I'm actually been calling this a Rook Rifle, it just looks like that is what Jack Haugh was trying to make as an American version.  I bought this a week ago, waiting for it to arrive. I'm going to put a Weaver K4 on it most likely.  I want a small, svelt scope on this one, not a long external adjustable type like some of my other rifles.  Always wanted a Ballard, since the 1980s when I was getting the ASSRA magazine, ready the "More Single shots" books, etc.  Finally got one. 

It's in .25-20 SS, and looks like it would make a dandy field small game rifle.  I look forward to receiving it and checking it out closely. 

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

Saw your post at the Doubleguns forum also. This is a very classic style build on the Ballard.

Lovely! But that rifle is crying out for a good Lyman Alaskan! I ran one on an '03 for a while. I really did like that simple, tough, little optic. And the 1" objective just looks right on a slim rifle.

ThAts funny, I was going to suggest a Weaver straight tube. Maybe even a 3/4 tube scope.

Good point about the Alaskans being a 7/8" tube/rings.  I'd prefer 1", I've got enough ancient optics in my other hobbies, and obsolete components in this one.  An older scope with 1" rings is what I'll be using.  I just want a smaller, older one from the 40s or 50s, which is what this style rifle looks like to me.  

I have other rifles with smaller diameter scopes.  Most are pretty horrible compared to a 1".

If you want small, no bell,  I recommend 2 1/2 power from several makers, ones mentioned above and Leupolds no longer made straight tube 2 1/2 power scopes.

Having said that my favorite small scope is a Unertl 3x small game. It’s shorter and simpler than the more powerful models, no parallax adjustment on the objective lens. External adjustments same as other larger Unertl scopes. Mines on a Marlin 39a 1952 production, that also mounts a Lyman 1A. Very good set up for a light game rifle.

Boats

Well I found out this action is cast steel, not forged. 

I will likely just shoot black powder through this one. But that means all my jacketed 75 grain bullets, as well as several boxes of factory Jamison rounds, can't be used. I do have a mould for a 85 grain bullet.
What makes me lean to BP is this gun (and all Ballards) was made before the Smokeless era. In Colt Single Action revolvers (which I also collect) everyone makes a big deal about not shooting smokeless until the guns were verified/proof for it, around 1905. So I shoot BP in several of my older ones. Then there are the damascus barrel shotguns - everyone says shoot BP. I'm well versed in reloading BP, and have pleanty.

What makes me lean to Smokeless or this gun is many experts shoot light smokeless loads in these Ballards, even cast ones. The gunsmith was pretty famous, lifetime achievement award through the Contemporary Long Rifle Association, made the Bicentennial long rifles from scratch, made many Africa guns, etc. He surely knows about a cast action for the .25-20 SS round, yet used one. Also, I wonder what the pressure (not velocity) of a .22 LR really is? Or any of the old rounds Ballard used in these with black powder? Finally, I've seen pressure curves before that show BP is a HIGHER pressure, but a more gentle spike. 

I'm on the fence.  What do you think?

I was guessing yours was a cast action when I saw the breech block was for a cast Ballard. The firing pin screw being low on the block is always a block from a cast action. But other than the firing pin location all Ballard blocks are made from the same steel, so not an issue.
I've been shooting Ballard rifles for almost 50 years using mostly smokeless powders. I use powders that not only operate at pressures equal too or lower than BP, but also have very good pressure curves on my ballistic program. With proper loads there's no issue shooting smokeless powders. But cast actions wont handle some smokeless loads that forged actions easily handle. And I don't shoot any jacketed bullets, even in some I've rebarreled with modern steel barrels. I prefer cast bullets through all my Ballard or other single shot rifles.
On the topic of .22LR chamber pressures, they run around 10,000-12,000 psi. Even some of the modern .22LR ammo isn't an issue with a cast Ballard action.
The Ballard cast actions were chambered in .22L, .32 Long, .38 Long, .44 Long, and .44-40. I've seen one in .22WCF also, and that was an extremely rare chambering. The .44-40 was dropped early on and eventually so was everything except the .22L, .32 Long and .38 Long. I think this was just precautionary on Marlin's part as I have shot a cast #2 .44-40 for many years without an issue, and the large case should be the most stress on a cast action. But my loads are down around 850 fps, and low pressure loads. I also have a gorgeous #2 Ballard that came to me chambered in .32-40 on the original barrel. I shoot it breech seated with 170 gr. cast bullets at light levels, and it's also been shot for decades without issue. Have another in .32-20, and owned two others before in .32-20. Again with cast bullets at around 1000 fps. and no issues.
The key is caution, and the right powders and load levels.

Thanks Vall and all.  I've been gathering 25-20 SS load data for a few years, but much of it give velocity, not pressure ratings.  I'm extrapolating.   

I think these two would be low pressure, with supplies I have?

Powder gr - bullet

1680      8.5 -      86 lead

4227      8.5      69 lead gc

Otherwise, I'm going to have to go with FFF Black Powder, same bullets.  I don't mind cleaning the bore of BP....

OK, I'll drop it down for that powder in this gun to 8.0.  Thanks!

I use 1680 in fixed jacketed 22 Hornet loads but it needs to be pushed fast (2200 fps).  I tried breech seating with lead bullets in the 1400 fps range in a 25 Hornet and it was terrible.

The scope and rings are very appropriate for the style of build. I like it a lot!

I would encourage you to not temp fate with those 1680 fps rounds in a cast #3 action. This gun is too pretty to chance it.

AZshot wrote on Oct 7^th, 2025 at 5:18pm:


Or much lighter smokeless loads that operate at pressures under 20,000 psi.

I do think the colors are great.  No telling who did it, maybe even Jack himself.  But he probably built this rifle in the 1950s-1970s so a lot more did case colors back then. 

I've cast some 86 grain lead bullets from my vintage nickel Ideal reloading tool and mold.  Ready to size them (they're about .002 too big), lube with SPG, and drop some powder.  Going to try 2F and 3F.