Northrunner
Member
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2011
- Messages
- 11
Help With "Flatbolt" Problem??
I recently bought a nice M77 "Flatbolt", .308 mfg in 1969. I have not shot it yet and last night I loaded up a few rounds for it (Nosler 165 grn. Partition, new Federal case, COL @ 2.80"). I put 3 rounds in the mag to see how the length felt and to make sure it cycled properly. Well it does not feed correctly. First round feeds okay, but the second round is the problem. As the tip of the bullet contacts the feed ramp, there is some resistance and as I put more forward pressure on the bolt, the bolt rides up over the case. At that point I have a jam. Magazine looks fine-not bent, it all looks like my newer M77 Tang-Safety .257 Ultralight. Only thing that looks a little different is that the feed ramp on the Flatbolt does look a little steeper than the Ultralight.
I'm gonna stop by my local gunsmith and get his opinion. I also called Ruger just in case the steep feed ramp was a problem they new about, but as soon as I mentioned that I was using reloads the guy instantly tells me Ruger doesn't recommend anything but factory ammo in any of their guns and that my reloads are probably the problem. Geeezz, factory Nosler bullet, factory new Federal case, loaded to factory spec length. My load should feed just like a "factory" loaded round. Kid at Ruger sounded young too, probably didn't even know what a "flatbolt" is.
Anyway, any ideas??? Thanks...
I recently bought a nice M77 "Flatbolt", .308 mfg in 1969. I have not shot it yet and last night I loaded up a few rounds for it (Nosler 165 grn. Partition, new Federal case, COL @ 2.80"). I put 3 rounds in the mag to see how the length felt and to make sure it cycled properly. Well it does not feed correctly. First round feeds okay, but the second round is the problem. As the tip of the bullet contacts the feed ramp, there is some resistance and as I put more forward pressure on the bolt, the bolt rides up over the case. At that point I have a jam. Magazine looks fine-not bent, it all looks like my newer M77 Tang-Safety .257 Ultralight. Only thing that looks a little different is that the feed ramp on the Flatbolt does look a little steeper than the Ultralight.
I'm gonna stop by my local gunsmith and get his opinion. I also called Ruger just in case the steep feed ramp was a problem they new about, but as soon as I mentioned that I was using reloads the guy instantly tells me Ruger doesn't recommend anything but factory ammo in any of their guns and that my reloads are probably the problem. Geeezz, factory Nosler bullet, factory new Federal case, loaded to factory spec length. My load should feed just like a "factory" loaded round. Kid at Ruger sounded young too, probably didn't even know what a "flatbolt" is.
Anyway, any ideas??? Thanks...
