Hello, everyone. I have a question for those experianced in handloading for older rifles. I will soon be taking possesion of an original No. 3 Ballard. Now these have a cast action, and were mostly chambered in .22 rimfire. A few were made in .22WCF & .22-10 Maynard. We are talking 1880's here. This one has been professionaly re-bored/ re-chambered many many years ago to .25-25 Stevens. Action nice and tight, mint bore. My question is..should I try safe charges of smokeless..or stick with black for safety. I have experiance loading for the old ones using IMR or H4227, and AA 5744, but since this one has a cast action..I am kind of leary using it in it. I have heard good things about the Swiss powders & would probably try FFFG. Not looking forward to the B.P. mess in such a small bore...But I like all my fingers & both eyes also! Thanks guys!
Tim
I hear that Swiss may have too much energy for that old of a gun.. I would stick with Goex and shoot that until someone that knows that rifle can chime in on if it will handle smokeless.
Jeff
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