What kind of rifle is this?
- Thread starter drache
- Start date
Mark III (Model 1910 action) Ross Rifle with Model 1913 Warner & Swayze scope.
Note that the eye-cup is right against the shooter's face. They are hard as rock today!
Five hundred of these were built during the Great War, two batches of 250 each. Likely they were the most accurate sniping rifles out there, despite the facts that the scopes were not capable of gathering a huge amount of light..... and they were not so robust as modern sniping rigs.
Still, for close-in work (under 800 yards) this could do every bit as well as the modern ones.
Note that the eye-cup is right against the shooter's face. They are hard as rock today!
Five hundred of these were built during the Great War, two batches of 250 each. Likely they were the most accurate sniping rifles out there, despite the facts that the scopes were not capable of gathering a huge amount of light..... and they were not so robust as modern sniping rigs.
Still, for close-in work (under 800 yards) this could do every bit as well as the modern ones.
Yes, it is prismatic.
a. So that the optic of the scope can 'see' over the sights that are still fitted, and
b. the sniper can still keep his head low down against the stock.
I've shot one like this and it was VERY comfortable, and, as smellie notes, the eyepieces can still be soft and flexible.
tac
I really wish there were a way available to us to ascertain the absolute accuracy of a rifle.
My best Ross has shot bullets-touching groups at 100 yards almost every time it has been shot seriously. That's with the factory iron sights. The ammo is nothing special: a Sierra 180 Pro-Hunter backed by 35 grains of IMR-4895; it gets about 2335 ft/sec from that long barrel, but the rifle likes it. Recoil is mild. Seating, BTW, is to the length of a standard Ball round: 3.05".
My thinking is that a good Ross, with ammunition it likes, well could be the single most accurate rifle ever adopted as a military standard.
"Spray and pray" it definitely is NOT.
That is one super-impressive rifle, TWINCAMHARLEY. Thanks very much for showing.
My best Ross has shot bullets-touching groups at 100 yards almost every time it has been shot seriously. That's with the factory iron sights. The ammo is nothing special: a Sierra 180 Pro-Hunter backed by 35 grains of IMR-4895; it gets about 2335 ft/sec from that long barrel, but the rifle likes it. Recoil is mild. Seating, BTW, is to the length of a standard Ball round: 3.05".
My thinking is that a good Ross, with ammunition it likes, well could be the single most accurate rifle ever adopted as a military standard.
"Spray and pray" it definitely is NOT.
That is one super-impressive rifle, TWINCAMHARLEY. Thanks very much for showing.
Some Ross research #### … 
1915 M10 Ross MkIII* Sniper Rifle Serial #223http://www.milsurps.com/content.php?r=413-1915-M10-Ross-MkIII*-Sniper-Rifle
c/w Model 1913 Warner & Swasey Telescopic Musket Sights Serial # 18
Weight 2 lbs 3.3 oz. .... 5.2x power scope with 1 1/2" eye relief
c/w Leather Carrying Case (Mfg in 1915 by M.J. Wilson & Sons - Ottawa)
Regards,
Doug
1915 M10 Ross MkIII* Sniper Rifle Serial #223http://www.milsurps.com/content.php?r=413-1915-M10-Ross-MkIII*-Sniper-Rifle
c/w Model 1913 Warner & Swasey Telescopic Musket Sights Serial # 18
Weight 2 lbs 3.3 oz. .... 5.2x power scope with 1 1/2" eye relief
c/w Leather Carrying Case (Mfg in 1915 by M.J. Wilson & Sons - Ottawa)
Regards,
Doug
Period photos show these snipers in 2 distinct variants, full-wood and half-stock. When you see sharpshooter unit photos, entire units are equipped with one configuration or the other.
All seem to have the American Warner and Swasey scopes, also used on the M1903 snipers.
Cool rifles
All seem to have the American Warner and Swasey scopes, also used on the M1903 snipers.
Cool rifles
- Location
- Beaverlodge, Alberta
Can anyone blow up and sharpen the picture CSI style and see the serial number on this rifle? Is that even possible? Would sure be neat!
It appears, by the larger of the two dials, that this thing was calibrated out to 2400 yards. Any one have any info on how far this sight was actually capable of making an aimed shot, or is it just there so the snipers could participate in volley fire?
If you are ever in Winnipeg when the 90th Rifles Museum at the Minto Armories is open. Do your self a favor and check it out.
There is a fantastic example of a Ross MK III sniper with a Warner Swasey scope on it, as well as lots of other great stuff.
This rifle came directly from the front. It was presented to General Lipsett by Sgt. Sniper Frank Iriam after the sniper Pte. Phil McDonald was killed.
There are 42 notches carved in the stock on that one.
There is a fantastic example of a Ross MK III sniper with a Warner Swasey scope on it, as well as lots of other great stuff.
This rifle came directly from the front. It was presented to General Lipsett by Sgt. Sniper Frank Iriam after the sniper Pte. Phil McDonald was killed.
There are 42 notches carved in the stock on that one.
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As I've often discussed with Smellie my rifle eats the exact same ammo and will also shoot sub MOA pretty much every time I shoot it.
Last summer I shot Smellie's Ross at the wolverine range. The target was the 300m 12" steel gong. Just for kicks I fed Smellie's Ross a different pet load that i loaded for my own Ross. It drilled that gong with authority again and again to the point that it was boring!! I think I went 10 for 10, which was great cause I'd never fired his Ross before. I'll have to admit that his Ross felt exactly like mine!!
I agree that the Ross may be the best sniper rifle made.
