine in it. I don't have my load books in front of me but I plan to load my Ballard 32 Long Colt about like a 32 S&W Long. If I'm missing something I hope someone will pipe up quickly! Froggie


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gnoahhh Frequent Elocutionist Online Posts: 1116 Location: Gaithersburg, MD Joined: Mar 31^st, 2010	Re: The logistics of reloading for my Ballard No 2 Reply #2 - yesterday at 8:56pm	Print Post
	Green_Frog wrote yesterday at 8:31pm: Whoever gave you that info about no smokeless loads in a #2 was either smoking crack or blowing smoke up your butt. If your #2 in 32 CF/RF is in sound condition, any standard smokeless 32 Colt load should be fine in it. I don't have my load books in front of me but I plan to load my Ballard 32 Long Colt about like a 32 S&W Long. If I'm missing something I hope someone will pipe up quickly! Froggie Indeed. I routinely load .32 Colts with 2 grains Bullseye + 85 grain bullet for use in my Stevens 44, a rifle comparable in strength to a cast Ballard IMO. (Froggie, the ones I gave you were 1.8 grains Bullseye.)


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desertmoon Junior Member Offline Posts: 75 Location: Arizona Joined: Jul 8^th, 2019	Re: The logistics of reloading for my Ballard No 2 Reply #3 - yesterday at 10:31pm	Print Post
	That is a load off of my mind! In my searching, I finally found a couple of old threads on here that also confirm what you guys are saying. I have plenty of Bullseye and Unique so I am thinking that a modest charge ( say 2.2 grains of Bullseye for instance ) on a lighter, 80 grain bullet ( just to get my feet wet) would be a good starter. I recently inherited about 200 pounds of #8 lead shot, so casting is also likely in my future. Thanks again for taking a load off of my mind, Gents! Any other info will be GREATLY appreciated!!!


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oneatatime Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 4541 Location: Rocky Mountains Joined: Oct 30^th, 2011	Re: The logistics of reloading for my Ballard No 2 Reply #4 - Today at 1:49am	Print Post
	Let me give you a little breathing room. I have two #2 cast Ballards I use in match shooting. One is in 32 S&W Long and the load with a 125 grain bullet is 6.2 grains of H108 (which is roughly equivalent to AA#9). The other is in 44-40 and the load with a 220 grain bullet is 12.8 grains of SR4759. Note that pistol level loads for any 44-40 are only around 10,000 psi but the increased thrust from the larger case is entirely OK at that level.


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boats Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 7759 Location: Virginia Joined: Apr 23^rd, 2004	Re: The logistics of reloading for my Ballard No 2 Reply #5 - Today at 7:11am	Print Post
	Might want to re think using # 8 shot to cast bullets. Shot is usually hard, harder than cast bullet lead should be. And at current retail price 62.50 per 25lb bag it’s worth a lot as shot. Shotgunner likely to pay you 400 or more for 200# if it’s bagged and in good condition. I’m paying about a dollar per pound for scrapyard lead flashing that cast good single shot bullets. You won’t go wrong with Unique for pistol caliber single shot loads. It is important to check for double charges. I use a drop gage, dowel marked at correct height, and scan the loading block with a small flashlight before seating bullets. Boats


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