Problem feeding from internal magazine

[jruby]

I have a BSA model D 1917 enfield sporter in 30-06. I am having problems feeding from the internal magazine. It does not want to feed from the left hand side of the magazine at all. Feeds well from the right side. Any thoughts.

 

[Grumpy gumpy]

Possibly change projectiles to a different shape, ie; round to spitzer etc. if it then feeds you know it’s most likely a feed ramp issue
Gumpy

 

[jruby]

Possibly change projectiles to a different shape, ie; round to spitzer etc. if it then feeds you know it’s most likely a feed ramp issue
Gumpy

I have been using hornady 180g interlocks. Will try some round nose. Thinking it might be the follower, the leaf spring or both. Thanks

 

[Grumpy gumpy]

The projectile is the first step , watch how it feeds as you chamber a round and see where it goes wrong, unlikely to be the follower unless someone has messed with it before, a failing spring is a possibility as is a bad extractor (though unlikely)
Gumpy

 

[Ontario Hunter]

That military gun was designed for 30-06. 200 gr I believe. Your rails should be okay. Incorrect follower would only affect final round in magazine. I suspect a cleaning issue? Also check the extractor or bolt face for burr on that side.

I presume the cartridges on left side are not jumping the rail onto the bolt face in time to keep the point of bullet from jamming in the chamber? I had this problem when I built my 404 on 8mm 98 Mauser. Eventually determined the extractor, which I'm sure was not original equipment, had too much tension. I relieved some of the spring tension by bending the extractor and now cartridges jump to the bolt face like magic. But be careful. If not enough tension the claw may jump off cartridge rim and leave fired case in the chamber.

A clue that my extractor had too much tension should have been the extreme difficulty trying to remove or reattach it to bolt while I was in process of reshaping the claw to take 404 rim. Bloody impossible to get the extractor off the bolt and then back on again. Had to use a screwdriver to pry it off when it should not require more than finger pressure.

 

[Nhoro]

Check the bottom edge of the left locking lug. The left bullet slides up the corner of the lug and onto the bolt face it might have a burr or need a gentle radius. I had that problem before. The right side has the extractor which can have a similar problem but feeding off the right rail. Polishing the underside of the rail can also help the cartridge pop out. I would start there before doing any work on the rails. A video of the problem might help.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Check the bottom edge of the left locking lug. The left bullet slides up the corner of the lug and onto the bolt face it might have a burr or need a gentle radius. I had that problem before. The right side has the extractor which can have a similar problem but feeding off the right rail. Polishing the underside of the rail can also help the cartridge pop out. I would start there before doing any work on the rails. A video of the problem might help.

I think you are onto something here. If it was an extractor tension issue, both sides would be affected, I would think.

I'm going to steal a page from Duane Wiebe's excellent booklet on converting 98 Mauser to 375 H&H. He explains modifying the bolt face better than I could and graphics help. It is possible this is where cartridges on the left side are hanging up.

We need to keep in mind that Model 1917 design started out as P14 Enfield. Originally it was 303 British caliber that US manufacturers converted to 30-06 when US entered WWI. The 303 rim was much wider. I presume the inletting into 30-06 bolt face was reduced in diameter to securely hold that caliber vs 303 (I only have a P14 to look at). It is possible that the rim holding ridge excess was not trimmed properly on left side. 303 bolt diameter would be a lot wider than a typical 30-06 bolt so there should be a more significant ridge on the bolt face than one might see on a typical 30-06 like Springfield or 8mm Mauser.

Incidentally, I have no machine shop and did all modifications to bolt face, extractor, receiver, rails, feeding ramp, and bottom metal with Dremel tool. No one ever described me as faint of heart!

 

[WCFMetalsmith]

The top of the magazine box on the 1917 has a small half moon upwards lip
This lip goes into matching cuts in the receiver.
Check to make sure the receiver is clean in that area.
Also make sure the sidewall of the magazine box is straight and not bent inwards

If the left sidewall is bent inwards it will cause the feeding issue you describe

WCF

 

[jruby]

Thanks all for the guidance I will take a more detailed look. What I saw when I was at the range did not make sense to me. Sure shot well I may use this rifle this fall if I can figure it out.

 

[Nhoro]

I think you are onto something here. If it was an extractor tension issue, both sides would be affected, I would think.

I'm going to steal a page from Duane Wiebe's excellent booklet on converting 98 Mauser to 375 H&H. He explains modifying the bolt face better than I could and graphics help. It is possible this is where cartridges on the left side are hanging up.
View attachment 756870
We need to keep in mind that Model 1917 design started out as P14 Enfield. Originally it was 303 British caliber that US manufacturers converted to 30-06 when US entered WWI. The 303 rim was much wider. I presume the inletting into 30-06 bolt face was reduced in diameter to securely hold that caliber vs 303 (I only have a P14 to look at). It is possible that the rim holding ridge excess was not trimmed properly on left side. 303 bolt diameter would be a lot wider than a typical 30-06 bolt so there should be a more significant ridge on the bolt face than one might see on a typical 30-06 like Springfield or 8mm Mauser.

Incidentally, I have no machine shop and did all modifications to bolt face, extractor, receiver, rails, feeding ramp, and bottom metal with Dremel tool. No one ever described me as faint of heart!

That is it exactly, my CZ hung up on that exact spot. Magazine box bent inwards will cause rounds to jump out of the action. Bowed outwards causes rounds to stick under the rail. In essence, you are changing the width of the magazine box. That could possibly be your problem.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

That is it exactly, my CZ hung up on that exact spot. Magazine box bent inwards will cause rounds to jump out of the action. Bowed outwards causes rounds to stick under the rail. In essence, you are changing the width of the magazine box. That could possibly be your problem.

Hmmm. 1917 had two piece bottom metal. I wonder if the mag box could be installed off kilter?

Edit: I see WCF has already thought this out on same lines.