Martini vs. Ballard rimfire actions

4

404tbang

Member
Howdy!
I am looking to learn as much as possible about the pros and cons of Martini and Ballard actions for rimfire rifles. Specifically, I would like to know which action the esteemed shooters on this fine forum would prefer and why in as much detail as possible. I know that once upon a time, some great prone shooters used these actions. I also know that some of y'all lurk around in here.:D Would these type actions have any concievable chance at being competitive in benchrest?

Thank you very much!!
Greg
 
martini and ballard

go either to assra or r/f central. you will never see those rifles shooting in a b/r shoot.

both these places cater to old rifles.

bob
 
CWOP: I wish you would tell Tim Longcore that there aren't any Martini guns shooting B/R. You would be in for a rude awakening. I would bet my 2 40x's he would send you home crying about getting whipped buy a Martini!:D His agg. in Michigan is 2000+ this year.Pretty good for a gun that won't compete.;)Granted this gun is an exception , or is it?:rolleyes:

mww:D
 
Set up correctly will be as competitive as anything. Perhaps a little inconvenient for some. Rests can be set up to accommodate the action.
The 2 piece stock which some say causes a problem can be gotten around with a little ingenuity. As far as triggers go, if the same amount of time was spent on them as the bolt gun it could be very interesting. My own Martini trigger breaks like glass at about 1 lbs. Some had set triggers. Biggest down side is weight issue for some classes, that is a a big chunk of steel in the middle. If You have one and want to use it go for it, its all about haveing a good time and the new friends to be aquired and old ones reconfirmed.
 
martini

he might be a great shot i didnt say that but go to ara and look at rifles and equipment for top shooters there might be one martini. i own 4 martinis like them all but they dont shoot like my other b/r rifles but they are tons of fun to shoot.

i love my martinies

bob
 
CWOP has a habit of flapping his gums about things he knows nothing about. Just check his post history........
 
a couple more details

The Martini that I just got was built by Eric Johnson. The bore looks great! It is built on a small frame Martini action. It has the lever that looks like the one on a model 12/15. But, as I understand it, it IS a model 12. There are some modifications done by Johnson. I haven't got to shoot it yet, and I'm not sure when I will get the time.

The thing is, I may have a chance to trade it, along with money I do not seem to have :eek: to a Johnson built Ballard. I simply do not yet know enough about the pros and cons of each action. That is why I wanted the details. Please, keep them coming!:)

CWOP, I was going to ask you about the Sukalle built Martini that you mentioned in another thread. How does it shoot? That is a classic rifle!
Are the other Martini's customs as well? I love these classic rifles!

Thank you all,
Greg
 
martini sukhalle

well the barrell is huge i posted pictures of it on assra and r/f central. it is built on a 12/15 action which has a very heavy trigger. in looking at the trigger it is a very difficult trigger to get down to b/r weight.

some may have done it and good for them. my mark 5 i just got is around 8 oz and still a difficult trigger to modify and at 8 oz it will fire unexpectantyl if you dont close the action very carefully.

they are just fun rifles to shoot i just modified the mark 5 to accept a leupold 36 scope which helps a lot. they seem to do far better at 25 yards v/s 50 yards for some reasons may be me.

there are virtually no parts available thats a big reason not to tinker too much with the tirgger as you may wind up with a worthless rifle.

good luck

bob
 
pros vs. cons

With the Martini that I have, it has a great Johnson barrel. The Ballard that I have the opportunity to trade to, also built by Johnson, appears to be virtually unfired after having been built.

Both rifles have the same gunsmith, both have excellent barrels, again by the same barrelmaker and gunsmith. The trigger on the Martini is somewhat heavy for benchrest. It is a prone gun. But then again, so is the Ballard. I do not know anything about the triggers on Ballards. I don't know which action would have a faster lock time or better ignition.

The condition on the Ballard is so fine, that, realistically, if I had it, I would be almost paranoid about getting a scratch on it. It would get shot and enjoyed, just with EXTREME care!

The condition on the Martini is, it has been a prone shooting campaign gun. The barrel is newer than the action, has better blueing etc. But the barrel is in really good shape. Frankly, better than I thought it would be when I broke the gun down to clean it. In a sense, it would not necessarily kill my soul if I accidentally got a scratch on it. I would POSSIBLY end up shooting the Martini more than the Ballard when factoring in the paranoia about dinging/scratching the stock.

So, two rifles, by the same legendary barrelmaker/gunsmith, of a similar vintage. Different actions, both desirable in their time, at a time when both were proven. There are a couple of other factors to consider.

When it is all said and done, which action should be the most accurate and why, when other considerations should be similar?

Any and all help is appreciated! Thanks!:)
Greg
 
I have found out that the Ballard is supposedly weaker. But we're talking .22 long rifle. I don't know how much of a difference that would make between the two actions. Once upon a time, the Ballard was highly desired as a foundation for a good target rifle.

The Ballard was stocked by Creighton Audette. It is stunning. It will be a while before I even get the chance to see the Ballard again. Have been finding out a bit more about Martini's, don't seem to be able to find out much about Ballard's.

Again, just hoping some of the prone shooters past and present can advise. The pedigrees of the rifles not being in question, which action is theoretically more accurate?

If you are going to shoot a rifle, shoot the most accurate rifle you can!

Thanks, and happy Father's Day to all!:)
Greg
 
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