Savage 99 mag feed issue

babine_lake

CGN Regular
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I recently picked up a Savage 99 in 30-30. Serial number indicates 1920 Manufacture according to a quick web search. The magazine, in fact the entire rifle, appears to be in great shape. However it is very difficult to feed cartridges into the magazine. At first I could only get two in and after working at it I can now just get three in. The feeding becomes more difficult the more cartridges I load. Does anyone have an idea what the issue might be and how to correct it?
 
If the rotor turning freely without rounds? Is it the correct rotor? Has someone had it apart and reassembled it with incorrect spring tension? Is the ejector/cartridge retainer moving freely?
 
First thought is a tired spring as these usually feed as slick as can be if everything is properly timed.
 
Thanks for the replies. The rotor seems to spin fine without cartridges in. It seems almost like something mechanical is catching, not timed right. I thought the bullet nose was catching on the feeding ramp but it does the same thing if I load empty cases. This may be too complicated for a cgner to help through a forum. Does anyone know of a solid 99 smith who I could send it off too if I can't figure it out. From what I have read, it sounds like one should not pull a 99 action apart unless you know what your doing.
 
Sounds like the spring is wound to tight. If it was taken apart and given too many turns on re assembly. Take forend off ,remove screw in side of action at front of mag , turn the piece in front of mag , at front after fore arm is removed turn and keep checking mag Put screw back in each time checked.
 
I tried adjusting the tension and it seems someone had it way too tight. Also, I did a little research, which I should have done originally, and found out it is pretty easy to remove the spool. Turns out it is in desperate need of a cleaning. Hopefully a cleaning and adjustment will do it. I will check back in with my results.
 
So I cleaned and lubed the magazine and set the tension. Seems to take all five cartridges OK now. There is a bit of a trick to feeding the shells into the magazine. I found I have to feed the case head first. I have never owned a 99. Perhaps the tricky feeding is partly due to the rimmed case as opposed to rimless. Either way, seems to be solved.
 
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