The Ross Rifle as a sporter

John Y Cannuck

John Y Cannuck

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To start, having worked on at least four Ross rifles so far, I quite agree, that it is not suited as a military rifle.
However, as a sporter, it's a new ball game. Ross rifles are accurate, fast (for a bolt gun :rolleyes: ) very strong, and have no real issues that they would face in battle. They are heavy, and as issued have loooong barrels, but there are Bubbas to be found with shorter tubes.
There are the bolt in your face issues, For the 1910 (also known as the MkIII) but if the Ross you have has a rivet in the bolt, those issues have been dealt with.

Comments? :D
 
I was given a former military Ross M-10 'sporter' as a teenager and shot my first deer and numerous others with it. Only problem was it only had one sling swivel and it was like carrying an anchor around in the bush after a while.

That said, I've been fortunate enough to handle a couple of Ross factory sporters in 280 and 303 and boy were they nice. Light and slim.
 
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Ross sporting rifles - as opposed to sported Mk.III service rifles, have slender barrels and stocks, and are anything but heavy. The Mk.II** and Mk.III rifles had the medium countour 30 1/2" barrel so are a bit awkward. This is one of the reasons that they often shoot so well. If a Mk.III is sported, and the barrel shortened, it is still relatively heavy. While the contours are not identical, 1905 and 1910 sporters use slender barrels similar to the Mk.IIs (other than**). A 1905R at hand is .571" at the muzzle, and .800" just 1 1/2 inches in front of the receiver ring. The most common barrel length for factory sporters is 26", although some are longer or shorter. Ross sporter stocks have little extra wood. It is remarkable how slender the forends are. At any rate, Rosses are fine sporting rifles. The rivetted bolt is a WWII alteration, and is not commonly seen on sporters. If a person is going to use a 1910 Ross, it is important to be able to identify a properly assembled bolt. By the same token, assembling a bolt incorrectly does take a bit of effort. I've tried, and have not been able to get the bolt into the rifle.
 
I've been playing with Ross rifles for some time Salty. They are interesting.

Tiriaq, I have also attempted to insert a bolt that was (purposely) improperly assembled, on an un-riveted Ross. One assembly I tried would need a very large hammer to get closed, if possible at all. The other improper assembly I tried, would not close, because the extractor slot in the bolt head was on the wrong side.
I suppose if you removed the extractor it might close, but I'd rather the projectile was the bullet, not the bolt.

A properly assembled Ross MkIII bolt, has the bolt head under considerable spring tension, when pulled out about 3/4" and turned prior to assembly to the receiver. The bolt should easily slide home, and by watching from the rear, you can see the bolt head turn to the locked position on closing.
If you don't clearly understand the Ross bolt, leave it to someone who does.
 
Since relocating to Ontario, I have received invitations to hunt at three established deer camps. Plan on using one of my Ross sporters, either a 10E or '05R. 1905s were intended for the 215gr bullets. These bullets are not seen very often anymore. Modest velocity, good weight, lots of exposed lead.
 
I took a sported Mk 111, complete with red dot out last year as my dogging gun. Barrel had been cropped to 20 inches or so, making it manageable in tight bush. I must say I had little expectation about the rifle, but I was pleasantly surprised... They can sure spit out lead when needed - the guys in the neighbouring camp asked who was shooting a semi! They were very surprised to find out it was an old 303, made in Canada to boot.
 
215gn .303 Bullets

tiriaq said:
Since relocating to Ontario, I have received invitations to hunt at three established deer camps. Plan on using one of my Ross sporters, either a 10E or '05R. 1905s were intended for the 215gr bullets. These bullets are not seen very often anymore. Modest velocity, good weight, lots of exposed lead.
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If you are after .303 215gn bullets Woodleigh Bullet co. of Australia makes a 215gn Weldcore(bonded core) RNSN that is quite suitable.
There is also a Canadian custom bullet co. who makes 215 grainers for the 303 although the name slips my mind.
Both are excellent and should suit the Ross if it was barrelled to shoot the old 215gn FMJ RN Mk.II ammo military ammo that preceeded the 174gn FMJ Spitzer loaded Mk.VII used from WW1 onward.
 
I've always been somewhat interested int he .280 Ross, since it was almost a 7RM unbelted etc..

But I have never seen a Ross rifle or handled one, that I can remmber, they are not common here, AFAIK.
 
Canadian 215gn .303 bullets

Why not? said:
Kombi,

If you can remember the name of the Canadian bullet maker who produces 215 bullets, there are a whack of guys over here who would appreciate finding out. :)

Ted
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I think Steve Redgewell of www.303british.com knew of a guy.
Apart from that Bulletsmith here on CGN has his own bullet making company and you may be able to order some from him.
He can custom make whatever you need; light or heavy jacket, bonded or non-bonded core.
 
Steve makes a 200 gr bullet, but not 215s.

I have spoken on the phone with Richard one time about this, but he is extremely busy making other bullets that he can sell many thousands of for long range varmint and target shooting.

Still we can hope, eh? ;)

Ted
 
Why not? said:
Steve makes a 200 gr bullet, but not 215s.

I have spoken on the phone with Richard one time about this, but he is extremely busy making other bullets that he can sell many thousands of for long range varmint and target shooting.

Still we can hope, eh? ;)

Ted
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Mmmm, all I can suggest is to make it worth his while.
Find a heap of guys who seriously want these projectiles and order at least 200 each; 500 would be better.
Then it gives Richard a reason to tool up.
Otherwise it's a lot of hassle for a small amount.
That way, if any poor sucker like John asks about getting some 215gns for his 303 you can say "I've got some I'll sell you" and you can order some more when people run out of the surplus.
I'm fairly sure that those out there with Martini Enfields would be quite quick to jump on the band wagon as they were the true beastie that used the Mk.II ammo.;)
Either that or buy some Woodleighs.:)
Not cheap but great stuff! :D

P.S. Is Steve's 200gn an RN or a Spitzer???
Any heavier bullet would probably help if you can't get a 215 grainer.
 
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Gatehouse said:
I've always been somewhat interested int he .280 Ross, since it was almost a 7RM unbelted etc..

But I have never seen a Ross rifle or handled one, that I can remmber, they are not common here, AFAIK.
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Last time I was in Anchorage, they had a cased 280 Ross with the extra sights etc, for $900 US at Great Northern Guns (wonderful store). I'm still kicking myself for not buying it. - dan
 
kombi1976 said:
P.S. Is Steve's 200gn an RN or a Spitzer???
Click to expand...

It is a spitzer, and he has put a lot of research into the design, including two diameters, .312 and .314 if I remember correctly. The larger daimeter bullet for those bores that are really oversize. I have some of each.

I just now went to his website http://www.303british.com to check the diameters and he has no mention at all of his bullets, and a note that he is not taking emails at this time.

That is strange. Hope it doesn't mean he has stopped producing them, or worse, that he is very ill. :(

Ted
 
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Richard Graves at Alberta Wildcat Custom Bullets will try his hand at just about anything. I can't remember if he has a .303 die, but the cost is minimal, so if enough people ask, he will likely get one.
 
According to my last price sheet Richard does not produce bullets for the .303, but who knows maybe he is planning to. Contact him at 780-352-8592 or check out his website and e-mail him.

I have used his bullets in 4 calbers........they are good.....and CANADIAN!
 
My dad has a nice older sportrized Ross but his is chambered in the .280 Ross and not the .303 so we have never actually shot it becasue we don't have any ammo! Anybody have a clue where a guy could pick up brass for something like that. We have never really given it much thought but this got me thinking.............

McRae555
 
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