40-63 Ballard

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craigos
Posts: 194
Joined: Sun Apr 20, 2008 10:10 pm
Location: Issaquah, WA

40-63 Ballard

Post by craigos »

Ok pls dont "shoot" me talking about a Cody Ballard .. have 3 Shilohs and love them but have got a bug recently on Cody Ballards.

Picked one up recently in as new condition, its in 40-63 Ballard (same as 40-70 Ballard). Now its meant to take .403 bullets, cant for the life of me find any .403 bullet mfgs , Lyman makes a mold # 403179 i believe but pouring my own bullets isnt an option. (Yes i know why did you buy it, sorry couldnt help myself was gorgeous and trying to help a family whose father had it out financially). Yes i can rebarrel ;)

So then i thought paper patch ... BACO has some pp 40 cal bullets that allows me to manage the dia.

Anyone here have experience in 40-63?

Thanks
Craig
craigos
Posts: 194
Joined: Sun Apr 20, 2008 10:10 pm
Location: Issaquah, WA

Re: 40-63 Ballard

Post by craigos »

Sorry Lyman is 403149 and here is some cartridge info https://loaddata.com/Cartridge/40-63-an ... llard/3584 (no am not going to shoot it smokeless ... )
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desert deuce
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Joined: Mon Apr 14, 2008 10:51 pm
Location: Rio Rico, Arizona

Re: 40-63 Ballard

Post by desert deuce »

Have you slugged the barrel? If so, what is the groove diameter? If not, why not?
Sometimes you get the chicken, and sometimes you get the feathers!
marlinman93
Posts: 200
Joined: Fri Nov 26, 2004 7:17 pm
Location: Oregon

Re: 40-63 Ballard

Post by marlinman93 »

I don't know what Cody Ballards in .40-63 did for the groove diameter vs. originals, but it should be much larger than yours if yours truly is a .403" groove.
Montana Bullet Works will custom size their bullets to whatever you like, so might contact them once you know your bore/groove size for sure.
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desert deuce
Posts: 3842
Joined: Mon Apr 14, 2008 10:51 pm
Location: Rio Rico, Arizona

Re: 40-63 Ballard

Post by desert deuce »

If he has not slugged the barrel, he does not know what bullet diameter he needs, with certainty.

We have an original J.M. Marlin Ballard Pacific in 40-63 with excellent bore. Very accurate rifle.

We have an Ideal and a Lyman 403169 Mould. It is not the mould we use in our original 40-63 Ballard.

Again, before you can determine what is needed the groove diameter of the barrel should be determined. If it is a Cody Ballard they may have records designating the barrel maker and the groove diameter if you can't bring yourself to drive a soft lead slug through the barrel and measure it.
Sometimes you get the chicken, and sometimes you get the feathers!
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