223 Bolt Action feed issue

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Onewolf

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I took my new 223 build to the range last weekend and everything worked great except I had a significant issue getting rounds to feed into the chamber. It's a (new from Northland Shooter Supply) Savage varmint action with a McGowen 223 barrel, PTG 223 bolt head in a Choate stock. I had the same problem feeding either from the Savage 223 magazine or single feeding. The tip of the bullet (A-Max 75) hits end of the barrel just below the entrance to the chamber. If I 'manually' feed the bullet tip into the chamber it will chamber fine when closing the bolt.

Here's a photo of where the tip of the bullet gets 'stuck' right below the chamber:

IMG_3701.jpg

And here's the Savage 223 magazine:

IMG_3712.gif

IMG_3711.gif

Any advice/suggestions on how to get 223 rounds to feed/chamber better? Ideally I would like to get a 10 round magazine that feeds reliably.

I have not experienced this problem with my other Savage based rifle builds.
 
Have you noticed that changing the bolt speed changes the angle of the tip as it leaves the magazine?
 
I'm not very familiar with savage centerfire actions but I will take a guess that either the magazine is not presenting the round at the correct angle to feed into the chamber, or the action is not for .223 rem.
On any bolt action chambered in .223 rem that I have seen or used, the action has a feed ramp machined into it that lets the round glance off allowing the round to angle into the chamber properly.
 
You also might be able to take a pair of pliers and open the top of the clip a little.It would possibly let the shell to get a little better angle, and line up with the chamber better.
 
That barrel looks pretty rough...perhaps a bit of smoothing would let the tip slide up easier into the chamber rather than sticking.
 
If that was a Colt 1911 feed ramp, I'd get the emery paper out and smooth is up, a lot.

kwg
 
You will need to adjust the magazine feed lips at the top of the magazine. Those centerfeed magazines are known for feeding problems. I've had to adjust everyone that I have to get reliable feeding in all of my centerfeed Savages.
Also,If you hand load,and try to seat the longer bullets close to the lands,you can also have this problem. You will have to seat the bullets deeper until they will properly feed,or just load them one at a time by hand.
 
JackSprat said:
You also might be able to take a pair of pliers and open the top of the clip a little.It would possibly let the shell to get a little better angle, and line up with the chamber better.
Click to expand...
Yes, but only at the front so the bullet comes up. Too far back and you'll end up with a potential "fountain" where ALL rounds will spurt from the magazine when the bolt is retracted.

If that were MY rifle I'd be smoothing the concentric grooves at the bottom of the breech. Create a smooth surface for rounds to enter the chamber.

But then again, I don't own Savage's.
 
If you hand load, make yourself some action proving dummies. Watch as they feed. If the bullet nose dives on the way in, its probably the magazine lips. If it just doesn't go high enough to clear the chamber mouth then the magazine just isn't high enough.

Whenever someone offers me a penny for my thoughts I always give them my two cents worth.
 
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