This is a project that has been in the back of my mind for a few years now, and I decided it was about time I started making some moves to make it happen. I wanted to create this thread to get ongoing feedback, ideas, and any help I need along the way (thanks everyone in advance!). Additionally, I figured it was good to capture a project like this on an uncommon platform incase someone wanted to do something similar in the future.
The Project:
My interest in Ross rifles started when I impulse bought a Ross MkII** civilian target rifle. It is a phenomenal shooter, and soon I found a deep interest in the history and variants of Ross rifles, particularly target models (if you have a MkII** target and want to sell, let me know
). Ross also made a series of more custom rifles known as Match Targets. These were single shot, half-stocked rifles in the .280 Ross cartridge with specialized match ammunition and projectiles. Designed to fire in the 'supine' position, lying on one's back, these had staff vernier sights mounted on the heel of the stock. All of these rifles achieved exceptional feats of accuracy in their day, winning countless matches around the world, most notably repeatedly at Bisley.
Since I could never afford a true Match Target and don't particularly like shooting while lying on my back, I wanted to make a somewhat period correct half-stocked match rifle in a more commonly used cartridge than .280 Ross.
I am currently in talks to acquire a base rifle for the project, I will be using a Ross commercial sporting rifle, not a military model. I want to use something on the 1910 action because of the conventional barrel threads over the models with the 3 tpi quick change barrel, and the 1910 style commercial sporters have a bridge over the rear of the action that can be used to mount sights. I have narrowed it down to either an E-10 or an M-10, leaning towards the M-10 since it has the flush magazine. I will be keeping almost everything on the rifle, just swapping out the barrel and adding a period-correct target sight. Because of this, I am only looking at rifles with shot-out bores.
Calibers:
I have been debating calibers (as we all do with any project). I will be shooting out past 1000 meters, but most shooting will be done between 500 and 800. I want to go rimless, so the bolt will have to be bushed for the smaller rim diameter. The ross M-10 action is more than capable of handling up to a 7mm Rem Mag. That cartridge is very close to the ballistics of the original .280 match load, so if I wanted a very close replica, this is the way I would go. However, I have no interest in shooting 7mm Rem Mag from prone without a brake, so this is out. I would prefer a period cartridge, though I would also use a modern cartridge if it came down to it. Some choices I am considering:
1905-1915 Period: 6.5x55, 7x57, 30-06 Edit: now also 6.5-303
More modern: 270, 7mm/08, 308
Barrels:
The MkII** full stocked civilian target features a 30.5" barrel with a medium military profile and a flat muzzle. The .280 Ross match rifles featured a 30.5" barrel. I have not decided on a barrel profile yet, but I will be firing this off-hand, and unsupported prone (with sling) so it can't be a 15 lb gun at the end, but I won't be carting it through the woods. I would like the barrel to be 27"-30.5" which is correct to the period rifles. Whatever caliber I choose, I will be getting it with a faster twist so I can shoot heavier projectiles.
Undecided things I could use input on:
The gunsmith to do the work - I need bluing done, threading (Shank is 1.125" diameter, 0.732" long, 12 square threads per inch. There is a counterbore, plus an extractor cut on the breech face), a dovetail cut, and rear sight mounting (possibly a mount made).
The manufacturer for the barrel, the barrel profile, muzzle type (flat, 11 degree, etc.), any special throating (have to figure out max OAL).
Last, of course the caliber.
Additionally, I need help to find a period target sight. Some models I have been exhaustingly searching for: M.E. Sutherland (various), Canada Tool & Specialty Co. (various), Peddie Parker, BSA Martin, Pilblad, Lyman 48 150pt (longslide) with the flat base mount, Lyman 50, Parker 9G.
If you've made it this far, thank you! I look forward to this project and will provide pictures as much as I can as I go along.
The Project:
My interest in Ross rifles started when I impulse bought a Ross MkII** civilian target rifle. It is a phenomenal shooter, and soon I found a deep interest in the history and variants of Ross rifles, particularly target models (if you have a MkII** target and want to sell, let me know
). Ross also made a series of more custom rifles known as Match Targets. These were single shot, half-stocked rifles in the .280 Ross cartridge with specialized match ammunition and projectiles. Designed to fire in the 'supine' position, lying on one's back, these had staff vernier sights mounted on the heel of the stock. All of these rifles achieved exceptional feats of accuracy in their day, winning countless matches around the world, most notably repeatedly at Bisley.Since I could never afford a true Match Target and don't particularly like shooting while lying on my back, I wanted to make a somewhat period correct half-stocked match rifle in a more commonly used cartridge than .280 Ross.
I am currently in talks to acquire a base rifle for the project, I will be using a Ross commercial sporting rifle, not a military model. I want to use something on the 1910 action because of the conventional barrel threads over the models with the 3 tpi quick change barrel, and the 1910 style commercial sporters have a bridge over the rear of the action that can be used to mount sights. I have narrowed it down to either an E-10 or an M-10, leaning towards the M-10 since it has the flush magazine. I will be keeping almost everything on the rifle, just swapping out the barrel and adding a period-correct target sight. Because of this, I am only looking at rifles with shot-out bores.
Calibers:
I have been debating calibers (as we all do with any project). I will be shooting out past 1000 meters, but most shooting will be done between 500 and 800. I want to go rimless, so the bolt will have to be bushed for the smaller rim diameter. The ross M-10 action is more than capable of handling up to a 7mm Rem Mag. That cartridge is very close to the ballistics of the original .280 match load, so if I wanted a very close replica, this is the way I would go. However, I have no interest in shooting 7mm Rem Mag from prone without a brake, so this is out. I would prefer a period cartridge, though I would also use a modern cartridge if it came down to it. Some choices I am considering:
1905-1915 Period: 6.5x55, 7x57, 30-06 Edit: now also 6.5-303
More modern: 270, 7mm/08, 308
Barrels:
The MkII** full stocked civilian target features a 30.5" barrel with a medium military profile and a flat muzzle. The .280 Ross match rifles featured a 30.5" barrel. I have not decided on a barrel profile yet, but I will be firing this off-hand, and unsupported prone (with sling) so it can't be a 15 lb gun at the end, but I won't be carting it through the woods. I would like the barrel to be 27"-30.5" which is correct to the period rifles. Whatever caliber I choose, I will be getting it with a faster twist so I can shoot heavier projectiles.
Undecided things I could use input on:
The gunsmith to do the work - I need bluing done, threading (Shank is 1.125" diameter, 0.732" long, 12 square threads per inch. There is a counterbore, plus an extractor cut on the breech face), a dovetail cut, and rear sight mounting (possibly a mount made).
The manufacturer for the barrel, the barrel profile, muzzle type (flat, 11 degree, etc.), any special throating (have to figure out max OAL).
Last, of course the caliber.
Additionally, I need help to find a period target sight. Some models I have been exhaustingly searching for: M.E. Sutherland (various), Canada Tool & Specialty Co. (various), Peddie Parker, BSA Martin, Pilblad, Lyman 48 150pt (longslide) with the flat base mount, Lyman 50, Parker 9G.
If you've made it this far, thank you! I look forward to this project and will provide pictures as much as I can as I go along.
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