Feeding Issues, please help!

[frog stealer]

Hello all,

I purchased a new production (Portugal) M70 Safari Express in .375, for the sole purpose of having it re-barreled to .404. When I received it back from getting it re-barreled, the gun shot shot very well, and worked great EXCEPT for the following issue:

If I load three rounds in the magazine, chamber a round, fire it, and go to eject the empty case, the next round up gets dislodged and typically hangs out of the action like a stovepipe. Sometimes I can get it to feed properly if I pull the bolt back very slowly, but this is a dangerous game rifle, so that is not an option. I’m guessing it might be a magazine spring tension issue, but not sure. The rifle doesn’t have this problem when only two shells are loaded. Any thoughts? I guess I can use it with only two in the mag, but really wanted three!

 

[Luvthunt]

Had a similar problem in the past with a Remington 700. The mag follower was pressed metal, bought a machined follower from Midway and worked ok after that.
At the time I called several people for ideas and was given the following : receiver rails too smooth—-follower spring too strong—not strong enough—rough up the ammo cases. Try another brand of ammo. Nickle cases may be the problem if using nickle.

 

[Shootist43]

Take/send it back to the gunsmith that rebarreled it for you. I've read where similar rebarrel jobs were performed on 300 RUM originals (the 300 RUM is based on the 404 Jeffery case) that there were feeding problems. Good luck.

 

[frog stealer]

Thanks all...maybe I’ll try spring tension first...follower springs are easy to get and fairly cheap.

 

[Shootist43]

BTW, what did it cost to get the Win. Mod 70 rebarreled? I own one 404 Jeffery and was seriously considering going the same way you did but with a Winchester in a RUM caliber.

 

[frog stealer]

Cost was $900 including new barrel, and a six month wait time.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Cost was $900 including new barrel, and a six month wait time.

OUCH!

 

[Hogpatrol]

Hello all,

I purchased a new production (Portugal) M70 Safari Express in .375, for the sole purpose of having it re-barreled to .404. When I received it back from getting it re-barreled, the gun shot shot very well, and worked great EXCEPT for the following issue:

If I load three rounds in the magazine, chamber a round, fire it, and go to eject the empty case, the next round up gets dislodged and typically hangs out of the action like a stovepipe. Sometimes I can get it to feed properly if I pull the bolt back very slowly, but this is a dangerous game rifle, so that is not an option. I’m guessing it might be a magazine spring tension issue, but not sure. The rifle doesn’t have this problem when only two shells are loaded. Any thoughts? I guess I can use it with only two in the mag, but really wanted three!

Just curious, couldn't you have just purchased an action and had it barreled and what was the disposition of the original barrel?

 

[frog stealer]

Just curious, couldn't you have just purchased an action and had it barreled and what was the disposition of the original barrel?

Technically, yes...but I like the stock on the M70’s so it made sense to just purchase the entire rifle. I still have the original barrel in .375.

 

[Shootist43]

frog stealer, do you have any 375 H&H ammo? I was wondering if you could put the 404 Jeffery and the 375 ammo side by side and compare the two profiles. I believe they are different. That difference is most likely where the feeding issues start. Von Gruff posted a thread some time back regarding the proper layout for a Mauser magazine. It might be worth your while to review it and compare the required dimensions to those of your magazine.

 

[frog stealer]

frog stealer, do you have any 375 H&H ammo? I was wondering if you could put the 404 Jeffery and the 375 ammo side by side and compare the two profiles. I believe they are different. That difference is most likely where the feeding issues start. Von Gruff posted a thread some time back regarding the proper layout for a Mauser magazine. It might be worth your while to review it and compare the required dimensions to those of your magazine.

Yes...very different. The 404 is a non-belted case, and is about the same diameter all the way to the shoulder as the belt on a 375. I actually found a source for purchasing a mag follower for the M70’s that were produced in 300 ultra mag. I might purchase one of those to see if it works any better.

Trying to avoid an expensive complete overhaul on the magazine, but will probably do it if need be.

 

[Shootist43]

The RUM follower will help but may not be the complete answer. Did you find the thread Von Gruff posted? If not here it is https://www.africahunting.com/threads/proper-magazine-layout.35015/ It seems to me that this is basic information every gunsmith should have access to and moreover comply with when changing calibers on a Mauser style action.

 

[frog stealer]

The RUM follower will help but may not be the complete answer. Did you find the thread Von Gruff posted? If not here it is https://www.africahunting.com/threads/proper-magazine-layout.35015/ It seems to me that this is basic information every gunsmith should have access to and moreover comply with when changing calibers on a Mauser style action.

Thanks for the link shootist, I’ll do the math and do a quick check on the mag box and see if I’m even in the same ballpark.

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

The RUM follower will help but may not be the complete answer. Did you find the thread Von Gruff posted? If not here it is https://www.africahunting.com/threads/proper-magazine-layout.35015/ It seems to me that this is basic information every gunsmith should have access to and moreover comply with when changing calibers on a Mauser style action.

+ 1

 

[450 Dakota]

I have a factory Win 70 in 300 ultra mag. Winchester used a different follower as well as mag box that has a cut out and allows the cases to stack flatter. Might see if you can get ahold of one.

 

[Pheroze]

When I converted my 3006 to a 308 Norma I had a similar problem. It was fixed by the gunsmith who machined a bit off of the inside of the magazine. The walls of the mag where exerting pressure on the cases and they would pop up. Perhaps that is the issue as the H&H case tapers so much more.

 

[frog stealer]

When I converted my 3006 to a 308 Norma I had a similar problem. It was fixed by the gunsmith who machined a bit off of the inside of the magazine. The walls of the mag where exerting pressure on the cases and they would pop up. Perhaps that is the issue as the H&H case tapers so much more.

Seems to be a trend here...thanks guys! I’ll see if the mag wall is doing the same thing in my case.

 

[Shootist43]

Glad you took the "hint," I'll bet dollars to doughnuts that's where the problem lies.

 

[TByrd]

I have a Kimber 375 HH that was behaving EXACTLY as you describe. I sent to Kimber, they said it was the follower. They replaced, and it feeds smoothly as fast as I can work the bolt now. Hopefully, your issue is just as simple as follower or mag box. That’s where I’d start.

 

[frog stealer]

I have a Kimber 375 HH that was behaving EXACTLY as you describe. I sent to Kimber, they said it was the follower. They replaced, and it feeds smoothly as fast as I can work the bolt now. Hopefully, your issue is just as simple as follower or mag box. That’s where I’d start.

Thanks Tbyrd, I’ve already got one on order!