Rifle · Not SAAMI standardized · Not standardizedObsolete
.38-50 Ballard Everlasting
Ballard single-shot target cartridge with thick-walled Everlasting brass.
- Caliber
- 0.376″ · 9.55 mm
- Introduced
- 1882
- Case
- Rimmed
- Primary use
- target
- Status
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Introduced
- 1882
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Ballard / Marlin
- Manufacturer
- Ballard / Marlin
- Standard
- Not SAAMI standardized · Not standardized
- SAAMI
- Not SAAMI standardized
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Status
- Obsolete
- Availability
- Antique
- Case capacity
- 50 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:16
- Primer
- Large Rifle
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 18,000 CUP, SAAMI crusher
- Eff. range
- 200 yd
- Max range
- 3600 yd
- Recoil
- 7–11 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .38-50 Ballard Everlasting — an obsolete/collector cartridge.
Performance
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
Wikipedia · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 9.55 | 0.376 | ~ |
| Neck ⌀ | 10.03 | 0.395 | ~ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 10.79 | 0.425 | ~ |
| Rim ⌀ | 12.75 | 0.502 | ~ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.51 | 0.059 | |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 50.80 | 2.000 | ~ |
| Overall length | 69.09 | 2.720 | |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .38-50 Ballard Everlasting is highlighted below.
Factory loads
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Lineage
History
Another Ballard company target cartridge, designed with an everlasting case for repeated reloading in the precision target shooting tradition. Used in Ballard single-shot rifles for long-range black powder target competition. The everlasting case design pioneered by Ballard influenced modern brass reloading practices.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .38-50 Ballard Everlasting use?
- .38-50 Ballard Everlasting typically uses a 1:16 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .38-50 Ballard Everlasting?
- .38-50 Ballard Everlasting uses a 0.376″ (9.55 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .38-50 Ballard Everlasting still in production?
- .38-50 Ballard Everlasting is obsolete; typical availability is antique.
- What is .38-50 Ballard Everlasting used for?
- .38-50 Ballard Everlasting is primarily used for target.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 3 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
