ROSS Rifles: A Canadian Classic

Here is a detailed look at a classic Canadian stalking rifle including shooting original 280 Ross ammunition that's OVER 100 years old! I have both a 1905 Ross sporter and a 1910 Ross sporter so we get a great look at them side by side. Ross Rifles are excellent straight pulls. These straight pulls, and especially the 280 Ross cartridge, were definitely ahead of their time. Come see if I like the 1905 or 1910 best, and whether or not that old ammo fired.
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[@davidneal6920]

Here in New Zealand I have read about the use of the Ross Rifles way back when. What I really gathered was that these rifles at the time, were very expensive by today’s standards. And by New Zealand standards only the relatively wealthy could obtain one. Prized possessions . Thank you 🇨🇦 🇳🇿

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

I didn't know - thanks and all the best to you in NZ

[@Old_8_gauge]

I own a 1905 in .303. Love it! Highly accurate, fast and easy to use.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Glad you own one - not many do

[@gordondelacroix253]

Some sporter ross in .280 calibers were purchased by officers and outfitted with scopes during ww1 has ad-hoc sniper rifles. Later when the Canadians switched to the SMLE has their standard issue rifle, you start seeing telescoped Ross MkIII rifles with the forend that has been cut like a sporter so that the rifle is lighter and partially free floated. In any case I really wish I could find a sporter ross (factory or not), but here in France it's complex unless you are willing to pay a pretty penny ! At least there's videos like yours to show beautiful pieces of arms history like those two ross rifles!

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thanks for writing! I hope you find one over there - quite special to own and shoot. All the best to you in France.

[@cdncampcook8680]

Thank you for the awesome history lesson. Glad to hear you’re travelling north to visit firearm industry! Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦 🔫

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Great country; great people.

[@nirfz]

The force with which the projectiles move the steel plate is fun to watch. Nice video! And to be honest the ftf made me flinch watching too. I remember i was trained to keep the muzzle on target for at least 30 seconds before getting the failure round out of the gun as we never know if it's a hangfire and might go off slower or won't go off at all.. As for in depth history of the Ross: there are 2 incredibly good sources here on YT. One is Ian of Forgotten weapons. He kepps his videos relatively short, and the other are Othais and Mae of C&Rsensal. That's real indepth. I think their Video about the history of the Ross rifle is over an hour. But they do cover a lot.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thanks for the message. You're right - the slow to fire rounds sometimes go off later and it's good to keep them chambered. Over the years I had a few that slow fired in my hand or on the bench after a minute or so. I may change the primer in a couple of the original rounds - it's usually the primer that fails as you know. I think I've seen the Forgotten Weapons videos - excellent. The Ross rifles are quite interesting - I started buying them in my teens - they were round $50. 😂 All the best to you.

[@nirfz]

@@UnitedStatesOfGuns Thanks for the reply! Wow, what a price! It seems they found the right person to have a happy and appreciated life. All the best to you too!

[@Thirsty_Fox]

Beautiful rifles, and those old cartidge boxes are just as charming. We were just in the mountains of inland BC and miss it already!

[@canlungdoc]

The rifle factory was on the Plains of Abraham in Quebec City, and the Martello tower there was used as a target backstop apparently. Ross rifles were excellent as long as you weren't a Canadian WW1 soldier trying to use them jammed with Flanders mud and with poor tolerance ammunition.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Fine comment. Nasty, murderous places those fields; where the poppies blow. They were old, quite old; the few veterans I spoke with long ago. The Lee Enfield seemed to be the last one standing in conditions when the Mauser, Springfield and 14/17 Enfield stopped. But all the machines eventually failed they said. Still, you're right - the Ross is a better hunting rifle.

[@AdmiralyBoring]

Thanks for a video on these! Awesome work with the model 8 & 81 too!

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thanks for taking the time for the note

[@johannesvanhoek9080]

Thank you once again ,for a really enjoyable and informative video 👍

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thanks for being here.

[@tonyjones9715]

Thanks for another great video. 👍

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

You're most welcome

[@user-jp8ce5rn1d]

Thank you boss 👏for all the information you provide us

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thanks for being on the channel

[@asimseth1927]

Mike Sure Does Know How 2 Pull off a great video. Being an owner of a Ross MK -II 1905 Sporter in .35 Winchester Calibre can't tell you how honoured I feel seeing a Ross in Action by such a firearm enthusiac 😊

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thank you Asim! So good to speak with you the other day. All the best.

[@michaelguerin56]

I am extremely jealous that you have that particular book. Enjoy it😁! Cheers from NZ🇳🇿.

[@RickNethery]

Beautiful rifles and background, my friend. God bless you

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Hi Rick - thank you! Hope all is well. God Bless 🙏

[@georgesheffield1580]

I have seen a few of both the sporting rifles and a few of the military rifles . Superb machine work .

[@stephenthompson6400]

Lotta sauce

[@dennisclapp7527]

Thanks USOG

[@PeterSt1954]

My normal interest is in military weapons. Yours is the only channel I regularly watch about civilian weapons. That must say something.

[@agskytter8977]

The 2024 Paris Olympics has just started. It seems that very few know that the Ross is a very successful competitionrifle in the "Running Deer" event in the Olympics and "ISSF" World Championships. My shooting buddy's father, John H Larsen, won gold in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics and 3 world championships ( 1949 Buenos Aires, 1952 Oslo and 1954 Caracas) with a Ross converted to 6.5x55. Even the Soviets used the Ross converted to 7,62x54R. The Soviets won a lot of medals with the Ross. However, the 7.62X54R had too much recoil so they designed a new straight pull rifle from scratch with a new low recoil round; the 220 Russian. The 220R is of course is the parent round for the 22PPC and the worlds most accurate round; 6mmPPC. John H Larsen's rifle is on display at the Lillehammer Olympic Museum.

[@js-du4gw]

Thanks great video always great to see you. I really like how you explain the those beautiful rifles. Work .and they are well made . I'm curious what is the weight on those . Most of old military rifles are bought up today. Love seeing you Mike thank you as always!! Keep your videos coming!!

[@hockeytownluv2012]

Love your videos Mike!!

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thank you for your kind words.

[@hawknives]

Good looking Rifles! I always like the long barreled rifles! straight Pull is a plus! Christ Bless and Thank You!

[@39MercFlathead]

I've never seen a Ross, but I've never been in a gun store when visiting Canada. I first read about them in 1959 or 60 in Eric Collier's Three Against the Wilderness. He had a war surplus Ross in .303. I've since read that they were a significant maintenance problem, but for civilian use that doesn't sound as large a problem as for military use.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Good comment. Many gun problems become popular to talk about and spread from minimal origins.

[@CPM_1975]

Great Video!!! Would love to see the chronograph numbers for both rifles with those old rounds. You always have very informative topics. I read somewhere that 140 grain 280 Ross ammunition was just above 3000 feet per second. NRA has an excellent video on the Ross rifle as well, have you seen that? The 280 Ross originally came with .287 caliber bullet. It would be good to reproduce a modern version of the Ross rifle (both 1905 and 1910) in 280 Ackley Improved with the longer barrel 30.5 inch, hmmm, just to have win the lottery for that. Can you line up that ammunition you have on table in the studio against all the 7mm , 280 and 284 ammuntion cartridges before and after the Ross in terms of age of first introduction. That would be very interesting, 7 by 57 Mauser and so on.

[@Spruce-Bug]

Or you could just rebarrel an existing action. It has a magnum bolt face.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thank you - will try to check speed

[@lessharratt8719]

Thanks. Nice backdrop. I think I recognise.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

: ) It's pretty

[@jensenwilliam5434]

Thanks Mike !!

[@gregorywillis2447]

Back in the day when I was collecting, the Ross was on my list. The last one I saw was hanging in a small fish stand on Vancouver Island.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

I like that. Maybe still there : )

[@mdirtydogg]

Thank you for an interesting and educational video on these relatively less known rifles.

[@stanandrews1741]

Beautiful Rifles! Thanks for sharing the video

[@SnoopReddogg]

FFS, having watched a lot of your videos, I swear we've got the same tastes in rifles. Marlin Levermatic? Check Winchester 88? Check Lee Enfields? Check Brno Hornets? Check And now you've busted out my favorite hunting rifle, the mighty 1910 Ross in the oft forgotten 280 Ross.

[@thomasholohan4090]

An interesting design, and I believe the original cartridge was quite "hot" for its time. Good for target shooting and hunting, but never made it as a military rifle because of tendencies for bolt to lock up from sand, dirt, mud, etc. Also, did not tolerate ammo that wasn't totally clean. However, favored by some for sniing. A college friend had one in his collection, and he loved it. Hope you continue to feel well!

[@viktormogilin307]

G’day from Aus 🇦🇺 🍻 I grew up with the Kynoch brand & you posted on my birthday, It’s late or early for some, without sauce the world would not be the same, sauce is good, sauce can be romantic, powerful, influential, nostalgic, historical,etc., saucy, I love it, here’s to ya with a bit of Irish ☘️ sauce, slant ya sah! Love your vids👍🏻😂😘

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Happy Birthday my friend! Hope you're enjoying the great day; naturally - with some sauce! Thanks for being on the channel and the note. All the best to you in the Lucky Country! 💥💥💥

[@viktormogilin307]

@@UnitedStatesOfGuns 🍻Kanakh 😘😂 🇦🇺👍🏻

[@Melcop1886]

Very interesting. As a Canadian I can't say I've ever seen this rifle, thanks for sharing!

[@kencurtis508]

Great video, thanks for sharing

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

You're most welcome

[@marksmith9295]

An interesting rifle for sure. Going through the National Archives of Canada digitized imagery I was able to find a WW1 Battalion group photo with my Great Grandfather and other soldiers holding these Ross rifles. Was easily identifiable by the straight pull bolt. My great grandfather didnt see any action though when overseas as the CEF discovered he was 51 and confined to garrison duty before sending back home. He died at the of 94 and had the unique distinction of being the only Canadian (naturalized mind you) to have served in the 3rd Burma War in tge 1880s. I dont have a Ross rifle in my collection but I do have a Martini Henry which is what he would have lugged around when in Burma and India. It would have been taller than him:)

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thank you! Your post is so interesting. I'll have to read about the 3rd Burma War!

[@marksmith9295]

It wasnt much of a war per se but the guerilla conflict after the King was deposed carried on for years. The Brits basically were backing "India Tea Company" interests while making their presence known before other Russian and French interests moved in.

[@borisbuliak3626]

That rifle looks just like the way I dig it. Thin and long barrel, not squatty and short barreled. 👍

[@ianmccutcheon6319]

Very interesting review on these old vintage rifles . Thanks

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thank you!

[@chrischiampo7647]

😊😇😀 Beautiful Rifles USOG 😀👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@donhansen1175]

I was told that the problem with the Ross Rifle was two fold. It worked great with Canadian ammunition but had trouble with British Ammunition. It was also in competition with the best battle rifle of the time: The Enfield. Don Hansen

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thank you. I didn't know about the differing ammo. I shoot whatever I find in .303 or .280; all good so far. Mind you I'm not always in a muddy trench. For sure the Lee Enfield is the better rifle.

[@eastvantony]

Great local shop glad you support it 😀

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thank you

[@Spruce-Bug]

I've got a 1910 M-10 sporter in 280 Ross. The bolt has worn down the steel of the receiver rails and causes the bolt head to begin to unlock, binding the action at the rearward most travel. I put some JB weld to build up that area again. Havn't figured out a better way to keep it working. They're great rifles but I wonder about steel quality. Another great video.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Hello - I had a similar situation; I found a different bolt head at a gun show - sheer luck I suppose - but no more premature springing of the bolt head.

[@davejones67]

Mike, didn’t know you were Canadian! Must live near me. I’m in Langley.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Not far my friend

[@debi5292]

Love the 1910. Wish ours had the pop-up peep sight over the rear receiver. It is in 303 caliber. Very good condition as well. Your rifle has the correct checkering, identical to ours. Butter smooth action, as smooth as any Krag rifle.

[@fox123456789ish]

Hello, that 1905 is actually a 1907 Scotch Deer Rifle. The 1905 had solid lugs. Excellent rifle.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thank you! I was wondering what was going on. The action is marked "1905" yet is unlike my other 1905 spotters: the solid lugs are not there and the cartridge depress is not there either. It's very sleek and handles perfectly. You're right.

[@fox123456789ish]

@@UnitedStatesOfGuns Yes, rather limited production and uncommon to find now. The first commercial introduction of 280 Ross for the company was in the 1907's.

[@steveboyd3455]

It may be good for hunting but the CEF in WW 1 fairly quickly took it out of service, and the Canadian troops were issued the British Lee-Enfield as their rifle, because the Ross was so sensitive to the dirt and mud of the trenches and was prone to jamming up - quite a hazard when German infantry were charging towards you across no-mans land!

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

For sure you're right about the history. I'll keep trying to get mine to jam from mud and dirt etc... In the meantime a very fine hunting rifle. Thanks for the note.

[@kristanmiller5589]

My husband just got a model 1910 in 303 brit .

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Great rifle - and that's an easier cartridge to find - good buy!

[@aethertech]

Nice rifles, lower on my list to acquire - ammo reasons. Also, you need to do a video on the H&R 360 Ultra Automatic.

[@HypocriticYT]

Kynoch ammunition is old and Berdan primed so not easily reloaded. Bertram Brass may have 280 Ross casings??

[@grassroot011]

Man, those rounds are pretty hot, and the barrels, really long. Good thing though. Thanks

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thank you - all the best

[@flyingoneranch]

They jamed when they got hot

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

You're right - not good for rapid fire high volume hunting work. Other than that - pretty good. : )

[@gusloader123]

Good video. Good subject. You shot well. Is there a safety on the Ross rifles? After watching your video, I opened my copy of "Cartridges of the World" by Frank Barnes. He has some things to say about the .280 Rimless (Ross) cartridge and the gun. He did not like the original pointed bullet, especially if the hunter was shooting at "Dangerous Game animals". Winchester and Remington quit making that ammo in 1935.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thank you - I didn't know they stopped making the ammo so early.

[@gusloader123]

@@UnitedStatesOfGuns Hello. I replied to you but the Y.T. shark must have eaten my post. I'll try again but very edited. ----> type in .280 Rimless Ross cartridge / Ross straight-pull rifle,,, and look for / read the article/info by Chuck Hawks and the Chuck Hawks webpage for information & warnings about the firearm and the cartridge. Be careful and stay safe Mike.... we like to watch your videos. P.S. I looked but did not see a Pay-Pal link for you.

[@jimf1964]

I was looking at a couple of these at a gun show last year. Almost bought one, but ended up with a 1921 made Winchester 1894. So the story I heard, and I’m sure everyone else was that it is possible to reassemble the bolt wrong, and it can still fire. It blew up in several peoples faces, so they decided it was dangerous. No idea if that true though. And yes, Montreal was an awesome city. As much as I’m trying to get out of it, it is the only big city in Canada I’d live in. It’s changed for the worse awful lot since I was a kid though So is it a push or controlled feed?

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Hi - The round is picked up from the mag and slips up under the extractor. I'd say the round is partially controlled - but not like a Mauser 98.

[@jimf1964]

@@UnitedStatesOfGuns thanks

[@gennerobootz6490]

I heard that they are kinda dangerous?

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Many people have heard that. I've owned many Ross rifles and find them as safe as other military surplus rifles. Many rifles and machines are dangerous if you assemble them incorrectly. Split rims come to mind. Anyway, I like them.

[@HypocriticYT]

Shooting very old ammunition doesn’t have the same capability as new ammunition. Gun powder does degrade. I’ve shot MH 450, 1911 .303 and more. All had lost significant velocity 😮

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thank you - I bought quite a lot of old/very old ammunition over the years - especially Kynoch and Nobel - always interesting seeing what happens. All the best.

[@seanmatthews2082]

Nice video, great to see ya✌️