Ballard rifling versus microgroove. What's the practical difference?

[epijunkie67]

Just what the headline asks. What, if any, is the difference between Ballard rifling and microgroove rifling? Should I care? Should I clean differently?

 

[Brian Williams]

Ballard is a deeper and more likely cut rifling with 2 to 6 grooves, and micro groove is shallower and 8 to 12 grooves. Micro groove works well with hardcast lead or jacketed and the ballard is better with lead. BUT, many folks have used Lead with microgroove and it works fine. YMMV

 

[JNewell]

Agreeing with Brian, I think you'll find a couple of articles on this on the Beartooth Bullets website. Funky bore diameters and oddball twist rates are probably as big a factor for accuracy.

 

[Jacobus Rex]

I've not seen a real difference in practical terms.

However, I think that twist rate is often overlooked. In some guns like AR's it can make a lot of difference.