Boy am I frustrated. A couple of months ago,I sent my 416 to my gunsmith to install a better pad, bedding job and the action honed. Mind you this rifle was and continues to be a tack driver, shooting practically "one holers" with hand loaded Swifts and Hornady solids. Well the gunsmith told me that the gun had a "problem" feeding. When you are closing the bolt, if you were to shove the bolt handle outwards ( as in fast reloading) which makes the bolt head push against the left side of the action, the bolt sticks right before it goes into the breech and it sticks hard.

He claimed that it was a Ruger problem in that the action was "too wide" forcing the bolt to fall of to the left side. It only does it if you purposely "push out" on the bolt, but it wasn't there before. I think he probably took to much of the left side. I have been "living" with it, but I was at the range today "combat reloading" ( as fast as I could cycle the bolt and it was just sticking like crazy. Allen Day originally suggested I send the rifle to Mark Penrod...and I SHOULD HAVE LISTENED! He considers Mark one ofthe best mauser action man in the business.

Well, I spoke with Mark this morning and the gun is on the way, but I'm pissed at myself. Should I have left the damned thing alone as it was from the factory and just accepted the hard recoil pad, slightly rough action and the possibility of the stock cracking?

The sad part of all this is that the gun continues to shoot incredible groups, but the way I look at it, I didn't want the thing jamming up at the wrong time, like looking down at M'Bogo. I've never had to "mess" with a rifle before so I suppose Winchesters and Weatherbys have spoiled me. If it wasn't for the fact that I have so much money and time invested in the 416 Rigby caliber, I'd shitcan the whole thing and go out and buy a Model 70 in 416 Remington. grrrrrr! Thanks for letting me "vent" guys, but I am one frustrated gent right now! jorge

First of all, I doubt he "took" too much off. Rugers are investment cast, and more than likely all he took off was casting fuzz. Of all of the rugers I have ever looked at, I thought every single one of them had sloppy bolts, which is why I never purchased one. (but that is just my opinion and there are people far more knowledgeable than me on the subject)

Suffice it to say, I certainly would not "scrap" the whole thing. If worse came to worse, I would just purchase a new Ruger action and go from there rather than scrap the barrel and stock and everything else that you have put into it.

As far as being frustrated, you don't need anyone else to tell you what to do about it, but when I get real frustrated I try to take a look at all of those who are much much less fortunate than myself and all of a sudden I get pretty humble. After all, there are millions, if not billions, of people in this world who cannot even affored to own a Ruger Rifle.

Blue

Blue,

I think Jorge knows enough about rifles than to hear you pull something out of your anus (not the planet) in regards to what more than likely is wrong with his action.

Jorge, before you consider all lost I still would heed the advice of Allen Day and send that action off to Penrod in North Manchester and see if the day can be saved. What do you have to lose at this point? Even if the action can't be saved I'm sure mark could give you an expert analysis to determine whether their was an existing condition with that action on it was no fault of the smith. Or if the problem was induced by your smith.

Here is the lame quote of the day that made me laugh. Ah the bleeding hearts of the world blue. Yeah I�m sure billions of individuals pity the fact that they can�t own a Ruger rifle. Blue, are you sure you aren�t liberal?

Quote:

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�After all, there are millions, if not billions, of people in this world who cannot even afford to own a Ruger Rifle.�

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Alvinmack

If he knows enough than to hear from me as to what to do, then he sure in the hell knows enough than to hear from you as to what to do.

I am not liberal. Rather, I am much older and wiser than you.

Blue

Jorge, at least you don't have to deal with a rifle like the turkey custom Model 70 .416 Remington I had built some years ago by S!@$#%*&^% down in Arizona. That rifle was the worst customized-catastrophy I've ever had built by anyone, and it was a waste of a good action, barrel, and a lovely piece of English walnut. When I received it, it wouldn't feed worth a damn, the open sights were canted, and after I sent the rifle back for correction, it came back worse than when it went in! A factory Remington 700 in .416 Rem. would have likely been much better, and I've shot a few specimens of which that WERE.

Before you get overly worried, let Mark have at your rifle for a bit. He can pull out a variety of miracles, and I don't think yours sounds like a problem that can't be properly solved to your satisfaction.

You might mention to Mark that this is a true dangerous game rifle that you'll be trusting your life to, and that you'd like him to test feeding and function in the most severe, demanding, and thorough manner possible. Actions are funny in that everything can work great at the range, but start working the bolt hard and fast at high-noon and all of a sudden the latent problems show up.

Penrod will make things right, wait and see. I've known him for over ten years, and he's one of the very best and most capable men I know of anywhere.

AD

Alvin: Thanks for the support. I DID send the rifle off to Mark Today, overnight! Allen, I should have listened to you in the first place. I used a page out of your "playbook" and told him basically what you just expoused, that it was for dangeorus game use. I sent him some dummy rounds like he asked. He intimated over the phone that it was probably a simple fix, some polishing of the left side of the breech or something and I should have it back in a week or so. I did tell him to go ahead and make the whole thing right.

Blue, I appreciate your comments regarding the action not being a total loss, but am a "glass is half empty" kind of guy. It keeps me motivated to strive for more and I really don't concern myself with the billions of the "great unwashed." Not trying to be Patrician, I'm just telling you how I really think. I earned what I have through hard work, not providence. jorge

Well kid, I know I am older, so thats not debatable. As far as wiser, I think 20 or so more years of experience in life, and the kind of experience I have had, makes me a bit wiser, but of course that is subjective. If you want to debate off this site let me know.

Blue

Jorge,
Mark has done some work for me and I can tell you if it can be fixed he will do it and will do it right.

Now if it can't be fixed the one thing I will tell you is that Ruger's customer service is first rate and VERY prompt. I've only sent them things to fix twice (both handgun related) and they repaired the problem and got the gun back to me in less than 2 weeks door to door.
If you send something back to Remington you can mark your calender into the next season before you will see it back...seems like they always take 3 to 4 months.

Finally, don't fret anyone telling you a Ruger's bolt is "loose." So is a Mauser. There is a reason for that. And it has nothing to do with sloppy fit.

My Ruger .375 H&H Safari Magnum is accurate like your 416! And they come with decent triggers and nice wood. My very first rifle over 25 years ago was a tang safety M77 and I have yet to own another 7mm, 30 cal or 270 cal rifle that can match the accuracy of that gun and the only thing I've ever done to it is adjust the factory trigger. It will routinely put 5 130 grain bullets in a cloverleaf.

Sometimes we mess with things that ought to be left alone. I'm guilty of it as anyone. Mark will be getting my CZ550 in .416 soon to take some creep out of the trigger and for a bead blast/satin blue and a NEGC front sight and barrel band. The CZ is also a fine shooter. And most of my mods are cosmetic (except for the trigger which isn't really THAT bad.)

Don't sweat it. Ruger will help you if it doesn't work out even if your smith was the cause. It may cost you a little but they are very good about taking care of their customers in situations like yours.

Jorge, I'll take that POS off your hands if it can't be fixed.

It would be a prime candidate for a conversion to 470 Mbogo. By the way, I'll break down and give you a couple of pesos for it since you're a nice guy.

"If you want to debate off this site let me know.

Blue"

Is this a pay-per-view event?


I certainly hope the action turns out well. I know the frustration first hand.

Jorge,
Sorry to hear about the problems. I think Allen has given you a good direction with Mark Penrod. Penrod has an excellent reputation from everything I have ever heard. I am sure he will find a fix or at least not waste your money in the process.

Alvinmack

I wa working on rifles when you were in Diapers. Anybody that wants to come over and see my mausers is certainly welcome. Give me a call. I don't have a digital camera or scanner. Only a Hasselblad 500CW and a Sinar F 8 x 10 view camera.

By the way Alvinmack, isn't it past your bedtime?

Blue

Is that all you got? Lame! I've had enough of your gas.



Oh hey I was wondering if I could get any of these custom stocks you do blue. Especially with your VAST experience. I'm sure they look great!!!

Alvinmack

I don't think I have ever said that I do fancy custom stocks. Most of the stocks I have done have been semi-inlet, and they have been from plain wood.

Anyway, I have had enough of your gas as well. Kids should be seen and not heard.

Blue

Ah attacking my age because you have nothing else on me. Big man you are there Typical chickenshit lawyer move if you ask me. You're just a bottom feeder my friend. You proved that because you couldn't win the argument on merit. Instead of chose the route of attacking me on anything you had. Truely the act of a Coward. I pray for you.



-Mike

Mike

Thank you for praying for me. I need all of the prayers I can get.

Blue

Kentucky Nimrod, et, al. I'm pretty confident that Mark can fix the problem, it seems like a little champhering on the left side will take care of it. But if it can't be fixed, I'll keep it, I can work around the problem, it's really not that bad, I'm just being a bit anal I guess. I will certainly report back when I get it back and if I have to send it back to Ruger I'll do it. thanks again for all the tips. jorge

NO PROBLEM!! Just kill your M'Bogo and Tembo with the first shot, like you wound if you were shooting with a No. 1!!