I have a Win 70 that has been rebarreled to 330 Dakota (404 based) and although it will hold 3 in the magazine, it will not feed the top cartridge very well if there are 3 in there (2 is no problem, and it feeds very well with only 2 down, but...). The cartridges are relatively loose at the base, but very tight at the shoulder. I believe the problem can be fixed pretty easily, but would like to know if anyone else has run into the problem, and if so, what was done to correct it. I know that Win chambered the RUMs, so is it just as simple as replacing the follower, the mag well or both with one of those (even though the RUM cartridges are longer), or can the existing follower be massaged to accomplish the same thing?
What was the original chambering? I converted a classic .300 WinMag to .404J and replaced the magazine with a .375 box and the follower with a brownells Magnum follower and still had to have Dennis Olson re-work the feed rails. It is now slicker than snot on a brass doorknob.
"I ask, sir, what is the Militia? It is the whole people. To disarm the people is the best and most effective way to enslave them" - George Mason, co-author of the Second Amendment during the Virginia convention to ratify the Constitution
Posts: 1699 | Location: San Antonio, TX | Registered: 14 April 2004
It sounds like a stacking problem. I would try the follower first...
_______________________________________________________________________________ This is my rifle, there are many like it but this one is mine. My rifle is my best friend, it is my life.
I have a 330 Dakota built on a M70 Classic action which was originally a 7mm RM. The problem was the mag box, I replaced the box with an original 300 RUM box from Winchester and the binding problem went away, I also replaced the bolt stop and ejector from the RUM and all is well, the follower is still the original. I only use two in the box anyway but feeding is smoother and there is absolutely no binding, no work was done on the rails or ramp.The RUM box is cut away to relieve the cartridges at the top it is kind of like the window box mags in the Rem SAUM actions. bigbull
Posts: 406 | Location: CANADA | Registered: 06 April 2004
I am not sure what the original chambering was, and as far as I know, if the original owner can't tell you (I bought it used), you will never know. I have looked online for manufacturing date and chambering information, but have not been able to find anything. The rifle is a Classic Featherweight, so I am guessing it probably started out as something based on the 30-06 case, but don't know for sure.
It feels like it just needs extra room in the shoulder area. My first thought was that either replacing the follower or massaging it a little, would gain extra depth, and that would give me enough room so that the spring would put the cartridge in the correct orientation to be picked up from the magazine. But, I also wondered if I actually needed width instead since the rounds are so fat. I guess bigbulls experience is pretty much along the lines of what I was thinking, but since I am unsure of the original chambering, I might have to replace the follower also (is the follower for a mag cartridge different than for a standard, and if so, how do you tell which one you have?). Did the replacement of the mag box require you to change the bolt stop, or did you just do it because it was available? Anyone have a mag box and follower for a RUM available?
The last 330 Dakota case I built a rifle on was a Rem 700 and come to think of it, I had to use the RUM box with the windows. Depending on how crafty you were, you might beable to cut the windows in your existing box to allow the stack to relax. If you need some insrtructions, PM me.
_______________________________________________________________________________ This is my rifle, there are many like it but this one is mine. My rifle is my best friend, it is my life.
Change out the magazine box to the one for the RUM and I would get the follower also. The original follower may work but it will be very short. Usually the follower only affects the last round in the magazine and the magazine controls the cartridge stack. The RUM magazine is cut out to change the stack under the feed lips.
Headache
Posts: 158 | Location: Danbury, CT 06810 USA | Registered: 25 March 2002
Usually the follower only affects the last round in the magazine and the magazine controls the cartridge stack.
It takes both. The follower orients the first round which all others stack upon, and the magazine width maintains the stack.
_______________________________________________________________________________ This is my rifle, there are many like it but this one is mine. My rifle is my best friend, it is my life.
I picked up a RUM box off of ebay, but will need a source for the follower and the bolt stop. Anyone know who carries those? For another option, I saw a box on Midway's website that had the triangular windows cut out (I think this is basically what Westpac is referring to above). Do you guys think that cutting these windows out of the current magazine would work?
Sorry, I've been in and out of the shop a lot over the past few days. Here is what the windows look like and how the cartridges stack with the additional room at the shoulders.
_______________________________________________________________________________ This is my rifle, there are many like it but this one is mine. My rifle is my best friend, it is my life.
That is exactly what the one on Midway's site looked like. I think I can make that cut in pretty short order with a drill press and a Dremel. Can you give me some rough dimensions for the cut?
I have exactly the same feeding problem with my model 70 super-shadow in .270 WSM. No one has ever been able to help me resolve it. Two cartridges, no problems---three--forget it. I'd really be curious to know if the suggested remedy works for you.
Don't let so much reality into your life that there's no room left for dreaming.
Posts: 263 | Location: SE Colorado | Registered: 24 May 2001
The "windows" or "cutouts" on the 300 RUM model 70 mag box are different than shown above. Mine is at the smith right now, but if someone has one thay can shoot a pic of that would be great. The cutouts are along the top sides and front of the box leaving a small triangular shaped "leg" right before the box curves around the front corner to align the box. This allows the stack to open up at the top edge under the rail for better purchase on the shoulder I would think. This discription would make a whole lot more sense if I had a stinking picture.
Posts: 496 | Location: ME | Registered: 08 May 2003
Well, I put the Ultramag magazine in, and it feeds better than it did, but it is not as reliable as I would like. It works sometimes - if I am careful about placing the cartridges in the magazine, I can get it to feed, but it is still not good enough to hunt with. The magazine is the same length as the one that was in the gun when I bought it - so no modifications were necessary to get it to fit. It gave me more room in the shoulder area, but it is still tight. I am not sure if more room in the shoulder would help (modifying the follower), or if more spring pressure at the base of the cartridge to hold it up for the bolt is the answer. Suggestions are welcome.
Send it to someone who is a feeding specialist. It may require altering the area beneath the feed rails to accomodate that particular round. Trying to house a round that is dimensionally different than the one the receiver was designed for calls for special, sometimes irreversible procedures.
_______________________________________________________________________________ This is my rifle, there are many like it but this one is mine. My rifle is my best friend, it is my life.
