Ballard vs Micro Grove rifling. Which is better and more accurate?

Thanks,

Geoff

I think you'd be better off reading other threads on this subject and deciding for yourself. Sometimes it just a matter of personal preference.

I think you'd be better off reading other threads on this subject and deciding for yourself. Sometimes it just a matter of personal preference.


The reason I ask is that I will be hand loading hard cast bullet for this rifle and rummer has it that ballard rifling works a lot better in this application.

BTW, physically how do you tell which is which?

Geoff

The reason I ask is that I will be hand loading hard cast bullet for this rifle and rummer has it that ballard rifling works a lot better in this application.

BTW, physically how do you tell which is which?

Geoff

That's why they are called rumors... LOL... often no basis in fact.

You can easily tell by looking in the muzzle. Micro-groove will have something like 12 to 16 or maybe more lands/grooves, where as 'traditional' rifling is generally 4 to 8 lands/groove.

Anyway - micro-groove rifling definitely needs to be cleaned of all copper to shoot lead, so start with that chore first.

There's a note in the FAQ abiut them.
http://www.beartoothbullets.com/faq/index.htm

Bye
Jack

Just personal opinion for limited experiments...but the ballard (standard type) rifling seems to be LESS "picky" than the micro groove in shooting lead bullets. Can usually find several acceptable loads with Ballard type rifling; miocro-goove barrels can shoot just as well, but the combination isn't as easy to find.

As far as bring able to tell if it is micro-groove, it will say on the side of the barrel.

Not all Micro-Groove barrels are stamped as such. My .35 Remington isn't, and it's a 12 groove.

Bye
Jack