Ruger M77 feeding problems

USAFpj

USAFpj

New member
I can already hear the heckling now about my choice of weaponry /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif. Please bear with me; I have the SS M77 Mark II in .270. I've been hunting in sandy desert conditions, so I thought that the feeding problem was due to this: I carry 3 Winchester balistic silvertips in the rifle; 1 in the chamber, 2 in the mag. After cleaning it, I load the three rounds and start cycling the weapon. The chambered rounds extracts flawlessly, grabs the next one, puts it in the chamber, but the bolt handle moves forward and down slightly, but is almost impossible to seat. I've never had this problem before. Isn't it normal ops to be able to cycle full rounds through without binding? Without rounds, the bolt will cycle perfectly. Any thoughts?
 
A friend had a 22-250 that did the same thing.Clean the bolt face up(plain steel wool) and see if that helps.It could have some crud that is eliminating headspace altogether.
 
Had a brand new 338 win mag M-77 mark 11 do the same thing.
Mounted the scope,went to the pit to shoot and it felt like the round would explode if you tryed to close the bolt.
Sent it back to Ruger they checked the barrel,checked extraction,headspace,and the safety.They also replaced the bolt.
The gun is fine now but you would think they would watch these things a little better.
Sent to
Sturm,Ruger & co. Inc
411 sunapee St.
Newport, NH 03773
603-865-2442
 
Did the same ammo chamber easily before it was cleaned?Sounds more like you might have some goop or crud inside the chamber preventing the round from fully entering the throat. Could also be hydraulic pressure if there is too much oil in the chamber and throat. Try cleaning the chamber with a brush and solvent and try again. The headspace may be a little tight too, but I wouldn't worry there until I'd made sure the chamber was clean and dry.
Compare a round that was shot with a fresh round. It's not likely that a factory round would be that far out of specs but it's possible.

You'll love that Ruger... and like has been said, Ruger will make it right if there is a problem!

Nikonut /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
 
Question,
1. Are these reloads or factory ammo?
2. did you have this problem before cleaning or did this just start up afterwards?
3. have you tried any other factory ammo?

BTW, not to sound stupid, but if this didn't happen before, reclean the bolt, and chamber, and the inside of the receiver. Bend a few q-tips so you can clean where the bolt lugs make contact, up by the chamber.
 
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Thanks for the help. First- Big Jake, yes I'm a PJ. To answer the rifle questions- Factory ammo, had the problem before and after cleaning, will remove bolt and attempt cleaning area again. I suspect that the first round seats well because there is no pressure on it. However, the second and third rounds perhaps get pushed forward in the mag as the first one is chambered, therefore causing binding? If it was a matter of just crud, the first round would not seat like it does.
 
Now I think I see more of the problem. Ruger uses a control feed bolt face. If there is a burr on or crud around the bolt face it can affect picking the second round up since it won't move all the way into the bolt face slots. Try cycling the bolt firmly... it does take some getting used to...
If this is the problem there should be signs of scraping on the sides of the second and third rounds. This is due to the rounds not being fully seated in the bolt face and not being lined up straight with the chamber. If you cycle a Ruger gently it will often do just as you have said. My MK77Vt in 22PPC is particularly suseptible to this due to the large diameter and short case length.

Nikonut
 


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