A Plug for ASSRA

[Green Frog]

For those of us interested in single shot rifles, especially from the “Golden Age” between the Civil War and World War I, the American Single Shot Rifle Association is worth a look. Not only do we talk about and research these old warriors, but we also compete with them! Even if this all comes as news to you, you’ll still find lots of friends from this forum over there as well.

I was inspired to post this because we will have an ASSRA-sanctioned event here in Central VA this Friday and Saturday. Not only do we shoot “old school” in offhand position, but we have bench matches as well. Events sanctioned by the Association are shot indoors and out at ranges from 50 ft to 200 yards, and with calibers from 22 rim fire up to as big a lead bullet cartridge strikes your fancy.

If this sounds interesting to you, please stop by www.ASSRA.com and check out the forum.

Regards,
Green Frog

[marlinman93]

Best place of all to discuss the early single shot rifles from around WWI or earlier!

[samari46]

Another plug for the ASSRA. Usually on there anytime after 1100 pm and although don't compete just love single shots. Frank

[carbine]

Missed seeing you at the Fort This year, Frog

[Green Frog]

Missed seeing you at the Fort This year, Frog

Missed being at the Fort this year!! I’m trying to decide whether I can afford to buy/build a Ballard for when we get to come out and play again.

Froggie

[gnoahhh]

After lurking and sometimes contributing (well, asking questions) on the ASSRA forum for years, and a lifetime of in-and-out of single shots, I took the plunge a couple weeks ago and sent in a membership application.

I think my focus is going to be on SS's from here on out. Got the .22's covered (for now) with a very accurate Ballard-Stevens, M12 BSA Martini, and Low Wall. Hunting rifles by way of several Ruger #1A's and Modern Low Wall centerfires. Now for a centerfire target/bench gun or three. Wouldn't kick an affordable Ballard or nice used CPA out of bed for eating crackers.

Already attended my first local chapter's match (Columbia Schuetzenverein [sp]) and acquitted myself pretty well with the Ballard- .7" group at 100yds. (my best group) - which got me, like, 4th place. Those boys are tough!

[sharps4590]

Good outfit. I was fortunate enough to have an article on the 8.15 X 46R that I submitted published in their periodical. I figured the cartridge had been beat to death but the editor opined that as new folks come into the hobby all the time the old cartridges needed to be re-visited from time to time.

[ndnchf]

The ASSRA forum is a great resource. I go there frequently and learn something new almost every day. My interest is mostly rolling blocks, especially #2 rifles.

Hey Froggie - you are not far away. I shoot at the Northern Virginia Gun Club in King George.

[shutinlead]

Froggie,
Glad you're spreading the word, and hope the moderators here don't mind. I try to contribute on this forum both monetary and by participating, although the latter challenges me.
I figured out how to conveniently post pictures on the ASSRA and it's become the place I post most frequently. I build a few items on occasion - sights, actions and single shot rifles. My latest focus has been the Ballards - the striker Ballard in particular.
And Froggie, I hope you do spring for a Ballard, a comment I frequently use and believe in... every Ballard you own adds ten years to your life... get one!
Greg

[John Boy]

I totally believe that any folks that lurk or use the ASSRA forum for technical information or to list on the For Sale link ... should pay back by joining ASSRA with a membership. My membership expires Feb 2021. Any posters here are not members?

[uscra112]

Member since 2007. ASSRA Membership also gets you the Journal, an excellent color-glossy dead tree magazine. Latest issue has an abridged article about lubes by Charlie Dell, who was a master experimenter in his day.

[uscra112]

Already attended my first local chapter's match (Columbia Schuetzenverein [sp]) and acquitted myself pretty well with the Ballard- .7" group at 100yds. (my best group) - which got me, like, 4th place. Those boys are tough!

And that's using plain base cast bullets. No gas checks allowed.

[Green Frog]

Froggie,
Glad you're spreading the word, and hope the moderators here don't mind. I try to contribute on this forum both monetary and by participating, although the latter challenges me.
I figured out how to conveniently post pictures on the ASSRA and it's become the place I post most frequently. I build a few items on occasion - sights, actions and single shot rifles. My latest focus has been the Ballards - the striker Ballard in particular.
And Froggie, I hope you do spring for a Ballard, a comment I frequently use and believe in... every Ballard you own adds ten years to your life... get one!
Greg

I spent time today shooting a Ballard in 22 LR. When I put it together several many years ago with parts from all over the country (literally!) I believe I coined the term “Franken-Ballard” to describe its mixed ancestry. I also have a Number 5 Pacific chambered in 40-90. It doesn’t get shot that often. :( In my parts bin I have a receiver and buttstock (also of questionable parentage) for a Brown Mfg Ballard equipped to shoot rim fire or percussion. This is what inspired the idea of building a gun for N-SSA competition at Ft Shenandoah. 8-)

At the rate I’m getting these Ballards finished I’ll have to live to 100 just to finish them all! :mrgreen:

Froggie

[John Boy]

Looking forward to Charlie’s Part Two article on lubes. Great Part One

[marlinman93]

Have a couple Ballard actions sitting here waiting for me to build into rifles. One is actually an early flat top #3 with a heavy .22RF barrel already attached to it, so wont take much to build it. But I keep getting side tracked by other projects, and they sit waiting for me.

[Green Frog]

Marlinman93, my Franken-Ballard has a butt stock that was made as a rough trial piece... rough profiled and intended to be altered and added to with Bondo or whatever to make a suitable design. There is no fore end. The barrel was originally on a position rifle I believe, but is so heavy I’m devoting it to bench use. I’m trying to decide now whether to make a nice blocky fore end then just finish it all off like that, but I want to make sure it shoots OK first. I do know it needs some trigger work... it’s a bear now!

Froggie

[marlinman93]

Charlie, I'm thinking about purchasing a BRC choked .22 barrel in a 1.4"-1.5" diameter, specifically to make this action into a benchrest gun. I've got other Ballard .22 offhand rifles, and have always wanted one with a big heavy barrel.

[shutinlead]

Froggie,
please share what develops, I have another round of photos coming up myself. I'm starting on striker number three with intentions of fitting a double set trigger breech block for it at the same time. I had plans of fitting a second block on this most recent build - but about the time I had the striker fit in I realized the lever was for a single trigger. It fits the close couple triggers I made but won't fit a double set arrangement... to much effort and fitting to change horses at that point, I just let it be. I have a ball and spur lever set up for doubles now so this will go well I think.
MM,
I put a standard diameter rf BRC barrel on a low wall build, seemed to take a little shooting before it started to shine but it's proven itself several times over now. I think you'll like what Al does for you.
Greg

268525268526

[Green Frog]

Greg, one of the very first guns I had built was done for me by an elderly gunsmith known for his love of old single shots. I used a low wall musket receiver I had inherited and had him add a Shilen “premium” 22 barrel in Model 52 Bull profile. The stock was a piece of walnut from the family farm that I sent to CPA to profile in Special Sporter configuration. It’s topped off with an 8x Lyman TargetSpot Jr. The bad news is that I’ve never been able to get it to shoot up to expectations, regardless of ammo (many types) and variations of technique. I’ll probably just finish it off prettily and hang it on the wall. :?

The Franken-Ballard is living up to its name... a lot of mismatched parts that haven’t learned to play together very well. Of course, the barrel is old and was probably shot out before I got it. It was admittedly a crapshoot. ;)

Maybe this Winter I’ll be able to take the time to sort them both out... if that is even possible! [smilie=b:

Froggie