Author Topic: Ballard (Read 765 times)

marlinman93 · « **on:** August 28, 2005, 05:49:58 PM »

Got a new addition to the single shots. Picked up a very nice Ballard #2 Hunter this weekend. It's chambered in .44 Ballard Extra Long, and has a 30" full octagon barrel. The bore looks like new, and the wood and metal are almost as good! It's a very early 5xxx serial number, with the horn inlay in the forearm, and it should date to about 1876 or so.
The .44XL wa a rare one, as Marlin figured out quickly that people wanted the more powerful, and popular .44-40, so they dropped it from the catalogs in just a couple years. I'm guessing this gun stayed so clean because they couldn't get factory ammo, or cases for it.
I'll have to make up brass from .30-40 Krag brass, shortened to 1.9" and sized. The .44XL is a .439" bore, so my old .446" mold for the Sharps will need to be put to use, and bullets sized down for this caliber. Should be a fun project, and hopefully a super fun shooter!

dodd3 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 23, 2005, 01:19:05 AM »

that sure is a nice lookin rifle marlin man there is something about the old guns they have real style a friend of mine did up a rugr no 3 with a one inch by 30 inch octagon barrel and new for end and straight grip forend with crescent but plate in fancy walnut in 45/70 it was a real nice rifle. shot like a dream to.
bernie

dodd3 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 23, 2005, 01:23:39 AM »

sorry marlinman that should have said and new but stock with crescent but plate.
bernie

marlinman93 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 24, 2005, 09:55:31 AM »

Thanks Bernie! I've grown pretty fond of this gun already! The minty bore shoots great, and at 50 yds. it's printing one ragged hole groups with ten shots!
I ended up making cases from .444 Marlin brass, by trimming it down to 2", and turning the ouside of the case from rim to about 1/2" up the side, to make it more of a full rimmed case, instead of the semi rimmed case of the .444 Marlin. They work perfect.
Your friend's Ruger sounds pretty nice. I've always wished that Ruger would see fit to put a heavy full octagon barrel on their #1, as it's a great action, that would look even better with that configuration!

dodd3 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 24, 2005, 03:11:51 PM »

yep the ruger number three was a hoot to shoot then on day he sold it with out giving me first option i was p----- lol .have you seen a uberty high wall up close they look nice in the pics of them ,one in 45/70 would be nice.
bernie

marlinman93 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 24, 2005, 07:08:25 PM »

Yes, I have looked closely at the Uberti High Walls. Before finding my original High Wall, I looked closely at the Uberti, Cimarron, and Taylor's Hi Walls. I thought all three were very nice guns. The only thing I did notice was case colors. The method they all use is not true casehardening, so it has more of a faded case color look. It's still nice, but not quite like the original Win. colors. But they are reasonably priced, and I'd be happy with any of them.

dodd3 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 24, 2005, 07:47:30 PM »

thanks marlinman bin thinking of getting instead of a pedersoli billy dixon they cost $2290 over here and the uberty hiwall is around $1350 thats a lot of money saved .
bernie

marlinman93 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 25, 2005, 03:52:55 PM »

The Pedersolis are very good guns, but I agree that the difference in price would be best used for other accessories, or saved for another gun!