Looking for a Ross...which one to get?

[tiriaq]

Mk. II** rifles were issued, with various sights. Privately purchased rifles were essentially the same rifles, minus issue stampings. I think that units trained and drilled with II*, II***, II**** and II***** rifles, reserving the II** for the ranges. The Ross .280 Match rifles are entirely different, they weren't service. II** rifles were fired in military competitions in Canada and England, both issue and privately owned. The not a service rifle complaint was about fitting a bayonet. The Minister of Militia and Defence stated that the rifle was indeed a service rifle, and that was the end of it. Some II** came equipped with aperture sights, others were retrofitted. The BSA Martin sight on my II** rifle was the original and only sight installed. There is a saying that Sir Charles Ross never made the same rifle twice. A bit of an exaggeration, but there is some truth to it; there are a myriad of variations. You might want to discuss status with the CMP, in case a rifle presents itself. Their matches, their rules. You wouldn't want to spend a lot of money on a rifle then find out it didn't qualify.
A II*** would be fun to take to the matches. Some issue sights (barrel mounted) had only notches, others had an aperture as well - like a M1903. Use the aperture for target shooting. Mk. II rifles were issued with a number of rear sights. There was never a single standard.
Incidentally, II** rifles are tightly chambered. If a cartridge is fired in a Lee Enfield, and then full length sized, it will not chamber in a II** Ross. I had to make a die to reduce the diameter back toward the head.