I recently got started into the ballards by a particular members passion for them. My first, a Ballard #2 sporting rifle in 32 long, not the prettiest rifle but it is functional and accurate. It’s been relined and shot very little since. The Second, a 3F with a nickle plated action and a nice 22 Long Bore. It came with a mid range gallery peep. Also a decent shooter. The third has yet to arrive but seems to be a bit of an oddball. It is another number 3, however it was listed as 25 caliber. Maybe rebored and chambered for 25 Stevens? We will see soon enough. It also was listed as absent firing pin. I really doubt it has been altered to centerfire, but not ruling it out just yet.

#3 Odball

If it was rebored by Stevens it'll be stamped on the barrel like this.

Just wondering if that's the rifle that was sold a while back at R.I.A.? If so it will require extensive barrel work both inside and outside so the caliber is irrelevant due to the fact that it will have to be re-bored or lined anyway. If it's the same rifle I bid on it for a project gun but the cost went too high for me.

Yes it is the one from RIA. I was hoping for an okay bore. However a new barrel isn’t out of the question.

Not painful! There’s always something different about each one. Glad there’s guys like you wanting to teach. I keep saying the next one is going to be a large bore. But I guess I’ll just keep picking up what comes my way.

The customized ones are always a mystery! Sometimes good, sometimes scary.

Rather odd lever configuration and very heavy barrel...





JMH

Coleat4440 wrote on Mar 30^th, 2026 at 6:30am:


You only need one front dovetail if shooting iron sights. All Ballard actions are D&T for tang sight screws. Likely it's got scope base holes for a target scope since it doesn't have a front dovetail.
Is this a two line rollstamp or three line on the left side of the action? Hope it's a two line if it's a .32-40! Not good if it's a three line cast action and a .32-40 chambering.