280 ross
- Thread starter gordonlbyrne
- Start date
Ross M1910 in .280 Ross
I do have one in excellent shape, wood, metal and bore riflings. I intend, when a have a little more time... to develop the exact load for it.
For this project, I have procured .300 H.H virgin brass. I already had 7 mm Hornady HPBT (.284" diam.). And a local machinist/gun buff has been contacted to machine a set of dies for reloading. Being a purist, I insist on loading up cartridges with the correct diam. for the bullet, which is .287". How else can the true capability of this fine rifle and ammunition be reproduced and demonstrated. Apparently, there are three ways of doing this:
1- Have bullets made of the correct size. This is a very costly proposition for a well made bullet that can achieve the speeds of the original loads (near or slightly over 3000 fps); you have to talk to the pros (Hornady, Speer, etc.). The need for a structurally sound projectile eliminates the possibility of casting bullets with lead alloy in my opinion.
2- "Squeeze-down", which is starting from a larger diam. bullet, say the classic 168 gr HPBT (.308") and squeezing it into a die of smaller diam. to achieve the correct .287". That's a 0,021" reduction in diam. It has been tried somewhat unsuccessfully as it was reported that surprisingly, the bullet outer skin, subsequent to the compression and relaxation cycle, separates internally from the lead core and produces an unstable projectile.
3- "Bump-up", which consist of starting from a smaller diam. bullet, say the classic mentioned 7mm (.284") HPBT and squeezing it into a die of larger diam. to achieve the correct .287". That's only a 0,003" increase in diam.. As a diplomed metallurgist, is it the avenue that holds the better promise in my opinion.
To that effect, I have contacted another machinist with CNC lathe and together, we are working on a design of dies to accomplish this (method #3) with the least disturbance to the bullet front ogive, rear boat tail and internal cohesion. We have a neat trick in mind. When this is achieved, guess who will be running off to the rifle range...
I am an enthusiastic military fire arms collector (50 rifle from 1896 design an later). Being a Quebecois, the Ross story and their firearms hold a special place in my heart. I already have the nicest original full military MkIII I have seen yet, a M10 sporter, both in .303 Brit and a Cadet training rifle in .22LR. I can tell you both rifles in .303 are outstandingly accurate. No wonder they were kept as sniper rifles in the Canadian army after the switch to the Lee-Enfield. I am in search of a 1905 Mk II-5*. I missed a nice one recently. I am a patient collector...
I hope this information is useful to you. Drop me a line under gefreiter@hotmail.ca so I keep you address and can contact you if and when I achieve interesting results in my quest for the perfect .280 Ross ammunition.
Regards, Gefreiter.
I do have one in excellent shape, wood, metal and bore riflings. I intend, when a have a little more time... to develop the exact load for it.
For this project, I have procured .300 H.H virgin brass. I already had 7 mm Hornady HPBT (.284" diam.). And a local machinist/gun buff has been contacted to machine a set of dies for reloading. Being a purist, I insist on loading up cartridges with the correct diam. for the bullet, which is .287". How else can the true capability of this fine rifle and ammunition be reproduced and demonstrated. Apparently, there are three ways of doing this:
1- Have bullets made of the correct size. This is a very costly proposition for a well made bullet that can achieve the speeds of the original loads (near or slightly over 3000 fps); you have to talk to the pros (Hornady, Speer, etc.). The need for a structurally sound projectile eliminates the possibility of casting bullets with lead alloy in my opinion.
2- "Squeeze-down", which is starting from a larger diam. bullet, say the classic 168 gr HPBT (.308") and squeezing it into a die of smaller diam. to achieve the correct .287". That's a 0,021" reduction in diam. It has been tried somewhat unsuccessfully as it was reported that surprisingly, the bullet outer skin, subsequent to the compression and relaxation cycle, separates internally from the lead core and produces an unstable projectile.
3- "Bump-up", which consist of starting from a smaller diam. bullet, say the classic mentioned 7mm (.284") HPBT and squeezing it into a die of larger diam. to achieve the correct .287". That's only a 0,003" increase in diam.. As a diplomed metallurgist, is it the avenue that holds the better promise in my opinion.
To that effect, I have contacted another machinist with CNC lathe and together, we are working on a design of dies to accomplish this (method #3) with the least disturbance to the bullet front ogive, rear boat tail and internal cohesion. We have a neat trick in mind. When this is achieved, guess who will be running off to the rifle range...
I am an enthusiastic military fire arms collector (50 rifle from 1896 design an later). Being a Quebecois, the Ross story and their firearms hold a special place in my heart. I already have the nicest original full military MkIII I have seen yet, a M10 sporter, both in .303 Brit and a Cadet training rifle in .22LR. I can tell you both rifles in .303 are outstandingly accurate. No wonder they were kept as sniper rifles in the Canadian army after the switch to the Lee-Enfield. I am in search of a 1905 Mk II-5*. I missed a nice one recently. I am a patient collector...
I hope this information is useful to you. Drop me a line under gefreiter@hotmail.ca so I keep you address and can contact you if and when I achieve interesting results in my quest for the perfect .280 Ross ammunition.
Regards, Gefreiter.
longbranch*
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Victoria,BC.
.280
I've reloaded a bit for my .280 M-10 Ross. I got correct .287 dia. Woodleigh bullets through Tradeex. I run .300 H+H brass through my RCBS dies and trim to correct length. Recently I tried running 7M/M RM and .300 WM brass through dies but shoulder is a little short which causes some headspace issue. Some members have used .375 Ruger brass and sized to .280 successfully, but so far hasnt worked for me yet.
Geoff
I've reloaded a bit for my .280 M-10 Ross. I got correct .287 dia. Woodleigh bullets through Tradeex. I run .300 H+H brass through my RCBS dies and trim to correct length. Recently I tried running 7M/M RM and .300 WM brass through dies but shoulder is a little short which causes some headspace issue. Some members have used .375 Ruger brass and sized to .280 successfully, but so far hasnt worked for me yet.
Geoff
Trade Ex Canada has the correct .287 bullets for the Ross. They are made by Woodleigh in Australia, and are labelled 275 H&H. They have both 160 and 175 grainers.
I have purchased some 160s from Tradex (great guys) but have not tried them yet.
As for brass, that is more difficult. I bought some from Buffalo Arms in Idaho, but they have discontinued shipping brass and bullets out of the U.S. It was reformed from 348 Win, and was very expensive at about $3.50/case.
I have necked back and trimmed 300 H&H brass, as the belt fits inside the Ross chamber. Ken Waters did not recommend the practice as the case directly in front of the belt expands out to chamber diameter, possibly straining the brass and creating a weak point. However I have tried it and it does work.
Possibly Tradex could be persuaded to bring in some brass, as they are stocking the bullets.
I have purchased some 160s from Tradex (great guys) but have not tried them yet.
As for brass, that is more difficult. I bought some from Buffalo Arms in Idaho, but they have discontinued shipping brass and bullets out of the U.S. It was reformed from 348 Win, and was very expensive at about $3.50/case.
I have necked back and trimmed 300 H&H brass, as the belt fits inside the Ross chamber. Ken Waters did not recommend the practice as the case directly in front of the belt expands out to chamber diameter, possibly straining the brass and creating a weak point. However I have tried it and it does work.
Possibly Tradex could be persuaded to bring in some brass, as they are stocking the bullets.
