Winchester feeding problem

31 December 2007, 20:20

I have a Winchester Super Express LH in .375 H&H with a feeding issue.
I have changed the original magazine spring with a Wisner, and itâ€™s holding four down.
The bottom metal is Williams.
The problem is with the fourth on the left side and also with the third on the right side, when itâ€™s loaded with the fifth in the barrel. It doesnâ€™t have this issue with 3 down and one in the barrel. It seems like an gunsmith job, but does anybody have a clue.

31 December 2007, 20:26

470Evans

I changed the follower on mine to one that Brownells had, that fixed my problem.

01 January 2008, 02:25

doccash

Please excuse me if I'm wrong, but isn't designed for three in the magazine and one in the chamber?

01 January 2008, 04:39

svehella

My Winchester came with a magazine spring with a loop that prevents more than 3 down. If that what you mean by design.

01 January 2008, 04:54

zimbabwe

Someone used to make a floorplate with a belly in it that would allow 4 down but I believe all factory Mdl 70's only hold 3 down in 375/458 or the magnums based on the 375. You could probably find a spring and thinner follower that would also allow it. The spring would have to be very strong however. A dropped mag takes care of it easily. I modify the follower slightly on all my big bores but only to feed the last round smoother. I think the last Mdl 70's had this modification. Dave Miller showed it to me and I've done it ever since. My 375 only holds 2 down and I really have never felt handicapped by it.

01 January 2008, 18:13

WORLDHUNTER1

The Problem could be the dimentions of the magazine box, Winchester switched between at least 3 boxes that I'm aware of. Some they installed were for the 300 wby and will cause the problem you mentioned. They are to wide.

Good Luck.

01 January 2008, 20:30

dirklawyer

A quick but expensive fix is to buy Sunny Hill bottom metal that gives you a natural 4+1, problem solved. I have three left handed M70's in 375 Ruger (standard length), 416 Rem mag. and 458 Lott, all of them have the Sunny Hill bottom metal. Brownell's has them for the mag length and the standard length actions and they run around 435.00 USD.

02 January 2008, 01:24

svehella

quote:
Originally posted by zimbabwe:
Someone used to make a floorplate with a belly in it that would allow 4 down but I believe all factory Mdl 70's only hold 3 down in 375/458 or the magnums based on the 375. You could probably find a spring and thinner follower that would also allow it. The spring would have to be very strong however. A dropped mag takes care of it easily. I modify the follower slightly on all my big bores but only to feed the last round smoother. I think the last Mdl 70's had this modification. Dave Miller showed it to me and I've done it ever since. My 375 only holds 2 down and I really have never felt handicapped by it.

If you read my initial posting again you will sea that my Winchester already holds four down and with a good margin, but with a feeding issue.

02 January 2008, 01:30

svehella

quote:
Originally posted by dirklawyer:
A quick but expensive fix is to buy Sunny Hill bottom metal that gives you a natural 4+1, problem solved. I have three left handed M70's in 375 Ruger (standard length), 416 Rem mag. and 458 Lott, all of them have the Sunny Hill bottom metal. Brownell's has them for the mag length and the standard length actions and they run around 435.00 USD.

Wouldnâ€™t that required a stock change, if itâ€™s a drop belly bottom metal. Is it necessary to go to that extend for a feeding problem.