My old model 77 bought in the late seventies had a blade with claw extractor, so why does the plunger ejector nullify it as a true CRF?

To be a true controlled feed, the cartridge must slide up behind the claw extractor when it pops free of the magazine.It is then "controlled" by the bolt.The plunger ejector would prevent the cartridge from sliding up the bolt face with the rim behind the extractor.The tang safety Ruger 77 is the only rifle I know of that has a claw extractor, yet is not controlled feed.The early versions of the Ruger Model 77 MkII were not controlled feed but were easily converted by removing the material on the lower edge of the bolt face to allow the cartridge to slide up the bolt face.

JK,
It is not the plunger per se, but the plunger would prevent the case from seating in the bolt face until the bolt is closed, and the plunger compressed.

Actually, the old model 77 Ruger is a pushfeed because that Mauser appearing extractor doesn't snap over the case rim until the bolt is closed. There is a complete circumferential ring of steel around the boltface that prevents controlled feeding. If the bolt face were modified to be like a Mauser or M-70 Classic, the plunger ejector would then be in the way and prevent controlled feeding.

Ruger fixed all this with the later Mark II versions. The early Mark II 77's were still pushfeeds even though they had the fixed, blade type ejector like a Mauser.

I still have my old pushfeed Ruger 77 30-06, and it still shoots 1/2 MOA. My first bolt action rifle.

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Rifles And Bullets r us: RAB

My Ruger .338 Magnum M77 MK-II's bolt was not CRF when I bought it, but I sent my rifle in and they made the change for a small fee. I don't think they do that anymore.

The Ruger controlled-feed bolt in my rifle allows me to load the chamber both ways now. It will work as a true CRF bolt, but if I place a round ahead of the bolt, if will push it to the chamber. The claw pops over the rim of the case as soon as the bolt's locking lugs engage. However, I seldom load the chamber in this manner. Instead, I let the bolt grab the round as it pops out of the magazine.

I have both original bolts, but I prefer the CRF one.

[This message has been edited by Ray, Alaska (edited 11-17-2001).]

Thanks guys, JK.

I received an e-mail on this subject from somebody here, but I was having trouble trying to answer to it from within Netscape. The question was about "how much force was needed on my rifle's bolt in order for the claw to slip over a round in the chamber."

Answer: If I want to "push-feed' a round with the CRF bolt of my Ruger .338 Magnum, I can do so without any problem. Once the bolt pushes the round into the chamber, as soon as I move the bolt down to lock it in place the claw makes a "clicking" sound as it slips over the rim of the case. Not much force is needed to accomplish that, since the front edge of the claw is bevelled exactly like the claw of a BSA (British) rifle.

Keep in mind that the non-CRF bolt of this rifle push-feeds the round into the chamber, then the claw slips over the rim of the case when the bolt is moved down. The only difference between the CRF and the non-CRF bolts is that the CRF one allows the rim of the case to slip under the claw as soon as the round is release from the magazine. It will hold the case with the claw, and even if you turn the rifle on its side (ejection port down) the case won't drop on the ground.

Whenever I push-feed a round into the chamber (regardless of what bolt I use), then decide to turn the rifle on its side (port down), the round will drop on the ground. The CRF will "feed" or "push-feed" a round, while the non-CRF will only "push-feed."

Since loading the chamber with the rounds in the magazine is so easy, I prefer not to "push-feed" rounds into it.

[This message has been edited by Ray, Alaska (edited 11-19-2001).]

The control round feed uses a claw extractor that during feeding as the round leaves the magazine it slips under the extractor. The good point to this, is that if your standing on your head the round will still feed without jamming.
The push feed is just that. Once the round leaves the magazine its free to go its own way. Although it happens rarely, this may result in a failure to feed. I hope that this will be of some help.

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BigBob