I had the exact same problem with a Tikka M695 338WM. I unsuccessfully tried to bend the follower/magazine spring. The only fix was to replace the magazine (free from Stoeger Canada) it has never failed to feed the 2nd or 3rd round since.

I shoulda saw that one comin'.....

The back of the follower/cartridges is/are hanging up on the joint between the mag box and the receiver. Smooth out/chamfer the edge of the receiver.

I'm having consistent feeding problems in my Win M70 classic. I load three cartridges and chamber the first one A-OK but when I eject it, the base of the 2nd and/or 3rd round remains below the bolt face 90% of the time. Here's a few pics -



Correct position of follower -





How my follower looks most of the time, until I correct it with my fingers -





How the 2nd and 3rd round come up 90% of the time -





Bolt misses the base of the cartridge -





So.....is this easy to permanently fix?



The gun is full-length bedded to a McMillan stock but shoots like crap (tried 4 types of factory ammo - best groups are 2+ inches).



Any recommendations (besides selling it and buying a Rem 700 )??

Brother Nebraskan

I am having the same problem with my WSM. The magazine box is too tight at the shoulder. Until you (and I) can get it fixed, make sure you load the cartridges into the magazine by inserting the cartridges all the way to the rear of the mag and depress the newly loaded cartridge at the shoulder area so as to not bind the rear of the shell down too low for the bolt to pick it up.

I think the resolution of this problem is a wider magazine box. Dad burn it.

Why not give Winchester a chance to fix the feeding ?



Did it feed bad in the factory stock ?



You say it is full length bedded ? That includes the barrel ? If so , I would try free floating or a pressure point at the forend tip........factory loads often don't shoot much better than 2 inches for me ............



On second thought , is that a WSM ? The cartridge looks short and fat.........if so , didn't everyone tell you those dam things won't feed ?........(grin)

#1 replace the follower spring
#2 call winchester if it's still more or less a factory gun
#3 order a wsm follower and a 458 magbox from brownells

jeffe

Hey Nebraska, Look in your "Owner's Manual" for the closest Warranty Repair Center and give them a call. Chances are one is within a days drive of you. They should be able to correct the problem while you wait for it.

Always aggravating to have a "new" rifle come out of the box with problems. I see a lot of "Feed Problem" posts with the "Controlled Feed" M70s, but it happens with all of them from time to time. Last one I had a Feed Problem on was a "Removable Magazine" M700. A few "adjustment whammings" on one retention flange with the old Flange Adjustment Tool (rubber mallet) cured it.

The thing that is interesting to me is that Controlled Feed is touted as such a HUGE RELIABILITY issue by their fans. I've not counted, but it sure seems like there are more "reported" Feed Problems with the Controlled Feed M70s than the Push Feed of any make.

Anyway, the Warranty Center can fix you up.

I have experienced the same problem a time or two and the usual culprit is the action. The cartridge may be hanging up near the rim/belt in the bottom of the action. When you have one that the bolt passes over, check to see if it is stopping its upward travel by some portion of the action. Also, try to nudge the offending round forward a bit with some sort of pick and see if it pops up. If so, it is definitely the action.

Jim

I have a Montana in .375 that had the same feeding problems. They sent me a follower with slightly different dimensions and feeds perfectly now..

I encountered the same problem when my Win 70 .338 Win Mag was new. Unless the bolt was actioned sharply, the bolt would often ride over the top ctg. I stoned the sides of the cast follower and deburred the underside of the feed rails. Problem gone and rifle feeds much more smoothly.

Just went out and took a close look at mine to see what the problem was, for sure. I have a WSM so it may be different than yours (though I doubt it). After closer inspection, I could see it was always the left cartridge in the box. The two right hand cartridges don't give the problem. What is happening with mine is the rim of the left cartridge is hanging up under the ejector. It doesen't do it every time, but its enough to be troublesome. I will try a couple of things and get back to you when I figure out how to fix the problem.

Check yours and see if that is it. Let me know.

I'm just a novice at this, but is it possible that the action screws are torquing the action and causing problems? Did it have the feeding problem prior to the MacMillan stock? Just wondering if the different stock, etc. might have something to do with it.

Like I said, just a novice so it's more of a question than a suggestion

Nebraska,



Can you post some more of those good pictures? Perhaps one of the extractor without a cartridge in the action.



I have a SS M70 Classic in 7mm WSM that has always fed well. I will try to post some pics of mine.



This action will even feed empties.