Ross rifle

[Mike95]

Currently reading a WW1 book called "A Rifleman goes to War"..an American sharpshooter who joins the Canadian army and used a Ross rifle as a sniper rifle. The rifle was not a successful trench weapon apparently and was generally replaced by the SMLE.
The Ross was considered to be a very accurate rifle and I would be interested to hear from anyone with first hand knowledge of the rifle. Does not seem to be many,if any about in original condition and calibre.

Mike95

[Laurie]

They are more common than you may think, many having been imported here during the 80s / early 90s. This was a pretty well one-off supply over just a few years and they've disappeared into people's collections and are only rarely offered for sale.

It's a big heavy rifle, criticised by the smallarms school experts at Woolwich every time Sir Charles Ross offered up yet another mark for acceptance by the British Army pre-WW1 as being quite unsuitable as a mass issue infantry weapon for the main run of recruits and better suited tio target shooting than field use, a verdict that was soon vindicated in WW1 trench conditions. That of course is why people don't part with them as they are potentially very accurate in mid to long-range historic arms service rifle competitions with their long heavy barrels and very fine sights.

I had a superb example many, many years back which shot very well, although not quite as well as a Swedish M1896 Mauser or Swiss long IG1911 Schmidt that I later owned. Its sole drawback was that the worm screw on the rearsight windage adjuster was very loose and made a part turn with every shot under recoil moving shot slowly but steadily to the right unless corrected.

[targetman]

The Ross is an excellent rifle and can be very accurate.

I have a M1910 which was issued in 1914 to what was in effect the supply train troops, what would now be called logistics, from that I gather it saw little use. I the bore is in excellent condition. This is third one I have owned and this one is by far the best.

In good condition they will out shoot most of the rifles of the period......with one proviso.....good ammunition is essential, particularly if like mine it has a very tight chamber.....mine will only handle certain ammunition....it jams up with some and will do so with my handloads.....this was the main problem facing Canadian troops in WW1....not dirt in the action as is often told but the differences between Canadian made and issued .303"
and the British issued .303".

That said, it is a most interesting rifle from an historic perspective.....the scandal over its manufacture and acceptance by the Canadian government at the time saw that government fall......the reported failings in action in France are well known, if a little understood.

All in all it is a fine rifle, better on the range than in the trenches, the first military rifle issued with a windage adjustable peep sight.

Looking for a good one in standard military form can take a long time....it took me nearly 40 years to find a good one, although I had a couple of poor to average ones previously and one that had been converted to a supine match rifle in the 1950s.

If you find a good one grab it, whatever the price, they are getting very rare, most have found their way to the USA where they are prized for their accuracy.

[dave_303]

Always wanted a 1910 Ross, whenever I've had the money they aren't about and the good ones always turned up when I'm skint.
Also of interest

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaSui_UqDX8

[Mike95]

Very interesting, thanks for the replies. The author mentions time and again the necessity for getting good quality ammo for the tight chamber of the Ross. I imagine that the best supply of the rifle will be in Canada...meanwhile I must settle for an alternative straight pull..my k31...another accurate rifle which would not have stood up tp trench conditions.

Mike95