Rechambering a Ballard

[John Smith]

I have a Ballard in 40-60 Maynardf.  For some reason I just can't reload right for it.  I would think that it could be rechambered/bored out for 45-70.  Would anyone care to point me towards someone who could do that?  Thanks.

[Mossyrock]

Drop John Taylor, a member here, a line.  He's about the best in the business on relines.

[Otter]

I am NOT a gunsmith so I might be (and probably am) wrong, but could it be rechambered to 40-65? If not, then I would rebarrel it rather than have it reamed and re-rifled. I have several friends with 40-65's and they like them a lot. All I have are 45-70's, but none are Ballards.

[Fox Creek Kid]

DON'T rechamber an original barrel!! You will destroy the collector value!! The problem is probably the rate of twist. Do you know what it is and are you using correct length of bullets accordingly? At the most rebarrel & keep the original barrel for resale & posterity.

[Otter]

Yeah, what Fox Creek Kid said . . . I should have expounded a bit further in my first reply.

If the rifle is an original . . . I would rebarrel it to the chambering desired and retain the original barrel matching the original barrel dimensionss as closely as possible to not have to modify the stock/forend. If the rifle is a "modern" reproduction I would still be inclined to rebarrel rather than rechamber, but doing so would have little (IMHO), if any, repercussions as far as value. My first choice, in either case would be to rebarrel the rifle.

[John Smith]

It is an original, the barrel has been relined, and chambered in 40-60 maynard.  My problem is in loading the brass, my expander plug seems to over expand the neck, and then when I seat the bullet, it's too loose.  Happens with brass made from .303 and 30-40.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I don't have a .40-60, but it seems that it was a popular custom chambering for BPCR/sillouettes at one point. Perhaps the dimensions are a touch irregular?

In .44-40, to avoid working those thin case necks, I did the following;
.  Full length size
.  Using a .430 neck expanding plug in LEE dies, I just inserted it far enough to strart the base of a .427 cast bullet.

Perhaps you can try something similar;
.  FL size so the bullet would receive a good snug hug.
.  Inside neck expand JUST enough to even the neck and allow the bullet to start into the neck.

Alternately;
1.  get a smaller neck expander.  It should neck size just enough to bring it to about 3 'thou under the bullet diameter. Perhaps a LYMAN M-die.
2.  leave the bullets at their as-cast diameter, if the resulting round will chamber.

[rustyrelx]

I have used Ballards for many years and in my humble opinion you have a very good caliber that your rifle is chambered in. I would strongly recommend you not change the chamber. Origional Ballard in .40 cal have a groove size at .410, what is yours? It sounds like you are over expanding the case mouth of the shell.
The steps in correcting your existing issues are:
1. What is groove size?
2. What is twist?
3. Match twist and groove to bullet
4. Get mouth expander to match (-.002) groove size
5. put together dummy round ie dead primer and no powder
6. insert dummy round into chamber and see if it fully seats

After accomplishing all the above then and only then can one look farther at changing things on the rifle. Someone spent some time and  money to get it thus far I wouldn't be one to condemn it so quickly.  
 Don

[rustyrelx]

What model of Ballard is this anyway? Thanks Don

[John Smith]

I don't know a lot about it, I bought it from a friend's estate sale.  I had shot it several times before he died, but never loaded for it.  The barrel is original, the back sight dovetail is filled with a blank.  It is marked "38 Long" on the top flat just in front of the receiver. 

On the left side of the receiver:
Marlin Firearms Company New Haven CT USA
Patened February 9, 1875
Ballard's Patent Nov. 5, 1861

On the bottom of the receiver is a serial number 360XX

The back sight is marked "L Shaver"
The dies ar C_H Tool & Die
and the mold is an RCBS 40-350-CS

[Ranch 13]

You might want to visit with these folks a bit about your rifle www.wyomingarmory.com

[rustyrelx]

You , from your description, have a #2 Ballard. This is a cast actioned rifle, only made in pistol cartridges. Biggest one was 44-40, supposedly. In 40 years, I have never seen one in 44-40 except for a #4, which is a forged frame. I'm an avid Ballard aquirer. In my opinion your pushing the limit at 40-60 Maynard. Use Black powder only if your going to shoot this one. And the lightest bullet you can find. Maybe the projectile that the .41 mag. uses.  Don

[John Smith]

Thank you for the information, only black powder loads have been used in this rifle.  Perhaps I should have it rechambered/bored to 44-40.