Ugly Ballard

[shutinlead]

I spent some time this last weekend and color cased the action on this Ballard project. Fairly pleased with the outcome and I'm really hoping nothing changed on it's accuracy (Doubtful) but there's always that possibility. It's not a conventional Ballard for those that are familiar with them, it has an internal striker of my own design rather than an external hammer. The close coupled set triggers are copied from a Winchester low wall design and then modified somewhat to fit in my breech block. The stock configuration is a copy of the Schoyen design which is intended for offhand shooting - this includes a hooked buttplate. (to many folks, this stock design comes across as hideous and ugly - hence the guns nickname- but once you shoulder it you'll understand) I have a palm rest for the fore end in the initial stages but it's nowhere near functional yet. The barrel is a stainless Pac-nor 1:16 twist 22rf cut half round, half octagon, with a wedding band I machined in the transition point. The front sight I made from some round Damascus I came up with - the rear sight is rack and pinion design I made from scraps of Damascus I got from a knife maker. The wood part in my gun builds is my weak point and whether or not this will ever be finished is debatable.
Here's sharing some pictures.

 

[High Noon]

Your one very very talented person! You must complete this beautiful classic rifle even if you get some help on the stock work. My only question is why didn’t you use a chrome moly barrel and rust blue it? Stainless barrels on classic rifles just look out of place to me. Thanks for sharing and keep it going!

High Noon

 

[epc308]

I spent some time this last weekend and color cased the action on this Ballard project. Fairly pleased with the outcome and I'm really hoping nothing changed on it's accuracy (Doubtful) but there's always that possibility. It's not a conventional Ballard for those that are familiar with them, it has an internal striker of my own design rather than an external hammer. The close coupled set triggers are copied from a Winchester low wall design and then modified somewhat to fit in my breech block. The stock configuration is a copy of the Schoyen design which is intended for offhand shooting - this includes a hooked buttplate. (to many folks, this stock design comes across as hideous and ugly - hence the guns nickname- but once you shoulder it you'll understand) I have a palm rest for the fore end in the initial stages but it's nowhere near functional yet. The barrel is a stainless Pac-nor 1:16 twist 22rf cut half round, half octagon, with a wedding band I machined in the transition point. The front sight I made from some round Damascus I came up with - the rear sight is rack and pinion design I made from scraps of Damascus I got from a knife maker. The wood part in my gun builds is my weak point and whether or not this will ever be finished is debatable.
Here's sharing some pictures.View attachment 1183052 View attachment 1183053 View attachment 1183054 View attachment 1183056 View attachment 1183057

Gorgeous colors, super cool sights. Outstanding workmanship!

 

[shutinlead]

I should get the wood finished but I get distracted by the next rifle(s) I have four other castings like this in process and then we're working on the program to machine some from a billet also, each one seems to get a little better so one looks back and says ho-humm... The stainless doesn't fit the classic MO but this rifle will be shot competitively and it WILL suffer substantial bumps and bruises, and contrary to my saying of "It doesn't matter how you shoot but how you look on the line..." doesn't go that far with me anymore. It's more about having fun and getting more folks interested in this discipline. I teach a vintage gunbuilding class at the community college and I'm beginning to see more and more interest, a lot is in the presentation and what they see. I'm hoping this turns into eye candy to many.
Greg

 

[gaintwist]

Your one very very talented person! You must complete this beautiful classic rifle even if you get some help on the stock work. My only question is why didn’t you use a chrome moly barrel and rust blue it? Stainless barrels on classic rifles just look out of place to me. Thanks for sharing and keep it going!

High Noon

Get Green Mtn bbls..they are better than many match grade offerings.

 

[IdahoSharpshooter]

WOW!! I have a couple nice SS rifles, including one of Steve Earle's Wesson #1 Long Range actions used to build a .450-400-3.25, and Shilohs'. Roger Green did the metal work on the #1 LR. Nothing beats a SS with finely figured walnut and rust blued steel.

 

[Papa Charlie]

Nice work, your case hardening job came out perfect from my point of view.

 

[Bill K]

It should look very good and hopefully shoot as well, on those long range bison targets. made of a RF event. Thanks for sharing.

 

[DOGCAPPER]

Ugly single shot rifle is an oxymoron. No such animal exists.

 

[dolek]

I should get the wood finished but I get distracted by the next rifle(s) I have four other castings like this in process and then we're working on the program to machine some from a billet also, each one seems to get a little better so one looks back and says ho-humm... The stainless doesn't fit the classic MO but this rifle will be shot competitively and it WILL suffer substantial bumps and bruises, and contrary to my saying of "It doesn't matter how you shoot but how you look on the line..." doesn't go that far with me anymore. It's more about having fun and getting more folks interested in this discipline. I teach a vintage gunbuilding class at the community college and I'm beginning to see more and more interest, a lot is in the presentation and what they see. I'm hoping this turns into eye candy to many.
Greg

Great looking work...and a big Thank You for passing your knowledge along to others .

 

[longbow]

I should do this to mine...but like the character!
I call this Girl "Gorgeous Ugly"
You'll have A sweetheart when done! Looking real good.....