OT - Thinking on buying a Ballard

barbarossa · Post by **barbarossa** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 9:50 am

Hi
I m thinking on buying a new Ballard Far West rifle replica by the Ballard Rifle Company and was wondering if anyone has any experience with them.Also am considering a first model Romano Maynard carbine which would you choose.

Post by **Hobie** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 10:05 am

What do you want to do with it?

Romano seems to be quality all the way. Ballard Rifle Company has an excellent reputation. I'm thinking the Ballard, depending on chambering I suppose, has more ballistic potential than the Maynard but let's face it, when you get into these sorts of guns, ballistic potential isn't the first thing in mind.

Ballard

Maynard

SR James · Post by **SR James** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 11:15 am

As a long time black powder cartridge rifle silhouette shooter, I know lots of guys with Ballards. I'm not familiar with that particular model but that doesn't matter as the quality is the same. They are excellent rifles.

barbarossa · Post by **barbarossa** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 12:09 pm

Ya I m kind of leaning toward the Ballard in 45/70 should make a nice deer rifle, though the maynard is cool in its way as well.

Post by **Hobie** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 1:34 pm

Are you going to shoot BP?

marlinman93 · Post by **marlinman93** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 6:49 pm

Whatever yu use it for, the Ballard will be a better choice. It also will hold it's value much better.

Ray Newman · Post by **Ray Newman** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 7:08 pm

I have a 10 year old Ballard #5 Pacific chambered in .45-2.1" (AKA .45-70). Hard to beat a rifle that has a wiping rod for field use & esp. when shooting black powder.

Shoots extremely well w/ GOEX Fg black powder & a 20:1 Paul Jones Creedmoor style bullet -- 1.5 MOA @ 100 yds.

I don't know 'bout the newer Ballards, but mine has a heavy Badger barrel on it.

The triggers, like the originals, are excellent!

I also have a newer #& LR in .40-65 WCF. It also is a fine rifle.

Ballards, while not exactly inexpensive, are fine rifle -- well made, outstanding fit & finish as well as attention to detail.

barbarossa · Post by **barbarossa** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 8:33 pm

Yup I plan on using Bp exculsively.I ve decided to treat myself to a nice once in a life time single shot and I think the Ballard will be it.

Jeff

Ray Newman · Post by **Ray Newman** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 9:17 pm

Barbarossa: I don't think that you'll be dissatisfied w/ a Ballard.

Some of the following you may already know.

Since you want to shoot Black Powder (BP), hereâ€™s a link to an on-line BP reloading manual:
http://www.ssbpcrc.co.uk/Resources/Intr ... oading.pdf

Same document, but in WORD format:
http://www.ssbpcrc.co.uk/Resources/Intr ... oading.doc

Good link for info. on bullet casting:
www.longrangebpcr.com/8Phases.htm

Iâ€™ll also put in a plug for Mike Venturinoâ€™s â€œShooting Buffalo Rifles of the Old West,â€