Ross M1905 target rifle

[breakeyp]

I had this out to photograph for a friend.

Information

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[altadiver]

Nice rifle. Did your friend get out and put some rounds through it yet?

[Surpmil]

That's a beauty; is there any provenance? There is a database of serial numbers and rifle features over at Welcome to Ross Rifle if you would care to add this to the list.

[breakeyp]

Sorry for misunderstanding, the Mark II** is mine. The friend wanted the photos. I have not and will not fire it. I have fired my friend's target Ross and find the stock dimensions/shape to be quite punishing.

[browningautorifle]

I find it interesting how they moved the front cap back about 4" on these. I'd think removing it all together would have been easier and still effective.

[Lee Enfield]

I find it interesting how they moved the front cap back about 4" on these. I'd think removing it all together would have been easier and still effective.

Actually it's the other way around; on the original MkII** they used a standard stock, and a barrel which was about 2" longer than standard.

To meet the rules it had to take a bayonet, so they are one with a 2" longer hilt.

Then they made a 2" long bar extension for a standard bayonet to lock into.

The 3rd variation used a longer stock so that a standard bayonet could be used and the geometry of the stock was the same as a standard service rifle.

[browningautorifle]

Actually it's the other way around

Well that makes more sense. I didn't know these were specially made that way, always thought they' been altered. Very interesting...we had one as a marksmanship trophy in my Battalion for years and the many times I saw it I thought it had been altered.

[green]

Looks like the receiver has been tapped for the Ross milled sight base.
The first year the Cdn military team team took the MkII with the light barrel to Bisley they did poorly. The next year they returned with first MkII** with the heavy 30" barrel and short stock rifles. The heavy barrel was a close copy of the profile of the Long Lee barrel. The Brits complained it was not a service rifle since it did not take a bayonet. The Cdns replied it was a rifle in service with militia not divulging that it was only in service with the Bisley team. The next year the Cdn team arrived with the long bt lug model II**.
The II** was the rifle that established the Ross rifes reputation for accuracy.

[altadiver]

Sorry for misunderstanding, the Mark II** is mine. The friend wanted the photos. I have not and will not fire it. I have fired my friend's target Ross and find the stock dimensions/shape to be quite punishing.

Not sure if you shoot cast bullets. IMR 4198 with 185-195 grn cast gas checked bullet comes out at 1700 FPS and no recoil too speak of. PM me and I can give you the load I am using.

[breakeyp]

Thank you for the loading information. Unfortunately I don't reload. The target Rosses tend to a very tight bore which adds to felt recoil along with an axe like butt profile driving into your shoulder. They were men in those days.