Rev.6. 27/01/03.

A look at the 303 British SMLE Rifle
And It's Interchangeable Bolt-Heads to Control Headspace,
Plus A little History and a Book of the Ross Rifle.

 

The 303 SMLE rifle, like most battle rifles, was built to stand up to rough field conditions. This means one must allow for generous clearances in the chamber and bolt head while maintaining accuracy as designed. The interchangeable bolt heads did that quite well without requiring a gunsmith to maintain headspace.

The standard headspace gauge is 0.064" The no-go gauge is 0.074". Bolt head #0 is standard for no more than 0.006" headspace. Bolt heads are made in 0.003" increments, from #0 to #5. A #5 will allow for an additional 0.015 headspace for a total of 0.021". An armorer has told me that there are no #4 and #5 bolt heads. My own feeling is, if a rifle needs a #4 or #5 bolt head it should be retired from service.

Another source has told me that Bolt heads #4 and #5 are hard to find but do exist and knows of one person that has a #4. Actions that require that much headspace correction should be carefully inspected by an experienced non-destructive metal testing technician, or discarded. This statement is made by myself, a cautious person, and may not be agreeable to other knowledgeable persons regarding the SMLE #4 and #5 rifle.

Here's how to check the headspace. Glue a 0.006 shim stock washer on an empty case with contact cement. If the bolt closes on that, then you have headspace and you should look for a bigger bolt head or find some bigger rim brass or both. Or, you can use a soft lead shot pellet on top of the case and close the bolt on it, then measure the flattened lead with a micrometer. The 303's can be hard on brass if your rifle has excessive headspace and a large chamber neck; a 0.340 chamber neck is good. Since there used to be plenty of GI brass and ammo around, the case life was never much of an issue. Now it is a different story with the army supply dried up.

There is a great deal of variation in rim thickness. The rims of some makes of brass will go 0.063, and 0.060 are common. Some 303's that have been fired a lot will have more headspace then the no-go gauge. I know some 303 shooters build up the bolt faces by silver-soldering the appropriate size shim stock to the bolt face for lack of a bolt head. This kind of shim will require rework of the firing pin retaining seat in the bolt head. Nonetheless, I feel this is a questionable practice. Keep your headspace within specification, and also on the shoulder when hand loading. That applies to all rimmed and belted magnum cases.

The 303 Lee Enfield rifle has a light action designed for the low-pressure 303 British round, but can handle the 7.62 NATO (308 Win.) on tested and selected actions. The Canadian army did install many 7.62 barrels on the #4 rifles to conform to NATO requirements, before the FN. came along. The 7.62 Lee Enfield barrels and bolt heads in general are Canadian hidden treasures and most of the 7.62 conversions shoot with outstanding accuracy.

If you have a good inspected #4 or #5 action there is no reason not too install a domestic 308-barrel, by a knowledgeable gunsmith. This makes one rugged deer rifle and performs superbly.

The American-made P14 303 rifle and its brother the P17 (30-06) are very strong allowing conversions to 303-338 or other short magnums. These rifles are not known for headspace problems. The 303-bolt face will handle the magnum case without rework. Note that some makes of these actions were brittle, and all must be checked and tested before conversion.

Some Lee Enfield's # 5 have been converted to shoot .458 bullets with a shortened 2.00" magnum case. The 303 is an excellent moose rifle in the bush and much liked by big game guides in Northern Canada. My friend has one of them and shoots targets with 410-gr. cast lead bullets wrapped with Teflon tape. The rifle has very tight headspace and is extremely accurate. It has an original barrel and was rebored by Ron Smith a Canadian barrel maker.

Accuracy bedding and trigger tuning of the issue Lee Enfield rifle is not in the bag of a casual shooter, or even the unacquainted gunsmith. When done by an expert, the rifle is capable of outstanding performance in the hands of a seasoned rifleman. Sub-minute groups are not unusual, but rather quite common with proper attention to all details.

One shooter I know uses the 303 #5 Jungle Carbine for sheep hunting. The rifle is tuned and bedded and has a non-issue calibrated aperture sight, quick adjustable to 400 yards. He does not understand why people put scopes on their rifles. Other then that it is GI accepts a cut down magazine, which holds only four rounds and is flush with the bottom of the stock. He bagged several full curl rams with this very short and light rifle at sheep hunting ranges. It is irony in the light of the above, when the prescription nowadays for this kind of mountain game is a 25-378Wby or the likes with a big target type scope.

 For a super-light deer rifle weighing 6 pounds or less the 303 Jungle carbine is hard to beat. If you are short on cash nothing needs to be added to the gun, and it can be used as-is with its 2-range peep sight if you have reasonable eyesight. A scope can be added on a side mount. Many of the rifles will shoot well with .308" bullets if .311 are not available. Some will actually shoot more accurately with the 308 bullets, if you are hand loading.

The 303 cartridge has been widely wildcatted in Commonwealth countries, in almost any caliber that will accommodate the case dimension. For example: The 22, 6mm, the 257, 7mm, 30, 31, 8mm, 338 and 35 calibers. The list is extensive. The 6mm and the 257 are particularly well liked in Australia. These calibers produce impressive ballistics. In South Africa a 6mmx303 is available as a factory round. The Lee Enfield action can handle them well. Most of the wild cats feature a steep shoulder and a shortened neck for maximum use of available case length, and straighter case walls, a la Ackley Improved.

The two-stage trigger can be honed down to a safe crisp let off. Scope mounting is no problem either, but it is not as easy as the domestic Mauser type actions. There is nothing finicky about the Lee Enfield action; they are as rugged as they come.

If you are looking for a flat shooting economical deer rifle, wildcatting the Lee Enfield is not a bad choice. The 6mm and the 7mm would be my choice, because of the fine bullets for these calibers.

An amateur gunsmith handy with a Tig-welder, metal working skills and tools can turn this rifle into a one-piece stock version with guard screws like a Mauser. You can add a flush detachable magazine with a modified trigger guard. With Manlicher full length Canadian Bird Eye Maple stock, a bluing and polishing job, a Williams receiver sight with front ramp and a gold bead, and finally a 4x side mounted scope this makes for a deluxe all round deer rifle with both sights instantly available. This conversion would be too costly, if performed by a professional gunsmith especially in a wildcat chambering.

 

 

A project like this would simply be a nostalgic undertaking. If skillfully performed it does make a beautiful rifle and a great conversation piece. I had one just like it. Lately I have noticed at gun shows, that these vintage SMLE rifles are not plentiful and cheap anymore.

The rifle will also make a very excellent Scout Rifle capable of firing 30 rounds a minute, yes that is right 30 rounds when used by an expert 303 rifleman. In a competition two riflemen fired 73 (36+37) rounds in one minute placing all shots on a 20" target at 200 yards. Early English infantry were trained to fire 30 aimed rounds per minute. (Rifle March 1990. "A Bolt of Lightning" by Petre Mackenzie-Philps. )

The 280 and 303 Ross Rifle

One other rifle I like to mention is the 303 Canadian Ross rifle. This was a military rifle with the smoothest straight pull action imaginable. The close tolerance machining made it a super accurate rifle. This rifle lost favor when it was rumored that a miss-assembly of the bolt would blow the bolt back into the shooters face. Fact or fiction? I shot one of these rifles a lot and never had any trouble with it. Nor did the Russians in Olympic competition.

After World War II biathlon (ski shooting) was introduced in the Winter Olympics. The rules stated that the rifle had to be of military origin, and shoot center fire cartridges that had military applications. Manual loading only, 5 rounds maximum, either clips or strips. In the late1950 and early sixties the Americans were using the Model 70 Win in 308 and 243 cal. All rifles had a weight restriction including the sling and sights (no scopes). Everybody used bolt actions, four separate movements to load.

Until the Russians showed up with a short stroke Ross rifles, a Canadian straight pull action, World War I vintage. Two moves load the rifle. The Ross was chambered for the 303 British, which has a .540 Bolt face. The Russians fiddled with the very smooth Ross action and shortened the stroke. Cutting down on recoil and barrel jump with the then-newly designed super accurate revolutionary 220 Russian cartridge. They managed to call it a military rifle, and of course won all kinds of medals, until the rest of the world caught up with them.

Note: During W.W.II, the Mark 3 Ross rifle was given to the Royal Canadian Navy, the Veteran's Guard of Canada, coastal units, training depots, the British Home Guard and the Soviets.

The Russians also used these rifles and cartridges for the running Olympic boar competition, where speed loading is the name of the game. I am not sure for which game the 220 Russian cartridge was designed, since one game is shot in the summer and the other in the winter. They never permitted the cartridge or the rifle to be scrutinized by any outsiders -- top secret! What a prize one of these straight-pull Russian Olympic rifles would be in caliber 220 Russian. I've never seen one.

One other Ross Rifle is the 280 Ross it has a .287 bore and needs hand made bullets either cast or swaged down from 30 cal. Since these bullets are not available any more. This is a very powerful 7mm. (Note by Paul: The 280 Ross case is a big semi rimmed case, base dia .523 rim dia .556. The 220 swift is the only other semi-rimmed case I can think of.)
shooting a near 7mm 140 gr. bullet .287" at 3200 ft/sec. The base of this case is almost the same as the 220 Russian or much like a 300 H&H Magnum without the belt. (The father of the 22 PPC???)

It is in the power range of the 7x61 S&H and favors the heavier bullets. Your best bet to get bullets is to obtain a swaging die made to the exact bore diameter, then swage down 160 gr. .308 bullets. Load with about 60.0 gr. of H 4831 for about 2900 ft/sec. But start with 55.0 gr. of H4831. (See note below by Brian Oldfield)

The case is very poorly designed by modern standards and tend to have short life due to its sloping case walls, even more than 300 H&H. You can make cases from 300 H&H brass but may need to remove the belt on a lathe. You also need a chamber cast to get base, shoulder, and neck length, throat, neck-diameter and chamber length dimension for the proper dies.

No sloppy ammo should be used. You might find ammo in England; they call it a 280 Nitro Express. The rifle has a very fast twist like 1-8 or so. In good shape they shoot very well. Ross barrels are known for their fine accuracy provided the barrel is not pitted or rusted. Since these rifles are obsolete only one in mint condition should be used. But it is best to just hang it on the wall.

(I am recalling the above from memory and do not attest to its correctness. If the reader finds any discrepancies, please let me know and I will correct the error.)

 June 17, 2000.

Comments: From Paul, a 280 Ross a Reloader.

Have reloaded for the 280 Ross for many years. Nearly any magnum brass can be formed for it. 300 H&H are by far the fastest, 7 mm Rem. Mag, leaves the neck short, but is ok.

I don't think turning off the belt would be wise, as the belt fits the chamber nicely. After firing the case expands to fit the chamber, and there is only a very small area directly in front of the belt that isn't making full contact with the chamber walls.

RCBS says shoot as formed, belt intact. The belt keeps the rear of the case centered, as might not be the case after belt removal. Why weaken the case, leave the belt, it's almost the exact size as 280 brass is at the same place.

RCBS cautions that hot loads should not be used, of course they would.

The head of the 280 Ross bolt can be installed 3 ways. One way the action will not work; one way will give full lug contact. One other way will give only partial lug contact. This is what the hollering is all about that the Ross Rifle is not being safe. Some rifles that have been shot a lot over the years have headspace in the neighborhood of .020, no problem though, just back off the form die. Smoke the shoulder and check in rifle until shoulder contact is made with action closed. Common sense!

FTR Note: Only one out of three assemblies is of potential danger, but the partial lug contact does not necessarily mean bolt bow back. Some one fire tested this assembly and was unable to blow the bolt back, in one only particular rifle fired remote triggered. Perhaps in the latest model the situation of blowback was eliminated? Just make sure the rifle and bolt is properly assembled to avoid possible injury.

I doubt many Reloaders are interested in the caliber though, the barrel size is a problem .287-289. Most would be better off going with another 7mm Mag with a standard .284 barrel.

Fred, I have never swaged any bullets for the Ross. I've been shooting .284 bullets for a long time now. I get good hunting accuracy with Sierra 160's, Nosler 160's shoot good also.

My last order from Barnes Bullets was canceled; this was in the late 70's. They said their dies were out of service.

Here's the address, for swaging dies. Corbin, P.O. Box 2659, White City, OR. 97503

 

June 17, 2000.

Comments: From Jim Johnstone

Ross rifle was poor infantry weapon. Although very accurate it could not handle the rough, dirty conditions of the battlefield in WW1. Discarded by Canadian infantry in June 1915 and replaced by the Lee Enfield. Before that time Canadians threw away the Ross and picked up discarded Lee Enfield's when possible. Snipers retained the Ross. Straight action bolt could be inserted incorrectly and could be ejected on firing. Canadian politics played major part in selection and retention of Ross until finally the message was accepted at high levels. On several occasions the Canadians using Lee Enfield rifles were ordered to hand them in and use the Ross rifle again. JDJ

Good reference is: Gallant Canadians (Tenth Canadian Inf. Bn.) 1914-1919 by Daniel Dancock

August 10/00 Comments By Rick Teal

280 ROSS. The Ross rifle was a straight pull bolt rifle designed by an expatriate Scott and built by his company in Montreal at the end of 1800 and beginning of 1900. The .280 Ross was designed for his African hunting rifles, and garnered quite a reputation until hunters started using them beyond their design capabilities, and some tragic animal/hunter confrontations resulted.

The Ross rifle was later chambered for the .303 British cartridge and began W.W.I as the standard Canadian small arm. Unfortunately for our soldiers, the rifle tolerances were too close to be able to cope with the mud of the battle trenches, and would often jam at the most in-opportune times. Canadian soldiers in the trenches replaced them with the lower quality but more reliable SMLE as the war progressed. Snipers, however, used the Ross throughout the war due to its speed and accuracy (It won several Bisley shoots during that era).

The reputation of unreliability of the Ross was due partly to its performance in the trenches, and partly due to some accidents that occurred when soldiers - trying to un-jam their rifles - reassembled them incorrectly, resulting in bolt blow back.

I once owned a 1910 Ross in .303, and found the action to be strong and reliable, and very smooth to work.

The .280 Ross had a bullet diameter of .287, and was the most powerful cartridge of its time producing over 3000 fps with 160-gr. bullets (if I remember correctly). I understand that it's still available in some rifles of British manufacture.

Some more Ross History

By GLENN B. FOULDS

The Canadian Encyclopedia Copyright © 1995 by McClelland & Stewart Inc.

During the SOUTH AFRICAN WAR, Canada requested that Great Britain supply the Canadian force with the British Lee-Enfield rifle but Britain refused. Since no manufacturer could be persuaded to establish a Canadian production facility, Canada would have to produce its own. Sir Charles Ross, a British aristocrat and inventor, offered to build a plant in Canada. He developed a 5-clip rifle model for the Canadian militia trials during August 1901 and this rifle became the Mark 1 Ross rifle, which began production in 1903. In Mar 1903 the Canadian government signed a contract with Ross for 12 000 rifles to be supplied by the end of 1903.

About 1900, Sir Charles Ross, the designer of a bolt-action rifle that was being made for him in the US, moved to Canada and interested the Canadian government in his design. A factory was established at Quebec City, and the first shipment of the Canadian-made ROSS RIFLE was turned over to the government in 1905. The Ross went through many variations until the Lee-Enfield rifle during W.W.I replaced it.

Sir Sam HUGHES, the future minister of militia and member of the 1901 militia committee, was a supporter of the Ross rifle. The Mark 1 Ross rifle was not delivered until 1905 and 1000 units were supplied to the RNWMP (Royal North west Mounted Police) but various problems plagued this model of rifle and it was eventually recalled in 1906. Changes were made to the production model until 1910 when the various models of the Mark 2 were produced. Great Britain at that time was strongly urging Canada to adopt the Lee-Enfield rifle for its armed forces so as to have consistency within the Empire regarding weaponry, and because Canada refused to halt production of the Ross rifle, strains developed over imperial defense.

The Mark 2 rifle was adopted by the Canadian armed forces in 1911, and in that year work was begun on the Mark 3, although few were produced before 1914. In the first years of W.W.I the Ross rifle received a bad reputation. It was seen as unsuitable for the "trench-and-charge" tactics employed during that war because of its weight, 9 Lbs. 14 oz. (c 4.5 kg), its overall length, 60½ inches (c 1.5 m) with bayonet fixed, and the continual jamming problem plus the occasional "blowback." The cause of the jamming was eventually corrected but came too late for the rifle to maintain its use.

In the summer of 1916 the rifle was withdrawn from service and by mid-Sept Canadian troops had been rearmed with the British-made Lee-Enfield. The Canadian government expropriated the Ross Rifle Co in March 1917 after paying Ross $2 million. The total production of the Ross rifle was approximately 420,000 with 342,040 units being purchased by the British. During W.W.II, the Mark 3 Ross rifle was given to the Royal Canadian Navy, the Veteran's Guard of Canada, coastal units, training depots, the British Home Guard and the Soviets.

A book published in 1984 called "The Ross rifle story" by John A. Chadwick RR#6, Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada B1P 6T2. It was printed by Casket printing & publishing co., Ltd., P.O box 1300, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada B2G 2l7. It has all the information and history on the Ross rifle and the .280 Ross Cartridges.

This book is now available from "Michael Leonard" as of Jan27/03 <leonards@interlog.com

Orders can be placed on line at "ross.rifle.story@sympatico.ca".

 

 

 Comments by Brian Oldfield.

Fred, I like your web sight - good stuff. Regarding the Ross rifles.... If you are going to swage bullets for the .280 (or any other cal.) then start with a bullet that is SMALLER than required. The reason is that the lead core will keep the copper jacket the correct size. If you swage a bullet down that is too big then the copper jacket will crawl back towards its original size. (I.E. bigger dia.). I do shoot both my Model 10`s but not too often. Bullets for the .405 are expensive. I make my own bullets for the .280 using regular 7mm bullets bumped up in a home made die. I think Corbin offers a die for doing this too.

The Russians used the Ross rifle in 7.62 Russ also. The reason the Canucks dropped the Ross from service was because of very poor extraction - NOT that the bolt could be assembled wrong. The model 10 Ross was the last one designed and was available in many different caliber's including the .405 Win. MRP. White at the Canadian War Museum has 175 different model 10 rifles! The .280 and the .405 win that I have both have chrome vanadium steel barrels I think they all had. Original loads for the .280 had 140 and 160-g bullets. Brian Oldfield

Note: The above comments, dates, and other data have some conflicting statements, and chronological discrepancies. Only very intense research could clarify the data or statements. I would be pleased to add comments from readers.

Please direct your comments to

Fred the Reloader

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