450Bushmaster.net

It seems that all the published loads for my .32-40 use powders like H4227, H110, Lil'Gun, Trail Boss in small amounts, all mid range powders. Got a copy of Quickload and was thinking with powders like Superformance, Win 780 couldn't I load a full case and still keep the pressure down to 20,000 to 34,000 psi? QL says yes, if i load 36.8 grains of 780 and push a 170 grain bullet it says i get 33,972 psi. Please anyone want to tell me if this is completely wrong thinking or am i on to something? If so why haven't the reload books figured this out? Sense my gun is darn near 130 years old I'm not about to go experimenting with out really good info. Interested in opinions.

Don't you know that even the Superformance Powders are a passing fad!

What kind of a Ballard? I have a Pacific #5 in 45-90.

When using Quickload to estimate the results of very slow for the cartridge powders, be sure to check the "amount of powder burnt" on the Quickload screen. If it's not over 80% you're not likely to have a very consistent load. Also, remember that Quickload is only an estimating tool that is dependent on the data thats been entered for any given cartridge. The farther from the norms for the cartridge in question, the less reliable the program will be, as there will typically not have been much, if any, relevant data entered.
BD

It's a Union Hill #8.


Thanks BD1 that %80 burn rate is good information to know, so in order to get to that i have to go all the way up to BL-c2 and 32.8 grains for %82.36 burn rate. Currently i don't trust me or Quickload enough to try any loads without second and third opinions.

rohk-

I poked around in my basement archives a bit looking for information on reloading the 32-40. I found some loads, and learned a couple of things. I suspect you already are aware of them, but I'll put them here just in case a novice Ballard owner finds this thread.

A really helpful book is Handloading by William C. Davis, published by the NRA. Some of the articles included are a graduate course in handloading. The section on the 32-40 included some information specific to loading the Ballard and Stevens: Here's a quote:

• As with some other blackpowder cartridges that existed during the transition to smokeless powder, the .32-40 was for some time produced in a special "high velocity" smokeless load, developing substantailly more chamber pressure than the blackpowder load. Such loads were intended for use only in the stronger guns, such as the Winchester 1894, Marlin 1893, Savage 1899, Winchester Single-Shot, and Stevens 44-1/2. They should not be used in the weaker blackpowder guns such as the Ballard or Stevens Model 44 single-shots. The normal working pressure for .32-40 ammunition when it was last loaded by U.S. factories was about 30,000 c.u.p. That is undoubtedly satisfactory for the stronger actions mentioned above, but for the old Ballards and similar actions, it would be inadvisable to exceed the ballistics of blackpowder loads.

I suspect the blackpowder pressures did not exceed about 20,000 c.u.p. Using QuickLoad to find low pressure loads could be a useful exercise. The book lists four loads running about 1100-1400 fps with 165-175 grain bullet with Unique, 2400, and 4227 that they recommend for the Ballard and Stevens.

Some of the older Lyman handbooks, (Number 43 and earlier) list cast bullet loads that are likely suitable for the Ballard.

You might ask your question in a forum over at assra.com.

Be careful!

--Bob

You might also try the Cast Boolits forum, (that is the correct spelling of the forum name). There are a fair number of guys shooting the older cartridges there. I think if you search .32-40 ballard you'll turn up some loads.
BD

Thanks for all the help,guys.