I found a solution to a feeding problem that I was having and thought I would share it in case anyone had had similar problems...
I recently acquired a used 336 in 35 Rem, and while I haven't had time to make it to the range, I couldn't resist loading up some dummy rounds (i.e., no primer, no powder) to try out the action. Unfortunately, I was finding that the last round would often have trouble entering the chamber, with the bullet (158gr XTP) getting caught on the edge of the chamber opening. If I cycled the action quickly, there was usually enough momentum to carry the round up and in, but if I cycled slowly, the hangup would occur. It seemed like for the first rounds, the lip of the carrier was raising right up to the edge of chamber, but for the last round, the carrier lip was about 1/4" lower causing the bullet to catch.
To get a better look at things, I removed the bolt, and cycled a few rounds through. I was then able to notice that for all rounds, the carrier was raising to the edge of the chamber, but for the last round, when I'd start closing the lever, the carrier would drop the 1/4" that was causing the loading problem. Examining the action, I learned that there is a tab below the front of the carrier that the cartridge rims in the magazine press against to support the carrier in its raised position. When the last round is fed, the magazine follower is supposed to provide this support.
I searched the archives here, and a common recommendation for feeding problems was to clean the magazine tube. I pulled mine off, and though the tube/spring was clean, I did find a few brass shavings on the follower, particularly around the recess that butts against the receiver. I cleaned the follower and reassembled, and bingo! No more feeding problems.
I can now cycle the action as slow as I want, and the carrier is always raised high enough to feed rounds reliablly.
Anyways, just a reminder to periodically clean your magazine tube, spring, and follower.
P.S. I was under the impression that leverguns should be cycled strongly for reliable feeding. Are Marlins an exceptions? Do most feed well even in slow motion?
I recently acquired a used 336 in 35 Rem, and while I haven't had time to make it to the range, I couldn't resist loading up some dummy rounds (i.e., no primer, no powder) to try out the action. Unfortunately, I was finding that the last round would often have trouble entering the chamber, with the bullet (158gr XTP) getting caught on the edge of the chamber opening. If I cycled the action quickly, there was usually enough momentum to carry the round up and in, but if I cycled slowly, the hangup would occur. It seemed like for the first rounds, the lip of the carrier was raising right up to the edge of chamber, but for the last round, the carrier lip was about 1/4" lower causing the bullet to catch.
To get a better look at things, I removed the bolt, and cycled a few rounds through. I was then able to notice that for all rounds, the carrier was raising to the edge of the chamber, but for the last round, when I'd start closing the lever, the carrier would drop the 1/4" that was causing the loading problem. Examining the action, I learned that there is a tab below the front of the carrier that the cartridge rims in the magazine press against to support the carrier in its raised position. When the last round is fed, the magazine follower is supposed to provide this support.
I searched the archives here, and a common recommendation for feeding problems was to clean the magazine tube. I pulled mine off, and though the tube/spring was clean, I did find a few brass shavings on the follower, particularly around the recess that butts against the receiver. I cleaned the follower and reassembled, and bingo! No more feeding problems.
I can now cycle the action as slow as I want, and the carrier is always raised high enough to feed rounds reliablly.
Anyways, just a reminder to periodically clean your magazine tube, spring, and follower.
P.S. I was under the impression that leverguns should be cycled strongly for reliable feeding. Are Marlins an exceptions? Do most feed well even in slow motion?
