1905 Ross buldging brass

[browningautorifle]

there farther off then the 303 brit round.

So, you're measuring the live round or the fired round? How far off? Doing a chamber cast would help us...

[Cosine26]

In the 1967 Handloader's Digest There is a Wildcat called the .303 Epps improved developed by Ellwood Epps on the .303 British case. It was recommended for actions later than the No 1 MIII* and later actions. It had some good ballistics. Looks similar to this one and would work in a Ross MKII 3* or later M1905 actions.
FWIW

[CINDERS]

See pic for Epps dimensions from a reloading & accurizing book I have ~ The Accurate Lee Enfield No.1 (S.M.L.Es) & No.4 rifles By Stephen Redgwell Gun Plumber Press 2001

[bagograss]

Thanks for that info. I'm going to try to load a picture of the demenstions of a fired case up here later tonight.

[Cosine26]

I have seen those ballistics data, but did not publish them, as I find it difficult to believe that one could attain 300 H&H velocities in a .303 case without operating at PROOF pressures +. These data were published using old DuPont powders of the 1960's which may not the same that is available today.
JMHO

[browningautorifle]

old DuPont powders of the 1960's which may not be the same that is available today

That's a fact...

[bagograss]

So here is the ross I have and this is the dimensions im getting from the fired brass. the markings on the barrel in the pics are all that I can find on it seems a lot of sanding has been done to this rifle.

[maxim]

From another source: These dimensions are not quite to what your diagram shows.

.303 Epps case:

Length 2.16"
head diameter .455"
rim diameter .540"
neck diameter .339"
neck length .278"
shoulder length .081"
shoulder diameter .447"
length head to shoulder 1.88"
shoulder angle 42.87 degrees

Surprised Midway has dies from RCBS in .303 Epps. Perhaps RCBS can show the dimensions of the die.

303 British Improved (Epps) - 9768 - MidwayUSA

Reamer rentals show .303 Epps reamers.... who would guess....

303 Caliber

[bagograss]

That does seem vary close just the shoulder diameter is so far off. I just tried sizing with my 303 brit dies and only going part way in so not sizing the whole case. I loaded them with some cast 100gr and trail boss they seem to chamber nice and not stretch out I haven't had to trim in 3 loads so far.

[bacarnal]

I fired my Ross M1905 for the first time today at a friends range and was coming to the board with that exact happenstance. I used HXP-76 ammo and, as can be seen, there are no pressure signs. The rifle is U.S. marked and I received it from a gentleman who found it in a wall of a house he and his grandfather tore down over 40 years ago and he's had it ever since. Being in Kentucky, I assume it came from the Ohio camp. By the way, other than the butt plate being rusty and slightly pitted, the rifle was in excellent condition and the bore bright and shiny and the rifle still in original condition, not being sporterized. The bore gauges at .310 in the grooves, and using my TE gauge, it is a 1. She fired well and accurate at 100 yards, impacting six inches high when holding at the bottom of the target using the sights down and grouping well. My friend and I were puzzled by the fire forming of the brass. He had some .280 Ross on hand and the casing didn't meet the specs. I don't know what to make of it. Any thoughts?