other photos

Stunning, thank you for sharing

It seems odd with that style lever and a pistol grip stock. To me might seem like a double pistol grip. Maybe if I were to hold it I may get a better idea of the "feel" Don't take this wrong, I'm not saying anything bad, it's great work and knowing Crossno's reputation I'm sure it shoots very well.

He certainly can do the wood work, but Dave is spending more of his time in the metal work, bluing and case hardening  and he is mentoring two guys in stock work and in gunsmithing.  I believe on this rifle one of his helpers did it with Dave over seeing the work.  The helper was the one that help me select the wood from Dave's huge wood collection.  Dave probably has more different stock patterns hanging on the wall for single shot rifles, than anyone around the country.  He is a great source if your stock is broken and need a replacement wood.  Or if you have a pattern you wish to duplicate, they can do it there.  This pistol grip design on my rifle was a pattern Dave had gotten off another Ballard back a ways.  The butt plate is a light thin brown color recoil pad.  I didn't want for the recoil of course, but for it to stay up in pocket of my shoulder well.  The metal butt plates look great, but tend to slip up and down on your shoulder more.  That was a personal decision on my part.  Dave will put on what you want or if you have one you want put on.  I had the action, I had the barrel and Dave put it together and he did the rest!  I have to add, the action really locks (pops) into place!  Dave is as good is there is in fitting a Ballard action to the barrel as anyone.  It has to do a lot with the linkage in how well the fit works and he really matches up the right parts to make it work well.  He likes using the two piece extractor as well.  I think you can see that in one of the photo fairly well.  Yes, I am a happy camper!

No offense was taken on the talking of the loop lever or S lever with a pistol grip.  And I am wondering which of Crossno's reputations you were referring too, being cantankerous or being a great rifle maker?  Both are true, lol!  Being his friend, I can get away with saying that, lol.  

The S lever was what I had on the action, so that is what we used.  If it had come with the loop lever, we would probably have used that.  Now with that said, I wish you could handle the rifle.  The S lever is perfect to hold with this rifle the way it is shaped.  Most shooters pick it up and put to their shoulder and go, "WOW! that feels great!".  I have put up some good scores with this little beauty!  BTW, I am going to shoot it this Saturday in a .22 BPCR match!

I've purchased several stocks from Dave, and always been very pleased with what he sent. I've also sent him my own wood and had him cut itt to a pattern for me. I've never found Dave anything  but helpful, and pleasant to deal with. Always generous with his time, if I make sure to call at the end of the day!
I just finished a set of Ballard stocks that Dave sent me last year. He had them set aside for his Ballard, but graciously sold them to me for my project.

majorfs45 wrote on Mar 25^th, 2015 at 11:39am:

Wish I could. Will be driving up to Tappan Hill from Wichita, so driving to Stillwater (where I lived from birth thru 2nd grade) for a 1-day match and back to Tappan Hill for the next day's match and then down to Mexia, TX for those matches is more then I would want. Believe the Tappan Hill matches are .22BPCR on Sat and BPCR on Sun, so I can rest for a few days with family (if that is rest ) in Wichita before heading to TX.

Indeed, Dave Crossno puts together some beautiful rifles. Hepburn, 'roller, Ballard........ the ones I've seen from his shop are all very similar to yours in the quality of the finished product.

You bet I do!  No ammo, no fun.  I have been fortunate to locate the .22 ammo when I needed it.  But I do not wait to the last minute to get it either.  I am good for the next two years on match ammo.

Dave has built about a dozen rifles for me; Hepburns, Rollers. and Ballards. Actually I have a #1 1/2 Roller in his shop now for single set trigger installation (after re-lined it and fit a stunning stock set on it) and a complete #2 Roller build under way. This #2 will be the pride of my collection; a pistol grip actioned Remington Custom Shop rifle built to match one shown in the Marcot book. My personal experience is that every one is rifles shows nothing short of impeccable fit, finish, and function. ALL wood, metal/ metal finishing and mechanical work is done in-house. It's great to know that his work is impeccable, I'm dealing with the person who has done all the work. how many gunsmiths can say that they harvest their own wood from a farm in Oklahoma and cut and fit it to the rifles he builds. additionally, I am 100% confident that if ever I should have a problem he is always there to stand behind his work.

What is the contact information for Dave?

Thanks

sakoman wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2015 at 2:24am:


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If you call around 4:30-5:00 cst he'll usually answer the phone and talk. During the day he's busy, and you'll have to leave a message so he can call back.

Gorgeous rifle major, superb wood.

I have a 22lr ballard too that I just had re barreled and re worked, not as pretty as yours but there's just something about a ballard, I love it!

John

majorfs45 wrote on Mar 24^th, 2015 at 2:07pm:


Just gorgeous Major!   The second picture you post really captures how rich that grain looks.  Case coloring is very nice too!    

Mr Crossno is from Arcadia, right?   Good to know another Ballard lovin Okie, and if I'm right about Arcadia, to see the work of another local craftsman.  You brush shoulders with the most interesting people through this interest.   

I like your stock - everything about it!    My grandparents were sharecroppers just north of the OK/Kansas line near Atlanta.  They had some nice Walnut down along the creeks.  Wish I had taken advantage of some of them for furniture of all sorts.    Old famer friend down the road used to turn out some pretting interesting pieces back in the 40s.      

Oh wow! That Rolling Block is stunning too! Can we see more of it? What caliber?