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Seriously considering acquiring an antique High Wall in 40-70 Ballard. Question is, reloading for this obsolete cartridge. Bullet molds and reloading dies are available for the 40-70 Ballard, but there is no correct brass. The “Handloader’s Manual Of Cartridge Conversions” has some suggestions, but none that I like. I found an old post from Bert on another forum, that suggests using the .405 Winchester cases, and these seem to have the closest rim diameter to the original 40-70 Ballard, .543 vs. .555. Load data is no problem as there is plenty of info out there on the 40-70 S.S.
Anyone heard of any 40-70 Ballard brass being available out there in cyberspace?
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
Jamison makes it & Midway carries it, except it’s currently out of stock, like about half the stuff in the their reloading section.
.40-63 Ballard is exactly the same case.
Yes, the 40-63 is the same case on the outside but has thicker walls making the capacity a little less (hence the 63 vs. 70 grains of BP), which would be great for reloading with smokeless powder. And yes, Midway lists the Jamison cartridge but that is just sloppy management. Jamison no longer exists and Captech International, who bought them out, does not make the 40-63 or 40-70 Ballard.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
Wincacher said
Jamison no longer exists and Captech International, who bought them out, does not make the 40-63 or 40-70 Ballard.
Unaware of that. What about Bertram’s in Australia?
Surprising if there’s no current source, as there are a LOT of Ballards around in .40-63–I had one until a few yrs ago.
I have 20 case that were custom made by the Ballard Rifle & Cartridge LLC (Cody Wy), and 20 more that were made by DKT Inc. using the 400 Nitro as the parent case. Both work very well in my Model 1885 high-wall in 40-70 Ballard. I agree that 40-63 Ballard cases will work perfectly if you load with smokeless powder (as I do), My pet load is 23-grains of IMR 4198.
I also have an extra (7) original 40-70 WRACO cartridges in addition to a full box (20) original WRACO cartridges.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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