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Need Info on Old Benchrester/gunsmith

snert

Silver $$ Contributor
I am trying to do some research on a gunsmith/machinist/early benchrester named Ross Sherman, from Dryden NY. He had some involvements with Hart and with Shilen, I think, doing DGA work maybe. Any old photos, information, stories,leads or reference articles would be helpful. Thanks in advance,

Snert
 
Ralph or Ross? What I know so far is that Ross died in 1999, shot in the 50's in benchrest, made buttons for rifling, may have done some things with HArt, and made bullets. I want to gain some background for a possible article on his life.

I claim ignorance on SS and D. A little background? Thanks

Snert
 
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I was able to determine that Mr. Sherman did make bullets, did make actions, did make rifling buttons and provided direction and teaching to other smiths, and Mr. Shilen worked for him or with him before moving on. Anyone here recall any old articles in Precision Shooting on Ross? I would like to know what edition or year...

Thanks again in advance,
Snert
 
I have learned the following: Ross was friends with Clyde HArt and Mike Walker, helped for years by making first carbide rifling buttons. Fluted Hart barrels, and made buttons. Designed and made "Superior Actions" of Dryden NY, and Ed Shilen learned some of his craft from Ross while designing his first Shilen action, similar to the Superior, in Ross's shop. Only 30 Superiors made in the 60's and I have located about three, I think. One may be "undocumented", but serialized. BR Hall of Fame inductee, 1980's. I have one of his bullets now, a 53 grain 224. Was a musician, a machinist, and a car dealership owner, besides helping in the war efforts.
If anyone has photos or articles, I would appreciate copies for research. Ross is buried in Dryden NY.

Snert
 
UPDATE
Thanks to all who have responded. I have unearthed some great info, and now have in my temporary possession an undocumented but serialized Superior rifle (#31) in 222, with a HArt BBl. It is the very rifle pictured on cover Precision Shooting, Vol 29, No5, Sept 1983. I have about 100 of Shermans bullets, 53 Gr HP match. i intend to do a "Then and Now" comparison of bullets and optics on the rifle as soon as our weather clears. This should be a great "time capsule" endeavor, because though the bbl is a sporter, it is my hope that i can gain some appreciation of the action that won many BR events in the early 60's. I am hopeful that I can produce an article that would be accepted at PS.

Snert
 
My father in law Don Stenberg central North Dakota was a bench rest shooter in the 1960's and early 70's. He always talked about the bullet maker dies he had to make 224 bullets but sold when he needed some money for his shop. He made up a lot before he sold them. I still have about 250 Ross/Sherman 52 gn HP bullets left. They are my best shooting in the 22Cheetah2 at 3900mv. Been looking on line for the name Ross/Sherman and found this post. Would like to know if anyone has the dies to make the bullets? All this time I thought Ross Sherman as one name, now it is 2 people.
 
snert said:
UPDATE
Thanks to all who have responded. I have unearthed some great info, and now have in my temporary possession an undocumented but serialized Superior rifle (#31) in 222, with a HArt BBl. It is the very rifle pictured on cover Precision Shooting, Vol 29, No5, Sept 1983. I have about 100 of Shermans bullets, 53 Gr HP match. i intend to do a "Then and Now" comparison of bullets and optics on the rifle as soon as our weather clears. This should be a great "time capsule" endeavor, because though the bbl is a sporter, it is my hope that i can gain some appreciation of the action that won many BR events in the early 60's. I am hopeful that I can produce an article that would be accepted at PS.

Snert
Click to expand...
I'm afraid you will need to find a different magazine to submit it to, as PS is no more. They have just very recently closed up.
http://www.precisionshooting.com/
 
Ed Shilen told me during an interview that I had with him that Ross Sherman was not a part of S.S.& D. Ross and Ed lived in the same small town in N.Y. They were friends and Ed said that Ross was a superb machinist and die maker. He was a pioneer in making carbide bullet dies. Also, Ed stated that he learned machine operations from him. Also, Ed and Ross designed a 4-lug action in 1959, and the two that they made that year shot well during the 1960 season.

S.S. and D. produced about 100 more of these actions after Ed joined them. The article in which I interviewed Ed is found in the February, 2008 Edition of Precision Shooting Magazine. James Mock
 
SS&D stood for Shooters Service & Dewey. I still have some correspondence from them (John Dewey), info on turning case necks after buying their neck turners. If you wrote to John Dewey about a problem he would always answer.
 
John Dewey and Ed Shilen ran SSD in New York State about 60 miles North of NY City. John's son is the owner of the Dewey Rod Co. I believe he lives and operates out of Ct .
I recently heard that Mr Dewey is interested in collecting items that his father built. I do not know his address but I am sure he might be interested in a copy of the correspondence.

Paul Ryan
 
He made neck turners (Little Shavers), rod guides (bore savers), bullet spinners, primer pocket cleaners (crocagators), strongbacks for a couple of different receivers, trigger guards, Neck Sizing Dies, Seating Dies. Sold Parker-Hale Cleaning Rods (which I still have 3 or 4), sold Helios Dial Calipers, Dial Indicators (.0001"), jewelers screwdrivers, stock finish, bore cleaner, rawhide mallets, JB (Jim Brobst) Bench Rest Pedestals, sizing lubricant, etc. He was located at Clinton Corners, New York. He was a fine person.
 
Dewey also made a concentricity gauge. The JB (Jim Brobst) pedestals were just like the JB100 RW Hart Rest that they sell now. They were very popular in the early 70s @ Williamsport 1000 yard shooting. I remember Alan Hall used to work for Ed Shilen sleeving Remington actions. When Shilen worked for Dewey they made a Shilen action in New York that was round and not a casting like the DGA. They were beautiful actions. These Dewey Neck Turners I have are steel and the mandrel is at the bottom of the square housing not centered like the Marquet or K&M, the cutter was adjusted w/ a screw w/ knurled head and a set screw held the cutter in place, they work well.
 
Dan here is a photo of Ed holding a rifle built with the first Shilen/Sherman action. James
21oq883.jpg
 
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