38/55 brass for a Ballard.

[Ironramrod]

A good friend just acquired a Ballard A5 in 38/55 cal. and doesn't know whether to get the short brass or the longer brass for the Ballard (Starline Brass) for best performance with black powder loads. Anyone got some clues? Does anyone have a good performing load for this interesting beauty. Thanks in advance. Best Regards.

IR

[Don McDowell]

I would imagine if it's an original Ballard the long brass will be the proper stuff.

[Ironramrod]

I probably left out an important fact. The rifle is one of the Cody ballards from the days of the mfg in Cody Wy. and the Wyoming Armory indicated the short brass would be better likely Sorry about that. It's had few shots through it, because it is a very good looking rifle. The short brass seemed strange to me, too. Thanks.

IR

[Don McDowell]

The short brass thing is an oddity to be certain. Apparently after Winchester/Olin dropped the 38-55 ammunition in the 50's it was the "long" brass they used. I have a box of factory loads from that era, and the fired brass indeed is the "long" measurement. But when they decided to bring the 38-55 chambering back in the 70's for the commerative runs, they made the decision to just use the short or 30-30 brass length..I suppose for cost savings? My neighbor Doc has one of those Cody Ballards, and it doesn't seem to mind which brass. I think the only time the short brass might become a problem is if a person got off on to the paper patch trail. Greasers shouldn't bother a thing.

[SgtDog0311]

Just measured my fired brass. 2.076. I shoot a 320gr NASA bullet from Bernie at Old West. 13gr of 4759 with .03-.04 of dacron. Also show 13.5gr of same powder being a good load. Now 4759 is no longer stocked but I have 12lbs. Were I out I'd try 5744 and start a grain higher. IMR 4198 would be another good choice. Have not shot any OE in it yet since my BPCR rifles are 40-65 and 38-50. But my 38-50 (also a Cody) mould is 317gr and I shoot 46gr of OE 1 & 1/2 in it with a .060 Walters Wad. Bullet depth and compression would vary however.

[Kurt]

Just melt down some old birthday candles or any wax and very lightly oil the chamber and bore you want to check I just block the bore ahead of the chamber with patches and pour the cast. Wax will shrink on the inside and hold the outside dimensions. Here is a cast of my .44. The contrast of the picture is bad to see but the cast is very good to measure what you want to find out.
   

[Ironramrod]

Thanks guys for all the good tips on this project. Lots of well thought ideas and experiments.

IR

[Nuclearcricket]

I have a 38-55 CPA and yes its chambered for the long brass but I have been shooting standard Winchester brass and it seems to do just fine. I use a Postel bullet from NEI that is around 315 or a little more, the exact weight slips my mind at the moment and about 47 gr of Black. It shoots well with that bullet and I have a 300 gr tapered Hoch mold that does well at the pig line with 45 gr. I have not shot the Hoch bullet much but just dumping powder in and seating the bullet so that it is camed into the rifling, it went 10 for 10 on the pigs, I figure thats a good start.
Sam

[SgtDog0311]

My Cody in 38-55 is a #1 1/2 Hunter with full Octagon #3 Badger Barrel if that helps. I found the chamber to be 2.080

Kurt, only other guy I know that uses the Crayon is my Buddy Bill I was telling you about. Very smart gentleman. Has taught me a lot. Got a smile out of seeing it from you. Shoulda known!

Here is a picture of my pound cast. For the record I would not again risk stretching the lever link; worked well with no ill effects but it was a risk that could (should) be avoided.
   

[SgtDog0311]

IR, My serial number is C74x. If yours were close I'd be surprised to find they chambered differently unless they had a customer special request, which is possible.

I have the original paperwork from Cody. 1-15 twist, .376 groove, .368 bore, 2.080 Chamber length (didn't even realize that was on there).

Hope that helps.