If it had the funny thingie for loading the magazi onthe right side, it would have had 2 bolt-head lugs. That was a Model of 1905, which was made in a bewildering variety of variants. For one of those, you grab anything that has a shootable bore. MANY of them were worn-out in training the troops during the Great War and on taget ranges all across the country. Believe it or not, but, at one time, long-range target-shooting was one of the most popular sports in Canada and the Government made really good ammunition available through clubs at a sane price. BTW, that funny loader-thingie is called a Harris Attachment and it an be used for 'dump-loading' your rifle with loose rounds.
If you talk about the later ones, they have the 7-lug bolt-head, 3 on the right, 4 on the left and nobody really knows how strong they are, just that they are stronger than the 1905.... and it would take 100,000 pounds and come back for more. I don't think anyone has ever successfully completely-unwrapped a late-model action. This is the Mark III or Model of 1910, and it is the rifle which 'failed' so disastrously in the War. Actual PROBLEM with the rifle was an undersized bolt-stop (which was cured at 30 cents a rifle); all the rest of the problems were associated with mud and with British ammunition which had failed Proof..... and THEN been issued to the Canadians! The Canadian ammo, which was absolute top quality, was banged off in British machine-guns beause it gave zero problems.
The true and whole story of the 1910 Ross Rifle is a tale of national shame, dripping with filthy politics and greed. It is only sad that a truly GREAT rifle took the blame for national short-sightedness and very poor politically-motivated decisions. You want the whole story, take a look at my sig line.
On the Mark III or 1910 military rifle, nearly all have been chopped down. Look for a 30.5-inch barrel with a good bore. These are good rifles. How good? Half an inch, iron sights, if you treat them right. There are lots available in the $100-$200 range, barrels chopped back to 24 or 25 inches, and some of these have really decent bores. I have one here with a 10-power target scope and a 25-inch heavy barrel and it shoots really nice.
They are a LOT of fun. Oh, there was an assembly problem with the MarkIII (1910 model) bolt, but that has been dealt with here at length; check the index of threads for Ross and you will find it for sure. I don't know how to do those link thingies, but I CAN make a Ross SHOOT. They are a chunk of OUR history and they are fun and they WILL flatten Bambi (just don't massacre Thumper and I'm happy).
Take care and have fun!
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I guess it's on my list now...
