Earlier today, I took my new CZ 550 chambered in .416 Rigby to the range. After several rounds, I began to experience feeding problems. When chambering a round, the cartridge hangs up on the bolt rail prior to entering the chamber. The casing appears to be jamming against the bolt rail (ejection side of action)approximately 1/4" above the cartridge rim. I also noted that the bolt rail tapers down in width and that the jamming is occurring just before the rail tapers. I will take the rifle to my gunsmith later this week. Question - Is this an easy fix/repair? Thanks in advance for your feedback!

People have had that problem when the bullets are of different varieties. Does this happen no matter if softs or solids, weight differences?

Some guys fixed the problem with judicious smoothing of where the mag box joins the throat area. (I am NOT a 'smith.)

Bnagle, thanks for your feedback! Although I have both Federal 400 grain Sledgehammer solids and Federal 400 grain TBBC's, I tried the Federal TBBC's. I have not tried the Federal Sledgehammer solids.

I may have been remembering something from this thread...

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/...php/topics/6408308/1

The only feeding problem I have had with my CZ 550 Safari Magnum in .416 Rigby was with RHINO monometal 400-grainers. That was an ogive issue and simply seating them deeper took care of it. Dummy round with Sledgehammers feeds fine.

BNagel, thanks for your feedback and link to 24hourcampfire. Apparently I am experiencing the same issue with my CZ 550 rifle. I pulled out my box of Sledgehammers and TTCB's and chambered/ejected both boxes of ammo thru the rifle with only one round in the magazine, and then two rounds in the magazine, and then three rounds in the magazine. With the exception of a couple of rounds, all rounds chambered and ejected without issue. Not too excited about playing Russian Roulette with a DG rifle, so I will take the rifle to my gunsmith on Tuesday. Hopefully, with a little polishing here and there, he will be able to resolve the issue. Again, thanks for your feedback and link. Regards

Good man.

I got my CZ 416 Rigby a couple of months ago. Same issue along with a rough bolt travel. You can check my thread out http://forums.accuratereloadin...801038581#1801038581.


Check this as well - http://forums.accuratereloadin...101063581#2101063581

Wayne at AHR was very kind to help with an email and regular help including his comments on my photos which i sent hi.

My rilfe now works as slik as my 100+ year old Simson Mauser 98.

The deep scratches on the ammo case can be reduced significantly by just using 240 to 400 gr wet & dry to round out and smoothen the edges.

I found the whole exercise very easy to do and really enjoyed the final result.

Good luck with your new rifle.

Nakihunter, thanks for your post and links to earlier postings related to .416 Rigby feeding issues!

You are welcome.

BTW - I just read the OP again and see that you rechambered the rifle. Is it a new barrel or a 416 Rem or Taylor with a Rigby reamer run through?

The reason I ask is - is it a magnum action? What is the magazine? You might be having problems with the feeding rails if the rifle was made for a differnt case and the diamensions are differnt.

I am no expert on this matter - but just a thought.