1882

[Skidawg]

Shot an 1882 Colt today, I was looking for some baloon head cases, not to reload, but to have as an example of "what used to be used". Does anybody know where I can find a few for historical value?

 

[Dave T]

Years ago (1980s) I found a box of NOS balloon head 45 Colt cases at a gun show. I duplicated the original loads and chronographed them to see what was true and what wasn't. The results were quite interesting.

In this day and age I guess the first place people would look is the internet. Try that if you like but I would start going to every gun show you can find in your area and check out the tables that don't have modern plastic stuff. You might get lucky and stumble across some balloon head cases. Good luck,

Dave

 

[.38 Special]

The only newly-made balloon head brass I am aware of is made by Magtech, in several different shotgun gauges. For everything else, I believe the only option is to scour the auction sites for collector's items.