Christmas Ballard 22 Project

[rwnblack]

I have been playing with casehardening for awhile. Here is a link to a thread on this site where we discussed the process.

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1665033-Case-Hardening/page2

 

[GSG1911]

Very nice work. Congrats on giving life back to a real beater.

 

[NorthCoastBigBore]

Nice! Beautiful work as always sir.

I bought a cast Ballard action on the EE last year with the intention of building one in .32 Colt or similar low pressure centerfire. .22 also crossed my mind but I've built a couple .32 Colt and .32 S&W rifles and have a soft spot for 'em. One project at a time though, it's ticking up the list.

 

[stavefalls]

Beautiful work! Thanks for sharing!

 

[jamesharrison]

Well done, sir! You have a wonderful gift.

 

[powderman]

Awesome!

Regards

 

[MarkArma180]

Great Job!! Very cool project. Appreciate you sharing it.

Cheers, Mark

 

[mooncoon]

I am impressed; your abilities and patience considerably surpass mine. I think that for drilling that extractor hole parallel to the bore, I would have made a small end mill, although you would still more or less have to drill a small pilot hole first because of the "dead zone" in the center of the mill

cheers mooncoon

 

[tacfoley]

That series of posts has finished off my already good day with a lot of positive thoughts! It really is a privilege to see a master craftsman at work, and to get a good idea what goes into making a little gun that some might put into the trash pile into something that is worth keeping for the long term. It would be a real privilege to shoot this rifle of yours, but as it is, I can only imagine it.

 

[Green Frog]

Bravo! I saw your post over on the ASSRA site and truly enjoyed seeing the whole story here. Well done indeed.

Froggie

 

[rwnblack]

I put the ballard together even though the stock isn’t fully finished yet but today was decent weather and my last day of holidays. It was great fun to shoot and I think I am going to really enjoy this rifle. A bunch more coats of Tried and True Varnish oil and it will be all finished.

 

[rwnblack]

. A few more pics of the Ballard.

 

[MarkArma180]

Turned out amazing. Great job!! Really enjoyed this thread.

Cheers, Mark

 

[cooter303]

Looks good.

 

[rwnblack]

Took the Ballard to the range this morning. Very nice to shoot. Very crisp trigger but the trigger pull is a bit heavier than I prefer. Seems to shoot pretty well. I was having some trouble focusing in the dim Jan light and the target kept going fussy but still grouped well.

This is 5 shots at 50 yards with peep sights.

 

[cooter303]

shoots good. looking forward to seeing the 32/20 when you get it done.

 

[rwnblack]

That Ballard is definitely on the to be done list after I finish a few projects. Here are pics of a few past projects. I use the same conditions for casehardening conditions I can't explain the differences in colours. Maybe due to the different steel compositions.

View attachment 337391View attachment 337391

 

[NorthCoastBigBore]

Some gorgeous work you do sir! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Steppenwolf]

Beautiful, from junk to jewel.

 

[rwnblack]

I installed a 28" MVA scope tonight, now I can shoot with open sights or scope, it switches very easily. This way I can really find out how accurate this thing can be.