Question about headspace for 1905 Ross rifle

[oldpaul]

The 1905 has a very fast barrel thread so cutting it back one thread would result in an unsafe amount of metal in the chamber area. Approximately where the front cartridge is in the picture. It has been done, but unsafe in my view. And as Jim said, good luck finding someone who can replicate the thread. I for one would love to see pictures. Tom

[M94/14]

If yours is a "True" 1905 Sporter, and an "E" model at that, then you could likely get the barrel set back one turn without a horrendous amount of work. The "E" model Sporter used the same barrel thread as the 1905 MkII** Target rifle, and was very different from the usual left hand 3 t.p.i. that all the other 1905's used.

[beastybaconman]

Well luckily I don't think I need to worry. I took it out and held the gun at arms length wearing a heavy welding glove, just to be safe, and took a shot. The case looked fine so I shouldered it and took a couple more shots. There was about 0.030" of expansion around the case mouth, about 0.020" just behind the shoulder, and the shoulder itself straightened out a bit, but there wasn't any bulging or white rings near the base. And I've heard that .303 brit cases usually change quite a bit when fired anyway because of the loose tolerance chambers of WWI guns. So I think she's good to go, but is there anything else I should keep an eye out for when I shoot in the future? Also I'm not really sure exactly what model my gun is, I just call it a sporter because it had a factory 3/8" dovetail semi buckhorn kind of rear sight instead of the ladder sight, so is there anywhere I could look to try and identify the model?

[browningautorifle]

I took it out and held the gun at arms length

That's not really a safe check of headspace...

[Ax.303]

Also I'm not really sure exactly what model my gun is, I just call it a sporter because it had a factory 3/8" dovetail semi buckhorn kind of rear sight instead of the ladder sight, so is there anywhere I could look to try and identify the model?

The Ross Rifle Story would have pics or you could show us some pictures and we will help you identify it.

Sounds like you may have a 1905-R Sporter.

Are there any markings in front of the receiver, over the chamber?

Any numbers in front of the receiver, just above the stock line?

---------- Post added at 08:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:48 PM ----------

If yours is a "True" 1905 Sporter, and an "E" model at that, then you could likely get the barrel set back one turn without a horrendous amount of work. The "E" model Sporter used the same barrel thread as the 1905 MkII** Target rifle, and was very different from the usual left hand 3 t.p.i. that all the other 1905's used.

This true for later 1905-Es and 1905-Ms. The 1905-E made before 1910 had the same style of barrel with left hand 3t.p.i. threads as earlier MK IIs.

[Sentryduty]

Originally Posted by beastybaconman
I took it out and held the gun at arms length
That's not really a safe check of headspace...

I tend to use a lead sled, and 10 feet of string, and a barrier, and an empty gravel pit, for my testing of suspect guns. I've had a questionable firearm blow up in my hands before, a quick recount tells me I've nearly used up all of my 9 lives, so i tend to be a little more safety oriented these days..

[beastybaconman]

I took the stock off and tried taking some pictures, but my camera isn't the best.

1. On the left side of the barrel there's the number 6233 that's just visible above the stock when it's on.

2. Just above that there's a symbol that looks like two crossed flags, with a crown above and IP stamped below

3. Right on top of the barrel it's stamped .303 Ross with a P in a circle underneath

4. On the underside of the barrel there's a number stamped, it looks like either 3181 or 3184

5. Then there's a 57 stamped on the bottom right side of the receiver

Do any of these provide any model information?

[flying pig]

It's a factory sporter for sure. A few overall photos would tell us which one definitively

[oldpaul]

I have never owned a later E type Ross with the 16tpi barrel, so I haven't had one apart or seen the underside of the breech. However, your last picture seems to show the locking screw for the left hand thread 3tpi type action. My picture shows the screw backed out to be more easily seen. The later type E with the slower thread would have no purpose for this locking screw but that doesn't mean a blanking screw wasn't there just to cover the hole because they may have used the same receiver blank to make both versions. If you back out this screw you will know for certain as you can then see the barrel threads. In any case it seems you have worked things out to your own satisfaction. Best. Tom

[beastybaconman]

I took that locking screw out and it looks like I do have the left hand 3 t.p.i. barrel because I could only see the end of one thread when I looked in the hole. I took some pictures of the whole gun, but right now I have a Skinner barrel mount peep sight because I ended up using the original sight on another gun that I sold a couple years ago. The last picture is the original rear sight.