Found my "holy grail"!

[marlinman93]

Took my Winnie 1885 in .30-30 out for a test run this weekend, and while at a friend's place I was presented with a Ballard that a mutual friend wanted to sell. I was a bit interested, as I am by any Ballard, but more so with this one due to the original midrange sights, and double set triggers. Then the real clincher came out....a box of .32-20 Western ammo!
Now I like the .32-20, and the ammo was neat, but when the guy told me the .32-20 ammo was for the Ballard I almost fainted! I've only read in old catalogs, etc. that Ballard #2 Hunters were offered in .32-20, but never, ever seen one, or knew of anyone else who had. Sure enough, I opened the action and dropped a .32-20 right into the chamber!
We spent the next few minutes tossing lead downrange until eventually I had to ask if it was for sale. The owner told me that was why he brought it; that our mutual friend had told him I might be interested!
So, after long ago giving up on ever seeing one, I'm now the proud owner of a matching numbers Ballard #2 in .32-20WCF, with DST, and some nice sights. Even has the correct centerfire only firing pin, as a .32-20 should have! Not a pristine gun, but I wouldn't have cared if it was a rusty hulk. It's far from that, and shoots great, so I'm pretty darn happy overall!

[C. Cash]

Good going Val! Beautiful piece of history there in one of the funnest calibers. Congratulations!

[salvo]

That is quite the Ballard, congratulations!
Now what is the next holy grail

[kimwcook]

I'm happy for you. It's not everyday someone comes across a real prize.

[SmokeEater2]

That's a beauty! Congratulations on Your find, I'm glad You found one after searching so long.

[airedaleman]

Congratulations! I think you recently mentioned hoping to find one, but not ever really expecting to. I think this one found you!

Enjoy!

Mike

[Bruce]

Very nice and quite the proud owner I see. Now, I have a very stupid question. I have always been around a lot of firearms, old and new. But to my knowledge, I have never seen an old single shot center fire rifle (1885, Ballard or anything) at any of our shops or gun shows. I am in Florida and have always wondered about that. Why?? All of the old photos I have seen show only DB shotguns and long barreled ones at that. If anyone is into those old shotguns, we have racks of them around here. I know Florida was (and is) thick country and have wondered if that was the deciding factor.

Again - nice find!

[marlinman93]

Very nice and quite the proud owner I see. Now, I have a very stupid question. I have always been around a lot of firearms, old and new. But to my knowledge, I have never seen an old single shot center fire rifle (1885, Ballard or anything) at any of our shops or gun shows. I am in Florida and have always wondered about that. Why?? All of the old photos I have seen show only DB shotguns and long barreled ones at that. If anyone is into those old shotguns, we have racks of them around here. I know Florida was (and is) thick country and have wondered if that was the deciding factor.

Again - nice find!

I think you may have answered your own question Bruce. The singleshot was more suited to open western country, and often even if purchased back East, they migrated out West with travelers. They aren't extremely common anywhere these days, but it hasn't been all that many years ago when I found them much easier than today.
As Mike mentioned, this one really found me, and not long after I figured I'd never find it!
By the way, the Win. 1885 in .30-30 really shot extremely well with almost any ammo I tried, but was overshadowed by this purchase unfortunately! The Hi Wall will be my deer rifle this fall for Oregon Mulies!

[6pt-sika]

Very very nice

I am kinda fond of the 32-20 myself !

By the way what ammunition are you trying in the 30-30 1885 ?

[Brian in FL]

Congratulations on finding your holy grail. It's a beauty.

I took delivery today of one of my holy grails, a Savage 340 in .30-30. It's a real beauty, and I got it for only $250. After searching for one for years, this one just fell into my lap. It just happens that way sometimes.

[Bear 45/70]

Congratulations on finding your holy grail. It's a beauty.

I took delivery today of one of my holy grails, a Savage 340 in .30-30. It's a real beauty, and I got it for only $250. After searching for one for years, this one just fell into my lap. It just happens that way sometimes.

I have a 340. Paid $60 for it because the 222 chamber was screwed up. Rechambered it to 223 and it shoots better than I can.

[71fan]

Congrats Vall!

That sounds like just the ticket for a bit of squirrel population control. What fun...

I am starting to warm up the the 32-20, having previously had no interest. I would have a tough time passing up a nice shooter SS like you found.

Good luck with the 1885 this fall. I'm still sifting through everything trying to figure out my deer slayer(s). I have a Utah mulie tag and will do CA as well. I think my 45-70 roller may be going to Utah.

[marlinman93]

Very very nice

I am kinda fond of the 32-20 myself !

By the way what ammunition are you trying in the 30-30 1885 ?

Everything I shot in the 1885 was my home grown ammo. Mostly 150 gr. cast lead .311" with 3031 powder. I had a bunch loaded up from my old .30-30 barreled Contender that I knew was lighter at around 1800-1900 fps.
But I also shoit some factory Rem. 150 yellow/green box stuff. Pretty amazing how the Winnie seemed to just shoot well with all of it, but best results were with the cast load around 1800fps.

[AJMD429]

[rafter-7]

nice going Vall, I am happy for you.

^
7

[2ndovc]

FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC!!!!

I love the .32-20 and have a diying need for one in a classy single shot!!

That's a beauty!! Congrats on such a rare find!! I know it has a good home!!

jb

[6pt-sika]

Very very nice

I am kinda fond of the 32-20 myself !

By the way what ammunition are you trying in the 30-30 1885 ?

Everything I shot in the 1885 was my home grown ammo. Mostly 150 gr. cast lead .311" with 3031 powder. I had a bunch loaded up from my old .30-30 barreled Contender that I knew was lighter at around 1800-1900 fps.
But I also shoit some factory Rem. 150 yellow/green box stuff. Pretty amazing how the Winnie seemed to just shoot well with all of it, but best results were with the cast load around 1800fps.

When I get home in late june let me know I can send you some of the Ranch Dog 311-165's to try if you like !

That bullet with 21 or 22 grains of XMP5744 has shot well in just about all of my lever 30-30's . Oh yeah for best results I us the CCI200 primer .

[Chuck 100 yd]

Lucky !!

[JReed]

SWEET!!!!! A friend of mine has a Stevens Favorite in 32-20 and it is a joy to shoot I keep looking for one like it but keep coming up empty handed. Congrats on a great find.

[6pt-sika]

SWEET!!!!! A friend of mine has a Stevens Favorite in 32-20 and it is a joy to shoot I keep looking for one like it but keep coming up empty handed. Congrats on a great find.

A "Favourite" would be great !

But I still have thoughts of one day getting a nice Stevens 44 1/2 in 32-40

[Sixgun]

Oh man, I'm jealous now. (no--happy for you!) As many old Ballards etc. I see, I too have never seen one in 32-20. I did see a Lo-Wall in 32-20 out in Colorado last year but the bore was a sewer pipe.

Great, thanks Vall, Now I'm on a quest for a 32-20 SS. Oh BTW, Can I have it? -------Sixgun

[JReed]

Let me amend that not a favorite but a 44 I have been looking at a Favorite for the kids it must be on my brain. I just found a Stevens 44 on GB http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... =129184096 of course I dont have that sort of cash.

[95fan]

Very nice, congrats on your new addition

[rjohns94]

most Beautiful!!!

[marlinman93]

Let me amend that not a favorite but a 44 I have been looking at a Favorite for the kids it must be on my brain. I just found a Stevens 44 on GB http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... =129184096 of course I dont have that sort of cash.

JR,
That's way too high for a Stevens 44 in .32-20! I see them for much less in similar condition. Heck, I gave less than that starting price for my factory engraved 44 Stevens in .32-20!

[Ysabel Kid]

Excellent!!! Congratulations on a great find!!!

[6pt-sika]

Let me amend that not a favorite but a 44 I have been looking at a Favorite for the kids it must be on my brain. I just found a Stevens 44 on GB http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... =129184096 of course I dont have that sort of cash.

JR,
That's way too high for a Stevens 44 in .32-20! I see them for much less in similar condition. Heck, I gave less than that starting price for my factory engraved 44 Stevens in .32-20!

Alright now this just ain't kind !

There I thought you were a friend and you go and post one like this making me want one even more

[Jaguarundi]

+1

[KirkD]

What a find! That old 32-20 rifle has a lot of stories to tell, I'm sure.

[dr walker]

Congratulations on a great find.

[Noah Zark]

Congratulations! That's a superb find of a scarce classic.

Noah

[Pathfinder09]

B E A U T Y !! Wonderful piece. Another weapon I wish could talk, and tell us the road it has traveled to get to you. I'm sure it is quite a story.

Congrats!

[marlinman93]

The seller told me he's owned this gun for almost 45 years! Wasn't a family heirloom, as he bought it from a friend back in the 1960's. Said he wanted to sell it, as he has nobody to pass it on to, but wanted it to "have a good home". I told him it would be amongst "friends" and not sit in the safe and just get looked at occasionally! He actually called me Sunday evening and wanted to know if I was still happy with my purchase! That's the first time that's ever happened to me after a gun purchase!
I'm going to be busy reloading ever piece of .32-20 brass I own for the next week, and shoot the heck out of the old girl!

[JReed]

Let me amend that not a favorite but a 44 I have been looking at a Favorite for the kids it must be on my brain. I just found a Stevens 44 on GB http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... =129184096 of course I dont have that sort of cash.

JR,
That's way too high for a Stevens 44 in .32-20! I see them for much less in similar condition. Heck, I gave less than that starting price for my factory engraved 44 Stevens in .32-20!

Alright now this just ain't kind !

There I thought you were a friend and you go and post one like this making me want one even more

Yes a most unkind thing to do MM. . When I get in the market for another gun I will give you a yell to see if there are any in your area for a decent price.

[madman4570]

What a gun!!