Custom rifle tough to feed from internal magazine

[supernova35]

This is my first post, I built a full custom rifle in 300WM. Ag alpine hunter stock, Defiance anti, Hawkins precision floorplate. My problem is the rifle is difficult to feed from the magazine. With three rounds it’s very difficult, to the point where you have to really force it, back it off, and run it forward it again. With 1 or 2 rounds it’s not as bad, but still not what I would call smooth. My smiths response was 3 puts a lot of stress on the internals. I know he’ll make it right if I push it, but what’s the deal? I feel like it should be smooth as butter for the amount of money spent.

 

[Justin Crossley]

Who's the gunsmith?

I wouldn't be satisfied with that answer.

 

[madcalfe]

3 puts alot of stress on the internals LMFAO

 

[Mag_7s]

What bottom metal is the stock inletted for? Remington bdl/M5 ?

 

[supernova35]

I’m not gonna name the smith. He’s a good guy, and won’t stop until I’m happy. Before I send it back I was just wondering if this is normal? No other rifle I’ve ever owned had difficulty chambering with a full mag, or even loading to max capacity. I’m not sure what it’s inletted for if I’m being 100% honest. Will things loosen up, or should I send it back?

 

[Mag_7s]

I’m not gonna name the smith. He’s a good guy, and won’t stop until I’m happy. Before I send it back I was just wondering if this is normal? No other rifle I’ve ever owned had difficulty chambering with a full mag, or even loading to max capacity. I’m not sure what it’s inletted for if I’m being 100% honest. Will things loosen up, or should I send it back?

I think I would send it back. He will likely just have to tweak the box magazine.

 

[BBob]

Depending on stock, follower, mag box, action to stock bedding height, 3 down with magnum’s can be tight. That said it can be done most of the time (not always and not always perfect) and he probably just missed checking it or felt it was good enough or the best that he could do. Talk to him and see what he thinks with what you have.

 

[DavidReed]

What is the origin of the magazine box and follower and spring? Did your gunsmith trim the box's height to get it to fit into that stock with that receiver?

You most likely have a magazine box geometry problem where manufactures try to get away with a one size fits all approach. i.e. a standard cartridge box get purposed for the belted mag and/or Jeffersy head size and kind works sometimes - but not well.

What is the width of the box at the location of the belt and the location of the shoulder

 

[6.5x284]

I would check the pillar height used and compare to the bottom metal manufacturer recommended pillar height. I've had to have several stocks inlets changed to match the Hawkins pillar height to get my rifles to feed great. In my cases, the smiths used different pillars (their own) and the height was off. You must have the pillar height the bottom metal is designed for to run reliably.

Measure yours and then lookup Hawkins and I bet you a beer they are not the same.

 

[supernova35]

I appreciate the responses, I got ahold of my smith and were gonna send it back. If I’m not happy he’s not happy kinda policy which is great.

 

[MidGAHunter]

I appreciate the responses, I got ahold of my smith and were gonna send it back. If I’m not happy he’s not happy kinda policy which is great.

You shelled out what has to be a few thousand dollars on a custom build. With all due respect, a better policy would be to not send out a rifle that doesn't feed properly.

 

[supernova35]

You shelled out what has to be a few thousand dollars on a custom build. With all due respect, a better policy would be to not send out a rifle that doesn't feed properly.

I 1k% agree, but at least he’ll make it right instead of saying sorry, tough shit.

 

[Wrangler13]

Did you use the plain oberndorf or the m5 bottom metal? You’ll want the m5 for a magnum to hold 3 in the box.

 

[BRTreedogs]

I have a high end custom 300 wm
It feeds smooth but it does not hold 3 down at all.
Its a defiance with the regular oberndorf.
He mite fix the feeding for 2 down but I don't think your gonna get 3 down.

 

[wind gypsy]

I think a lot of those aftermarket BDLs just don’t hold 3 magnum cartridges down without being stiff.

 

[BULLBLASTER]

3 down can be made to work with either inlet of hawkins bottom metal. Both centerfeed and staggerfeed.

OP is your mag box center feed or stagger feed?

 

[Ucsdryder]

I 1k% agree, but at least he’ll make it right instead of saying sorry, tough shit.

Is he paying shipping both ways? If he is then I’d be ok with it but like others have said, a gun should never leave a gunsmith with obvious issues.

 

[supernova35]

3 down can be made to work with either inlet of hawkins bottom metal. Both centerfeed and staggerfeed.

OP is your mag box center feed or stagger feed?

It’s stagger

 

[Wrench]

If you smoke a case, is it hanging the shoulder or the case body?

Sometimes it's the draft angle....but, I've seen the spring location in the bottom metal cause issues also. Sometimes sliding the spring forward or back a 1/8" can make a huge difference.

 

[BULLBLASTER]

Does it feed if you forcefully close the bolt?
Instead of trying to go slow just push it forward and close it? There really isnt that much adjustment that can be made to stagger feed mags. Moving the spring forward or back like wrench said could make a difference.