Ross MkIII (bubba'd) ad some spring scenery.

Acquired my first full length barreled MkIII yesterday. The rifle came to me missing its front sight hood, sling swivel, cross bolt, mid band and windage adjuster in the rear sight. The barrel in it is absolutely stunning though, like brand new. Almost all of the metal is in amazing condition except the bolt which someone painted silver. The stock has been sanded though and most trace of its markings are gone. Also someone cut off the back of the butt and installed a rubber recoil pad at some unknown point in the last century (probably in the earlier part of it too by the looks of the aging of the pad).

I am going to be fully restoring this one. I installed a front sight hood, mid band, retainer, and screw, sling swivel and cross bolt, and replaced the rear sight that was missing parts. I also installed an original handguard (for now).

I'm going to be looking for a really nice fancy piece of walnut to rebuild this one with. It will get a complete rust bluing of all components and everything else that is missing will be replaced. I've waited a few years for the right timing when I've had the money to get a good one and this is it. This will be my shooter MkIII. Next is to find an original to 'collect'.

Took it out for some light today while rock hounding with the family down on the wapiti river.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...zvujbgm4-1.jpg

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I plan on stripping the varnish off the stock here in the next day or so and seeing what is lying underneath.

Shot this one last week, and it's scary good. Did a 1.75" 3 shot group at 200m.

Found a nosecap as well now. Sadly the cap needs restoration as well, but any cap is better than no cap.

FP,
Well, I got out to the range today and shot my MkIII at 100 metres. Five shots into a group of 2.5" wide, by 1" high. I am very happy with that, considering my near 60 year old eyes. Will do a little bit of playing with the load, but will not being running anything near max loads. Perhaps that stock you made me is the reason, eh?:super:
Congratulations on the great shooter you have there, that is impressive, considering there are a lot of shooters who can't do that with a modern scoped rifle!

Thanks a ton Bubba. I think it's mostly the rifle. My friend who shoots very well took it right after and shot just as well and it was his time shooting the platform.

Back from school now, missed the plaque by 1%. 92 shop, 94 theory, 97 provincial exam. Over half way done now!

I'm sizing up 150 pieces of Imperial brass for the Ross right now, cleaning and annealing. Then I'm going to load some of my favourite load up for it, and a few experiments including 308" 165gr Amax boat tails just for kicks and because you never know.

I used .308 FMJ in .303 ammo loaded up for a #4 T many years ago and it shot marvelously...a nice tight barrel will help.

Nice score, FP. Sounds like one sweet shooter.

Bubba helped me out with a loaner stock for this one and I managed to find a damaged nose cap for it, good enough for now.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...gwjaje0g-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...c7j1qfay-1.jpg

i will probably have my forum membership revoked for saying this :D .... but... i loved it with the cut down stock.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by flying pig

It will get a complete rust bluing of all components and everything else that is missing will be replaced. I've waited a few years for the right timing when I've had the money to get a good one and this is it.

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I would think long and hard about that. The bluing and finish I see in your photos is exceptionally good for a rifle of that age. Doing anything to that finish would be a big mistake and would dramatically reduce the value, monetary and historical.

Surpmil, problem is that none of the parts added have a good factory finish. This rifle has been modified heavily from its original form. It's a keeper to me as a shooter, not a collectors item. It's collector value was lost long ago. If I'm going to spend big money on a fancy piece of wood it is going to be nicely re finished to look brand new externally as well. The only parts that have good original finish are the barrel and receiver anyway. The mid band is patina bare metal, butt plate is rough, bolt handle is about 50% and nose cap and sight hood are basically bare. My rust blue is actually much darker than the original Ross finish, if I didn't do it all the original finished parts would look out of place. This rifle lost its history long before I came along.

I would be very happy to find a Ross in that condition. Most are much worse. I hope you don't do it! ;)

FP, your rifle to do with as you please.

I however strongly agree with surpmil on rebluing of this rifle.

Especially the barrel and action.

I don`t know what your bolt looks like, but by what I see of the rest it is probably pretty good.

The midband looks quit good to me as well. Original finish is always thin on these and other small parts on Mk III.

You would be way farther ahead in my opinion, to source nice original parts that are close to what you have there or reblue those parts closer to original finish.

You may one day come across another original stock or rifle that has metal that is not so nice, and you will be kicking yourself for rebluing this one.