Author Topic: Ballard rifling vs. Micro-Groove (Read 2317 times)

BradCoPAHunter · « **on:** December 01, 2005, 04:03:50 AM »

Is there any real advantage to one type of rifling over another?
I'm looking at an older .35 Remington, can't remember which type of rifling it has. I plan to use factory loads for hunting purposes. I might get into handloading some time in the future, but it will probably be many years off.
Thanks.

Triple4 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 01, 2005, 06:37:15 AM »

Micro-groove is very good as long as you keep it clean from copper fouling, ballard handles fouling a little better.
Working up loads Micro-groove is very picky, it takes more load development but once you find your load it should shoot as good as you do, Ballard is much more forgiving in load development and it seems the point of impact changes less also during load work up.

If you are planing to go the Hardcast bullet route then Ballard would be the way to go, much easier to get to shoot hardcast.

DennisE · « **Reply #2 on:** December 01, 2005, 11:16:00 AM »

Also Hornady's new high power "LeverEvolution" Hunting ammo in .35 Remington and other calibers is reportedly much more accurate with the Ballard type rifling. Dennis

oso45-70 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 01, 2005, 02:51:59 PM »

Brad.

It makes all the difference in the world which barrel you choose depending on what type shooting you plan to do. The Ballard rifling is the best all around rifling for general hunting and plinking. The micro groove cut is ok for lighter loads with both lead and copper coated, But will not handle the heavier cast bullets as well as the Ballard. I have Marlin rifles in both barrel configerations and use them accordingly. You can't go wrong with either barrel just buy the ammo acording to what you are doing. Good Luck.............Joe........

hogship · « **Reply #4 on:** December 02, 2005, 12:58:47 AM »

If reloading is a consideration, even sometime in the future, I wouldn't consider microgroove.

Microgroove is great in 22s, but it's advantages in centerfire is questionable as far as I'm concerned.

Since I'm a reloader, I'd avoid microgroove if there was a any choice in the matter.

hog

txpete · « **Reply #5 on:** December 02, 2005, 09:31:47 AM »

ditto while some have done well with cast in mg barrels I avoid them.they are a real pia to work up cast loads.
pete

brasschaser · « **Reply #6 on:** January 07, 2006, 10:01:56 AM »

Can you get a new Marlin in .35 Rem with Ballard rifling? Was looking at their website and it looked to me like all their 30/30s and .35Rem only come with MicroGroove.

Mikey · « **Reply #7 on:** January 08, 2006, 02:04:16 AM »

Buncha hooey! Micro-groove barrels will shoot cast bullets just as accurately as jacketted bullets, if ya fire-lap the bores. Get on down to Veral Smith's website for information on fire-lapping your bores or go on over to the Beartooth Bullets website and read first-hand about what can be done with micro-groove barrels and cast bullets. BTW - my micro-groove barrelled Winchester 94 in 444 shoots cast bullets into the same 3/4" hole at 100m all day long. HTH. Mikey.

ihmsa70 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 08, 2006, 04:04:48 AM »

All day? Isn't that pretty hard on your shoulder?

jgalar · « **Reply #9 on:** January 08, 2006, 04:16:38 AM »

I have a 30-30 with microgroove and it shoots great with cast bullets. I don't believe I have ever shot jacketed in the gun. I can shoot it for hours without any leading or loss of accuracy. I just run an oily patch or two down the barrel and put it in the safe when done. I haven't given the barrel a "real" cleaning in years.

crash87 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 08, 2006, 04:22:43 AM »

Mikey is spot on concerning micro groove barrels. I shoot a early production '95, firelapped as per LBT's method. 400gr. LBT lfn water quenched wheel weight alloy, ghost ring peep will keep 5 shot inside of 2.5" at 100yds. Plenty good considering my corrected eyesight. I also shoot a early model 336 CS .35 Rem & a early model 1894 .357 (see a pattern, smooth recievers no obtrusive crossbolts) I have never seen accuracy suffer because of the micro groove. In fact some of the worlds best shooting rifle barrels were micro groove or some variation thereof, they went under the name of Pope as in Harry Pope. The important thing is to make sure there smooth, and that would mean any barrel. If it doesnt shoot you probably have a rough barrel, not just a thing assocciated with Marlin but all gunmakers. Its a shame that the expert gun writers hung this false monicker ,inaccurate, wont shoot cast, etc., etc., on these barrels. Whats even sadder yet is the fact shooters with more knowledge, that would be you and I, believed them without even going out there and seeing for ourselves. Buy whatever you want, the good thing is you really cant go wrong with either, Enjoy. CRASH87

jgalar · « **Reply #11 on:** January 08, 2006, 04:25:38 AM »

I have a 30-30 with microgroove and it shoots great with cast bullets. I don't believe I have ever shot jacketed in the gun. I can shoot it for hours without any leading or loss of accuracy. I just run an oily patch or two down the barrel and put it in the safe when done. I haven't given the barrel a "real" cleaning in years.

crash87 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 08, 2006, 04:26:46 AM »

Mikey is spot on concerning micro groove barrels. I shoot a early production '95, firelapped as per LBT's method. 400gr. LBT lfn water quenched wheel weight alloy, ghost ring peep will keep 5 shot inside of 2.5" at 100yds. Plenty good considering my corrected eyesight. I also shoot a early model 336 CS .35 Rem & a early model 1894 .357 (see a pattern, smooth recievers no obtrusive crossbolts) I have never seen accuracy suffer because of the micro groove. In fact some of the worlds best shooting rifle barrels were micro groove or some variation thereof, they went under the name of Pope as in Harry Pope. The important thing is to make sure there smooth, and that would mean any barrel. If it doesnt shoot you probably have a rough barrel, not just a thing assocciated with Marlin but all gunmakers. Its a shame that the expert gun writers hung this false monicker ,inaccurate, wont shoot cast, etc., etc., on these barrels. Whats even sadder yet is the fact shooters with more knowledge, that would be you and I, believed them without even going out there and seeing for ourselves. Buy whatever you want, the good thing is you really cant go wrong with either, Enjoy. CRASH87

Bubba w/a 45/70 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 13, 2006, 10:20:31 AM »

I have NO problems shooting cast or jacket bullets in my Microgroove 1985SS 45/70. Never have, after I found out that I just needed to clean the barrel between lead and jackets. Switching back and forth just didn't suit this rifle. Accuracy is better than me with either.

VTDW · « **Reply #14 on:** January 21, 2006, 05:52:51 PM »

I am using VTDW's perverted type of ladder test in load development and have not had the chance to get all the data together and study it yet but here are some obvious results of today's trip to the range.

Here is a 4 shot group (on the right) shot this afternoon in a circa 78' .444S w/microgoove barrel. 290 gr. cast bullets. This is 50 yd and the load shows promise.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v354/vtdw1/HPIM0408.jpg

Here is another 4 shot group - That's Right!! Shot out of the same rifle and this load show potential. Same cast bullets and distance.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v354/vtdw1/HPIM0409.jpg

Here is a 4 shot group with the same cast bullets shot from my 444SS w/Ballard rifling and this load shows potential. 50 yd. Burris SpeedDot 135 3MOA.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v354/vtdw1/HPIM0410.jpg