Many of you have followed my trials and tribulations in trying to get my customized Ruger M-77, RSM, Mark II to perform flawlessly. You will remember that when I got it back from the gunsmith, rechambered to 404 Jeffery, it suffered from repeated missfires, signs of excessive headspace (flattened primers)and had occasional feeding flaws (from the left side of the magazine).

The easiest solution to the headspace problem was simply to fire-form my brass by expanding the neck on new brass to create a false shoulder, firing it, and sizing it back down to where it just barely fit in my chamber. This I did, but after the second firing, the re-formed brass started missfiring again -- a real headscratcher. I sent several fired cased to different gunsmiths who all reported the same thing: the fired cases WERE 404 Jeffery and showed no sign of excessive headspace.

Since I am soon to be heading to Zimbabwe to hunt buffalo with this rifle, I decided to get to the bottom of the problem once and for all (even though I can make the rifle fire reliably with the false shoulder -- creating a very tight fit -- it just ain't right).

Two weeks ago, I took the rifle to Roger Ferrell in Fayettville, GA. Roger is pretty well known locally as a custom safari-gun builder and master gunsmith. He felt like he could get to the bottom of the problem, as well as get it feeding proberly.

Yesterday he called me with his findings: after removing the barrel and casting the chamber, he can find NO headspace problem. He then started looking at the firing pin and found that pertrusion was perfect. Then he took the bolt apart and found what might be the whole prblem --- the spring was too short and felt way too weak. This could be the reason that it took so much back-pressure on the bolt face to get it to fire. He has ordered a new spring.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!! All this heartache (and money) to find out that all I had was a weak bolt spring! It's not the final diagnosis, but he can't see any other reason it won't fire every time the trigger is pulled (he has my dies and the brass it creates is perfect.)

He is currently altering the feeding ramp to cure the feeding problem before putting it all back together. Then we will know!

If this is the whole reason for the problem, what a fool I am! I hope this is it; I just wish I could have found it out a couple of grand ago!

I really hope that this does it once and for all. I think we all have had a similar situation as yours, spending time, money, beating our heads against a wall to find out it something damn simple. Remember, if the end result you are looking for is reached, then it has all been worth it! Keep us posted.

Occam's Razor strikes again. At least you know what the problem was, and that it is fixed.

George

How about posting a contact Phone for Roger? I have a project in mind.

Joe,

Roger's phone number is (770)460-0533. I know that there are a lot of good gunsmiths around, but he's the best we have in this area.

But don't take my word for it, ask JudgeG and Mbogo375. They're the ones who turned me on to Roger.

GAHunter,

It was good to finally meet you in Reno.

I was just thinking to myself about how you were doing with your .404 Jeff, and here is the answer.

Good hunting in Zim...jim

Roger's put together a LH 416 Rem Mag on a Montana 1999 action and McMillan stock for me. We're waiting on the pop-up rear sight/scope ring set up to be able to aim the thing. I haven't fired the rifle yet but after talking to him and seeing some of his work I was sold. Even if we run into some problem I beleve he'll be able to take care of it, he's a craftsman.

GAHUNTER,
I'm not sure I have the new PM techniques down, so a reply here to let you know I sent an update on your 404.
Roger

Roger,

I had no idea you were a member of AR! Here I am bragging on you, and you get to read all about it.

I got your PM and will give you a call in couple of days. I might even leave your place and go straight to the range with a box of "loose" fitting ammo to test out the results.

Thanks for your efforts.

What is a "bolt spring?"

quote:

Originally posted by hacksawtom:
What is a "bolt spring?"

It's a hole in the ground, from which, flows bolts.

Hog Killer

I think I can make it through the day now!

If it'll make you feel better, I'll call it a firing pin spring.

Some are getting too technically correct around here, but that would be an oxymoron.

Excuse the hell of of me for asking! It was a genuine question as I have never heard a firing pin spring called a bolt spring. I don't and haven't handled the rifle in question and was wondering if there was a feature I was unaware of. Remember the only dumb question is the one never asked.

No, excuse me for taking your post wrong. Actually, you are right, "bolt spring" is a bad choice of words. It should be "the spring in the bolt" or "firing pin spring."

Whatever you call it, that little curly piece of wire the wraps around the firing pin and makes the pin go forward so the gun will go "boom" ain't strong enough to make the gun make the "boom" noise. Some folks (me among them) think the boom noise is important when hunting certain critters -- especially ones that would like to make you "one" with the African dust.

GAHUNTER
See new PM
R

Roger, where is Fayetteville. I have a project or two that may need a smith such as yourself. Thanks. D

D Hunter,

Fayetteville is about 12 miles south of the Atlanta airport (which is already on the south side of Atlanta).