doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com J. Haugh Ballard Rook Rifle

...that's what I'm calling it anyway. New member joining to show and ask about this custom rifle I will be receiving soon. Made by J.T. Haugh, on a Ballard action. In .25-20 Single Shot, I can't imagine using it for anything but small game, but I love the way it looks in the seller photos.


Of course the first thing I will determine is is the Ballard action a cast or forged type. I hope forged. I already reload for .25-20 SS.
Next is are the sling mount holes made for a standard American sized swivel.
And importantly, what size scope rings will work on it? I want some elegant, lever type quick detachables. I have an old pre-centering Weaver K4 to go on it. What rings do you think would be best? Are the dovetails on custom rifles standarized enough to buy rings now and hope they'll fit? I'm looking at flat-bottom Kimber types...but should probably wait and measure the quarter rib.

Happy to be here.

Welcome to the forum, AZshot.

Lovely rifle.

In Victorian times (and quite a bit later) it would have been regarded as suitable for Roe deer, Blackbuck, Duiker and the like.

If the sling mount holes are non standard you could look for a silent sling with leather thong ends (or just make up a couple of loops with leather laces to fasten your sling strap to).

Parker-Hale used to make hooks with swivels attached but they tend to be noisy and could come unhooked at the wrong moment.

Thanks, I should have mentioned I'm in the USA. So our medium game are Coues Deer, Javelina, and Coyote! I'm in the west, in the state of Arizona.

That’s a really nice rifle. Congratulations on acquiring it. Has very elegant lines. Regarding the question about scope rings, there’s a member of the forum, his forum name is Der Ami (Mike), who seems to know a lot about fitting scope rings. Perhaps he will come along and provide some input. If not, you might try private messaging him. Regarding the sling attachment, when you get it in hand, it will be easy to tell if those standard swivel bases meant for standard American slings for example Uncle Mike’s quick detach (QD) swivels, or they are the larger eyes meant for a leather thong or steel hook like Parabola mentioned. The QD swivels are available in every gun shop in Walmart around the country, and you can easily see if one will fit appropriately. If a QD swivel is incredibly loose, then the holes were meant for a leather thong or steel hook. Just from the picture, I expect they are designed for standard QD swivels. Congratulations again, and let us know how it shoots!

Thanks, will do.

As a huge Ballard fan for the last 45 years I'm tickled to see another fine old Ballard rifle. Even if it turns out to be one of the cast actions the .25-20SS is still a great cartridge, just needs mild loads if it is cast. I can't give you any help with what rings fit until you have it, and can post what type of rail it has, and how scope rings might attach?
It really does have that "rook rifle" look to the build, and certainly whoever put it together had that in mind. A nice old Lyman or Fecker scope in the small game style would look appropriate for a rook style build. I have a Lyman 438 on my Ballard 3f Fine Gallery in .22LR.

Thanks, I always wanted a Ballard, for almost as long. Just never got one. Almost bought an original with an ivory ball in the ring 35 years ago, but we were newlyweds and too poor. I have a Shiloh I got back then, waiting 5 years for it to be built on order. This one popped up cheaply so I grabbed it, I already have a Low Wall Winchester in the caliber. The reason I'm not going for a long external mount scope is because I have 4 of those on other rifles. This one I want lighter and handier. If it happens to be super accurate, I may get a bigger power scope on it later. But for now, just a 4X plinking scope because I plan on carrying this out in the field, it's not going to be a bench only gun (I have several). I'll report when I get it.

You have a treasure as there were few better gunmakers than Jack Haugh. Member BDSteele should be along soon to comment as he was good friends with Jack. Congratulations!

Great little rifle. The Len Brownell rings were popular with custom builders during the time frame that I would guess that rifle was built. I have several sets that I will probably never get around to using. If it turns out to be made for those let me know and I may be able to help out.

Great find,
John

AZshot,
It is difficult to tell from the photo, but it seems that the quarter rib has dovetails or some other provisions for mounting a scope (see the light spots at the front and rear of the rib). If I am correct, I suggest you ask the rifle's builder what type was intended. If I am mistaken, I suggest you make arrangements to have to have your classic K4 mounted in Warne QD rings. If properly mounted, it is pretty hard to be dissatisfied with these rings. As far as the sling swivels are concerned, from the photo it seems American QD swivels should fit, but if not, I have had no trouble opening the bases up to fit. BTW, I don't know that much about fitting scope rings, I'm just old and have seen a few.
Mike