Weatherby Mark V (late 70's Japanese) magazine feeding problem

[AlaskaGrizz]

As a daily reader and very seldom writer, I submit my gunsmithing problem to others here more knowledgable. I recently acquired a late 70's Weatherby Mark V (Japanese) LH in .300. I fired this rifle perhaps 10x after acquiring, to check function, accuracy and scope zero. It appeared to function fine at that time. I only very recently discovered that with three rounds in the magazine and bolt closed, when the bolt is cycled to chamber a round and brought fully aft...not one but TWO rounds are released, causing both jamming the action and failure to feed. This is my first Weatherby, but have owned countless other lot guns over the last 40 years...and have never before encountered this before. After very serious inspection (40 year A&P) I cannot find issue with either the magazine lips nor bolt assembly.

I have other rifles to chase our Mat Valley moose with, but would sure like to resolve this problem (if possible) hopefully without having to take it to my gunsmith Stan Jackson. I kindly ask those on this forum with gunsmithing knowledge and experience on bolt actions (specifically the Mark V) for your input. Thank you in advance for anticipated input and good luck to all Alaskans in filling this years freezer.

 

[ADfields]

Is there a magazine in the stock?

 

[AlaskaGrizz]

Yes, the magazine box well is properly installed in the stock.

 

[ADfields]

It gets very tricky from there then. You may have the wrong follower in there for the cartridge, hard to tell so may be worth ordering a replacement. The next simple thing is spring tension, too much or to little can both cause this. Very likely someone tinkered with the rails at some point. You could spend a bunch of money tinkering with it and accomplish not a thing . . . best advice is take it or send it to someone good at fixing feeding problems and get back a rifle you will be happy with.

 

[Smitty of the North]

It gets very tricky from there then. You may have the wrong follower in there for the cartridge, hard to tell so may be worth ordering a replacement. The next simple thing is spring tension, too much or to little can both cause this. Very likely someone tinkered with the rails at some point. You could spend a bunch of money tinkering with it and accomplish not a thing . . . best advice is take it or send it to someone good at fixing feeding problems and get back a rifle you will be happy with.

How do you find someone "good at fixing feeding problems"?

In this case, I might be inclined to send it to Weatherby. ?????

Smitty of the North

 

[Smitty of the North]

Yes, the magazine box well is properly installed in the stock.

And, the follower and spring, not backwards. ?

Smitty of the North

 

[AlaskaGrizz]

Both magazine follower and spring installed correctly and function fine with only two rounds in the magazine when cycled from an empty chamber. It acts as though three rounds causes too much spring pressure?

 

[Smitty of the North]

I understand. I have a, perhaps similar problem with a Mauser.

I'd like to find a Gunsmith who was GOOD, and willing to work on BA feeding problems.

Smitty of the North

 

[pipercub]

Try some new rounds, make sure your brass is good. Brass should slide over brass without much drag. If you still have a problem, check your mag spring tension. Try a diff spring with clean brass.

Also late 70s Weatherby stocks had problems cracking ( unrelated ) in the 300 mag...

 

[ADfields]

How do you find someone "good at fixing feeding problems"?

In this case, I might be inclined to send it to Weatherby. ?????

Smitty of the North

I'm good at it unless the rails have been opened too far and need built back up. It's tricky stuff for sure.

 

[AlaskaGrizz]

Problem found, feeds as advertised! In spending time analyzing this issue of releasing two rounds with bolt cycled and three in the box...I found a very slight burr where the box goes into the machined recess of the floor plate assembly. That kept it from seating flush perfectly between the receiver and floor plate. That, in turn caused the magazine follower to bind ever so slightly which three in the magazine. After removing the burr, it is now "Mark V" smooth at last.
To ADfields, Smitty and Supercub...many thanks to your helpful suggestions! I now have a rifle worthy of the Weatherby name. Wishing you well in stocking your freezers this fall!

 

[ADfields]

Glad ya got it worked out, they are very good rifles.

 

[Smitty of the North]

I'm good at it unless the rails have been opened too far and need built back up. It's tricky stuff for sure.

I will PM you on this.

SOTN

 

[58dranger]

Get a new follower from Numrich's if they have them in stock 32.00 or so last I looked and should fix your problem my 03-A3 did the exact same thing cheap fix, I would never expect the receiver walls or lips to wear with any form of usage shy of years of combat.

good luck