Dave - thanks for the link. Exactly what I need. Any other recommended 'spares' that are good to have at a match? Might as well add to the order if good to have.

A question........... are the forged CF receivers the same external dimensions as the cast #3 receivers?

the cast actions and the forged actions are the same dimensions. They use all the same screws the barrel is the same size and threads Ken

I don't shoot competitively, but have never had any part fail on a Ballard personally. But I take them apart and ensure they're good throughout. Over 125 years, the trigger return spring can get brittle and break, so I've made replacements when they look rusty or ugly. I've also replaced mainsprings that looked suspicious during a rebuild. But once they're checked and ready to go, they've never given me any problems.

In my experience the cast actions are about .015-.020" thinner than the forged steel actions. This could just be the individual ones I have measured. The pistol grip action is slightly different in that it is curved downward on the rear bottom with more metal on the bottom where the stock fits. Pistol grip and straight stocks are not interchangeable.

Thanks to all for the info. 

While I am almost always a pistol-grip kinda guy, I think the straight stock on my #3 Gallery rifle is more appealing to my eye. Hope I can get it finished in time for the .22BPCR Nats at Raton mid-July. Mr. Deadeye Bly won his class in 2014 at the Nats shooting an original Maynard, that was original right down to the bore & rifling. Unfortunately, my barrel has to be lined, but other than that it will be original. Now if I can just shoot it well enough to do some damage.

Do any Ballard #3 Gallery rifles with straight-grip stocks have checkering? 

Also, am I correct in assuming the screw thread & spacing for the tang sight base is the same on the #3 as on all Ballards?

Glenn, I have two straight grip action Ballards with pistol grip stocks made by Dave Crossno. I have ball & spur lever on one and loop lever on the other.

Very nice. Thanks.
However, I'm going to stay with the straight-grip wood for the near-term. At least until I feel it is keeping me from shooting as well as I might. 

Does Dutcher's book have any pic's of checkering on straight-grip wood?

Vall - you should pack up your favorite .22LR Ballard and come down and shoot the .22BPCR nationals at Raton in mid-July. 1-day of practice and then 1-day for scope and 1-day for irons. The you can then shoot as much of the Schuetzen match as you wish.

SSShooter wrote on Jan 27^th, 2016 at 7:11pm:


Yes! John's Ballard book does have pictures of straight grip Ballard checkering. If you don't have his book, drop me a line, and I'll try to copy a picture for you.

Thanks, but that conflicts with a fun shoot I go to in Tonasket, Wa. at my friend's place! Can't miss it, as it's such a great get together of good friends, and shooting/eating!
Hopefully the rains will let up here in Oregon sometime before, and I can get the new Cody Schoyen Ballard in .22LR out, and see how it shoots!