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Best book on the Ballard rifles? (Read 2381 times)

texasmac Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 2062 Location: Central Texas Joined: Aug 16^th, 2004	Best book on the Ballard rifles? Jul 23^rd, 2025 at 8:12pm	Print Post
	I recently purchased a Ballard rifle & was wondering what is the best book to purchase about the rifles? The Guide to the Ballard Breechloader by George Layman comes up in an Internet search. Wayne


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KFW Oldtimer Offline Posts: 588 Location: Powell Wy. Joined: Dec 18^th, 2016	Re: Best book on the Ballard rifles? Reply #1 - Jul 23^rd, 2025 at 8:36pm	Print Post
	Dutcher's book is the No. 1 go to ref. choice.


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rgchristensen Frequent Elocutionist Online Posts: 1157 Joined: Jan 2^nd, 2014	Re: Best book on the Ballard rifles? Reply #2 - Jul 23^rd, 2025 at 8:42pm	Print Post
	KFW wrote on Jul 23^rd, 2025 at 8:36pm: Dutcher's book is the No. 1 go to ref. choice. Agree. CHRIS


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rifleman Senior Forum Member Offline Posts: 310 Joined: Aug 4^th, 2015	Re: Best book on the Ballard rifles? Reply #3 - Jul 23^rd, 2025 at 8:45pm	Print Post
	No question, Dutchers book.


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texasmac Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 2062 Location: Central Texas Joined: Aug 16^th, 2004	Re: Best book on the Ballard rifles? Reply #4 - Jul 23^rd, 2025 at 9:34pm	Print Post
	Thanks guys, At this time I'm not prepard to spend $400, which is the lowest price I've found after searching at least 20 sites. Since this is my 1st Ballard I'll most likely pick up The Guide to the Ballard Breechloader by George Layman. It's listed on many sites for $23 new, & used in good shape for around $13 + shipping. Wayne
	« Last Edit: Jul 23^rd, 2025 at 9:42pm by texasmac »

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marlinguy Frequent Elocutionist Offline Ballards may be weaker, but they sure are neater! Posts: 17117 Location: Oregon Joined: Feb 2^nd, 2009	Re: Best book on the Ballard rifles? Reply #5 - Jul 23^rd, 2025 at 11:34pm	Print Post
	texasmac wrote on Jul 23^rd, 2025 at 9:34pm: Thanks guys, At this time I'm not prepard to spend $400, which is the lowest price I've found after searching at least 20 sites. Since this is my 1st Ballard I'll most likely pick up The Guide to the Ballard Breechloader by George Layman. It's listed on many sites for $23 new, & used in good shape for around $13 + shipping. Wayne Layman's book is pretty poor as it pertains to technical info on Ballard rifles. It wont give you much more than a brief intro and leave you needing much more. I'd hold off and keep watching for a copy of John's wonderful book, or post a WTB in the For Sale section here and see if a copy gets offered at a more reasonable price. Wasn't but about 5 years ago I had a spare copy on my table at the Denver CGCA show at $130 and nobody wanted it. A book seller finally gave me $110 for it.

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texasmac Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 2062 Location: Central Texas Joined: Aug 16^th, 2004	Re: Best book on the Ballard rifles? Reply #6 - Jul 24^th, 2025 at 12:05am	Print Post
	marlinguy wrote on Jul 23^rd, 2025 at 11:34pm: texasmac wrote on Jul 23^rd, 2025 at 9:34pm: Thanks guys, At this time I'm not prepard to spend $400, which is the lowest price I've found after searching at least 20 sites. Since this is my 1st Ballard I'll most likely pick up The Guide to the Ballard Breechloader by George Layman. It's listed on many sites for $23 new, & used in good shape for around $13 + shipping. Wayne Layman's book is pretty poor as it pertains to technical info on Ballard rifles. It wont give you much more than a brief intro and leave you needing much more. I'd hold off and keep watching for a copy of John's wonderful book, or post a WTB in the For Sale section here and see if a copy gets offered at a more reasonable price. Wasn't but about 5 years ago I had a spare copy on my table at the Denver CGCA show at $130 and nobody wanted it. A book seller finally gave me $110 for it. Thanks Marlinguy. That sounds like a good plan. Wayne


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TomKlinger Full Member Offline Posts: 160 Location: Central Florida Joined: Feb 17^th, 2019	Re: Best book on the Ballard rifles? Reply #7 - Jul 24^th, 2025 at 4:59am	Print Post
	Wayne, Any pictures of your Ballard? What are your plans, caliber,etc. Thanks, Tom Klinger


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marlinguy Frequent Elocutionist Offline Ballards may be weaker, but they sure are neater! Posts: 17117 Location: Oregon Joined: Feb 2^nd, 2009	Re: Best book on the Ballard rifles? Reply #8 - Jul 24^th, 2025 at 9:33am	Print Post
	TomKlinger wrote on Jul 24^th, 2025 at 4:59am: Wayne, Any pictures of your Ballard? What are your plans, caliber,etc. Thanks, Tom Klinger Yes, post some info and pictures and we can get you started towards knowing what you've got.

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DWT1885 Senior Forum Member Offline Posts: 436 Location: New Jersey Joined: Nov 25^th, 2010	Re: Best book on the Ballard rifles? Reply #9 - Jul 24^th, 2025 at 9:50am	Print Post
	Wayne, There is one on e-bay now. # 157186535517. It's at about $107.00 but has 6 more days to go. Just a thought. Might get lucky.

	35th Security Police Squadron, Phan Rang AB, RVN, May 70-71. All gave some, some gave all.
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texasmac Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 2062 Location: Central Texas Joined: Aug 16^th, 2004	Re: Best book on the Ballard rifles? Reply #10 - Jul 24^th, 2025 at 10:43am	Print Post
	marlinguy wrote on Jul 24^th, 2025 at 9:33am: TomKlinger wrote on Jul 24^th, 2025 at 4:59am: Wayne, Any pictures of your Ballard? What are your plans, caliber,etc. Thanks, Tom Klinger Yes, post some info and pictures and we can get you started towards knowing what you've got. It's on the way to me now - should have it by Friday. Originally in 38-55, it's been rebored & converted to 40-65, my favorite caliber for BPCR silhouette. The seller says he believes it's a #4. Here's a link to the sellers listing on this forum with photos. I got it for several hundred less than the asking price. (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links) Wayne


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texasmac Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 2062 Location: Central Texas Joined: Aug 16^th, 2004	Re: Best book on the Ballard rifles? Reply #11 - Jul 24^th, 2025 at 10:48am	Print Post
	DWT1885 wrote on Jul 24^th, 2025 at 9:50am: Wayne, There is one on e-bay now. # 157186535517. It's at about $107.00 but has 6 more days to go. Just a thought. Might get lucky. DWT1885, Thanks. It's now on my watch list. Wayne


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marlinguy Frequent Elocutionist Offline Ballards may be weaker, but they sure are neater! Posts: 17117 Location: Oregon Joined: Feb 2^nd, 2009	Re: Best book on the Ballard rifles? Reply #12 - Jul 24^th, 2025 at 11:38am	Print Post
	Yes, that Ballard would be considered a Special Order No. 4 if it had left the factory with the double set triggers. A typical #4 wouldn't have DST, that gorgeous wood with cheek piece, and would have a crescent steel buttplate. That's a gorgeous Ballard done by one of the best singleshot gunsmith we ever had. Any John King rifle is always well worth owning. You did great!

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TomKlinger Full Member Offline Posts: 160 Location: Central Florida Joined: Feb 17^th, 2019	Re: Best book on the Ballard rifles? Reply #13 - Jul 24^th, 2025 at 3:54pm	Print Post
	Wayne, Once you get that purty Ballard and shoot it, you will never look at another Stevens or HighWall the same way again😂👍 probably a Ballard .22in your future too! Tom Klinger
	« Last Edit: Jul 24^th, 2025 at 4:01pm by TomKlinger »

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waterman Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 2889 Location: Behind the Redwood Curtain Joined: Jun 9^th, 2004	Re: Best book on the Ballard rifles? Reply #14 - Jul 24^th, 2025 at 4:00pm	Print Post
	TomKlinger wrote on Jul 24^th, 2025 at 3:54pm: Wayne, Once you get that purty Ballard and shoot it, you will never look at another Stevens the same way again😂👍 probably a Ballard .22in your future too! Tom Klinger Amen!


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