I came across this Ballard HiWall in 450/400 and immediately felt the urge to get it. Ballard HiWalls supposedly are so close to the Winchester that parts interchange. When I saw the price, I figured I needed my head examined cause I still want it!
What to do? Thanks.

Just walk away.

It looks like a recently-built rifle; would a vintage Ballard cost this much?

George

George, that's not a Ballard - it's a highwall (Winchester 1885) made by Ballard Rifle of Cody WY. A vintage Ballard can cost a lot less and a lot more depending on model and features and condition. But no vintage Ballard would be a good choice for a 450/400. They are not as strong as a Winchester. Original Winchesters could be made for less but they would not be made better.

Brent

rcasto,

No offense, but it seems pricey for what you get. For just $2K more ($7200) you can get a Merkel .470 NE off gunsamerica.com. For about the same price as that Ballard, you can get a vintage SxS double in one of the defunct calibers, like 500 black powder express.

Here is an antique but shootable 12 bore SxS Westley Richards cartridge rifle for $4950.

Earlier I posted on this rifle being available in .577 3" at 8.5 lbs. IMO I would buy a nice used Ruger #1 and have it rebarreled to your choice of caliber...probably have under 2K invested in that project, or go with the Dakota single shot....probably still save you a couple of grand. These rifles are beautiful, but I think they are way overpriced. I have a gunsmith who uses the Uberti 1885's and when he gets done refinishing them they look better than the Ballards do. Again, just my opinion.

500:
Yes it does seem pricey. I see what you mean with the Merkel, but I have a Searcy in 470NE.
This one kind of caught me. I probably won't spring for it but it's very tempting.

Ballard makes a fine rifle for black powder cartridges but I'm a Shiloh fan having 3 with two on order.

I figured having the Winchester 1885 design for a NE round would be kind of neat.

No .. you don't want that..

If your looking for somthing and you would like to add to your Rifle collection.... and maybe even go Nitro express.. start with this

http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976465845.htm




And rebarrel it to .700 for a single 700 Nitro
express or a 700 Hubel Express

Just my two cent's

I would shop around and try to find a decent double for just a little more, say $6500....I see them around for that from time to time and even a pretty nice one now and then for about $6000...

quote:

Originally posted by MartinPotts:

Good taste cannot be taught.

send that amount to searcy for a downpayment on a double...

a year later, pay the rest

OR!!!

rebarrel a handirifle to 450/400 for about 200 bucks

jeffe

Jeffe:
I have a Searcy in 470 NE. I thought a single shot would be good to have. A handi rifle would just not do!

500:
Agreed!!!

quote:

Originally posted by 500grains:

quote:

Originally posted by MartinPotts:

Good taste cannot be taught.

The chair and/or the rifle.

quote:

Originally posted by NitroX:

The chair and/or the rifle.

I think they were made for each other!!

rcasto: Keep in mind the standard express version is $3750. The version you've posted has engraving, etc. which upped the price. Let us know when yours arrives.

I visited their shop in OKC last year. The Ballard's are sweet, but I didn't play much with their High Walls.

I'd look around a little before I bought this. You can pick up a 450/400 double for a pretty reasonable price if you are patient. I got my hands on a William Evans double in 450/400 3 1/4 Nitro for $3900 less tahn 3 years ago. It's a hammer gun, but you still can't come close to beating that price.

Mac