Loose bullets

[johNTO]

I've edited my original post to correct this but it was Winchester ammo, not Remington ammo as can be seen in the following picture

Danger Bunny…I've used a couple dozen boxes of this exact ammo thru my rim fires (semi-action rifles/HG's, SA & DA revolvers and bolts) but have never experienced the problems you have with your 597. Yes, some of the bullets are loose and I had some problems feeding some into the tight chambers of my Ruger Bearcat but the same rounds feed fine in my other "toys".

Like the previous poster mentioned….check that you have not over-tightened the screws to secure the two rods.

 

[Danger Bunny]

Danger Bunny…I've used a couple dozen boxes of this exact ammo thru my rim fires (semi-action rifles/HG's, SA & DA revolvers and bolts) but have never experienced the problems you have with your 597. Yes, some of the bullets are loose and I had some problems feeding some into the tight chambers of my Ruger Bearcat but the same rounds feed fine in my other "toys".

Like the previous poster mentioned….check that you have not over-tightened the screws to secure the two rods.

My thanks to everyone who replied, I took the rifle apart to check the bolt carrier rods (they were fine) but the gun was filthy!

Lesson learned, when buying a used firearm the first thing to do is strip it down for a good clean. After cleaning and lubricating it, it works worlds better. Even the handful of rounds I had kept separate that failed to feed properly the first time, fed just fine.

I also figured out that the two bolts that hold the barrel and the stock on where swapped (the bolt for the stock is the longer of the two) which meant the stock was only being held on by the side plates.