I have two friends who are looking for load data for this cartridge. One of them is shooting a replica Ballard for target purposes. The other is shooting an old Marlin that he inherited. So the loads must be safe in older firearms. Any suggestions?

Hodgdon's website list a couple of loads. Also the Lyman 47th edition has some.

Mike

You start with the bullet. After the expense of a fine Ballard a equal quality mold and sizing equipment is in order. However I admit that I do not do this but I use the Lyman 375248 plain base from linotype and size them on a Star sizer. Each bullet is weighed before sizing to groove diameter. So the bore should be slugged to determine this.

For a powder I use imr 4759 when smokeless is allowed in the match. I use only about 15.5 grs and put a tuft of kapox on top of the powder. The kapox is weighed also.

I also breech load some of the rifles.

These loads will shoot as well as any rifles. The record score at 200 yards was held by a 38-55 Ballard and Marlin (the real name of the cartridge) for about a hundred years.