Full disclosure: I removed the block, it's hollow under the barrel shank, so it's cast steel. I will likely just shoot black powder through this one. But that means all my jacketed 75 grain bullets, as well as several boxes of factory Jamison rounds, can't be used. I do have a mould for a 85 grain bullet.
What makes me lean to BP is this gun (and all Ballards) was made before the Smokeless era. In Colt Single Action revolvers (which I also collect) everyone makes a big deal about not shooting smokeless until the guns were verified/proof for it, around 1905. So I shoot BP in several of my older ones. Then there are the damascus barrel shotguns - everyone says shoot BP. I'm well versed in reloading BP, and have pleanty.
What makes me lean to Smokeless or this gun is many experts shoot light smokeless loads in these Ballards, even cast ones. The gunsmith was pretty famous, lifetime achievement award through the Contemporary Long Rifle Association, made the Bicentennial long rifles from scratch, made many Africa guns, etc. He surely knows about a cast action for the .25-20 SS round, yet used one. Also, I wonder what the pressure (not velocity) of a .22 LR really is? Or any of the old rounds Ballard used in these with black powder? Finally, I've seen pressure curves before that show BP is a HIGHER pressure, but a more gentle spike. I'm on the fence.
