3 Rifle Battery built on Ross actions: What chambers would you pick?

Oldguncrank said:
BOV
I have a range of 22-250 thru 450-400 nitro magnum to 50-120 Sharps and I can’t help but ask why you would want to go to all the trouble, time and expense that are collectively involved to chivvy a Ross into covering the waterfront? No disrespect meant or implied but others have already done what you espouse on different chassis all of which are a delight to carry shot and hunt in their own right. May I (respectfully again) suggest an SDS or an M-10 in .280, and that will “cover the waterfront” for you.
I have found, in an otherwise wasted lifetime, of collecting and shooting, that “specials” tax one in every respect, are essentially worthless to the average person and do not bring anywhere near the satisfaction of experiencing the thrill of of a famous maker.
Not to deter, rather advise.
Withe respect
OGC
Click to expand...

That makes perfect sense everywhere except on gun forums... you are not alone, there are a few others that just refuse to play ball.
 
Ardent said:
Having never built on or even owned a Ross M10, they’re able to house a modern over 62,000psi magnum? Sure the answer very well could be yes I’m just learning something new.
Click to expand...

The 280 Ross cartridge was proofed to 28 tonnes in the Ross M-10 action. From what I've read, that correlates to over 65,000psi. It's written more than once that the M-10 Ross was the strongest action built until the Weatherby Mark 5 was invented. There's even an old report of a guy filling a 280 case with pistol powder in an attempt to blow one up and the action was pretty much still usuable after the event. I know that one has to be weary of 100 year old steel, but from my research and reading, I don't think there is anything to worry about as long as you don't assmeble the bolt the wrong way!
 
Last edited:
Oldguncrank said:
BOV
I have a range of 22-250 thru 450-400 nitro magnum to 50-120 Sharps and I can’t help but ask why you would want to go to all the trouble, time and expense that are collectively involved to chivvy a Ross into covering the waterfront? No disrespect meant or implied but others have already done what you espouse on different chassis all of which are a delight to carry shot and hunt in their own right. May I (respectfully again) suggest an SDS or an M-10 in .280, and that will “cover the waterfront” for you.
I have found, in an otherwise wasted lifetime, of collecting and shooting, that “specials” tax one in every respect, are essentially worthless to the average person and do not bring anywhere near the satisfaction of experiencing the thrill of of a famous maker.
Not to deter, rather advise.
Withe respect
OGC
Click to expand...

No offence taken sir, and I appreciate your input. I understand that there are MANY easier ways to come to the same conclusion. I already have many firearms, that will cover almost anything I would want to do, shooting wise. It's the fact that I think the Ross M-10 is the most interesting action I've ever handled and I love Canadian history. It's just a fun project, for myself. It's only money, you can't take it with you when you're gone.

My only worry is finding a gunsmith willing to re-barrel them.
 
A few guys have mentioned the 220 Swift, which is my favorite varmint round, but the bolt face is essentially a magnum bolt face, so I dont think a swift will work.
 
blueoval56 said:
The 280 Ross cartridge was proofed to 2 tonnes in the Ross M-10 action. From what I've read, that correlates to over 65,000psi. It's written more than once that the M-10 Ross was the strongest action built until the Weatherby Mark 5 was invented. There's even an old report of a guy filling a 280 case with pistol powder in an attempt to blow one up and the action was pretty much still usuable after the event. I know that one has to be weary of 100 year old steel, but from my research and reading, I don't think there is anything to worry about as long as you don't assmeble the bolt the wrong way!
Click to expand...

Should be more like 21 tons no? The .458 Lott (62,400psi) runs every shot at the proof loads of the .280 Ross (47,000psi). While many actions have proved to stand up well beyond their original design intentions (Mauser 98) that’s a big ask and fairly unknown territory in an M10. I understand the history with the .280 and the downright negligent overloads experimented with, but you’d be pathfinding for sure.

What’s the first thing to let go in a Ross that blows up?
 
Ardent said:
Should be more like 21 tons no? The .458 Lott (62,400psi) runs every shot at the proof loads of the .280 Ross (47,000psi). While many actions have proved to stand up well beyond their original design intentions (Mauser 98) that’s a big ask and fairly unknown territory in an M10. I understand the history with the .280 and the downright negligent overloads experimented with, but you’d be pathfinding for sure.

What’s the first thing to let go in a Ross that blows up?
Click to expand...

Sorry, I remembered incorrectly on my first post, they were proved to 28 tonnes for the 280. Wouldn't that equate to 61,600psi?
 
I’d shy away from a round that’s beyond a proof load every shot, mind you I’ve put rounds into Mauser 98s that seem excessive but work safely. I just don’t know the Ross.

What’s the barrel tenon minimum dimension? The 1905 is .900” which is too slim for a .458 Lott or .300 H&H, the M10 may well be larger. I’d be looking for cartridges at the same pressures as the original chamberings. Could always download the Lott but be a strange situation to have a rifle that can accept standard Lott ammunition but not necessarily safely. Be interested to see what you learn and do, good luck in the project, tough action to start with.
 
These old actions present a bit of a conundrum, if you read your "Textbook of Small Arms" from 1909, the highest pressure rounds are the Spanish 7x57, the original Patrone 88 7.9x57, and the Greek 6.5x54, all for what are supposed to be the weakest actions. Even the Austrian 8x50R is loaded to virtually the same pressure as the 30-06. The Germans backed off on the pressure for the M98 quite a bit compared to the M88. Of course the 88 had a reputation for blowing up, true or not I don't know.

The lowest pressure rounds are the 303 and the Danish 8x58R.
 
blueoval56 said:
The 280 Ross cartridge was proofed to 2 tonnes in the Ross M-10 action. From what I've read, that correlates to over 65,000psi. It's written more than once that the M-10 Ross was the strongest action built until the Weatherby Mark 5 was invented. There's even an old report of a guy filling a 280 case with pistol powder in an attempt to blow one up and the action was pretty much still usuable after the event. I know that one has to be weary of 100 year old steel, but from my research and reading, I don't think there is anything to worry about as long as you don't assmeble the bolt the wrong way!
Click to expand...

https://i.imgur.com/FNOG9pv.jpg
 
Last edited:
I have a M10 with a worn out barrel. It keyholes rounds on paper at 25 yds. I have been considering having it re-barrelled. I mentioned it to a gunsmith and was advised that the barrel shank on the Ross is a bit bigger than most. I measured mine at 1.4 inches. My FN Mauser is 1.1 inches.
Re-chambering will be just the beginning of your adventure in the world of Ross rifles. Finding a barrel can be threaded and fitted to the action could add to the fun.
 
My rifle has a 1.3" shank just infront of the action, still pretty big. I have talked to a barrel maker in Alberta and he's willing to make profiles that big.

The barrel tenon is 1.12"x0.75"
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom