Loading spring...

I had the same issue before.I touch up the edges with a small file.You may want to consider purchasing a mini-file set at a dept store for $5-$10.Good to have for home "smithing".

I would remove the loading gate and use a dowel rod with some fine sandpaper wrapped around it. Needle files work and are certainly fine enough.



Then you could have an excuse to buy a deluxe dremel kit. ;D

I've got a rotary tool with lots of bits and such. I didn't know if it'd be too aggressive on the spring.

Rather than chance me screwing something up, I took my rifle to a local gunsmith. He's going to take care of the loading gate/spring issue as well as install my new sights.

I can't wait to get the rifle back and head to the range.

Sounds like you made the best decision for you. No worries

Some math for you....

Dremel + favorite rifle or handgun = disaster most of the time.

At least in my hands....

I find the tension of the loading gate spring on many of the newer rifles to be much stiffer than needed..

My fix for this:
I remove the lever and slide the bolt rearward out of the way..
With one hand, I stick a finger down in through the ejection port to hold the spring against the receiver as far back from the loading gate as I can..
With my other hand, I use my thumb to push in on the loading gate from the outside of the receiver..
Pushing in against my other finger to force a bend to relieve the tension of the spring..
The loading gate only needs to return against the inside of the receiver..

This also makes loading much easier as well!!!

I think I like that idea better than removing metal from the back of the spring 8). Easier to fix than trying to glue metal back on the spring when the "oops!" factor enters the picture. : And the "oops" happens to me way to often. :-[ DP

I had the same problem with my new 336C this sunday. It was a little difficult to load and kept cating my nail on the edge of the reciever and loading gate. It wouldnt chamber the rounds right either. I had a few jams and couldnt close the lever. Had to help the round with a screwdriver a few times. I need to get this thing broke in.

I had that issue; also, a slight mis-alignment between the screw hole and the spring that resulted in the spring not fully seating into the groove in the receiver, so the loading gate was slightly out of place, enough that it affected the placement of the last round inserted, but not enough that it kept it from feeding. I used fine sandpaper (started with 400 grit, went up from there) and an assortment of dowels and flat peices of wood to polish the all edges and surfaces of the gate and spring, the groove in the receiver (hard to get to), and the front edge of the loading port. It is hard to take off too much when you are working by hand with that fine of sandpaper - you'll probably get tired of working on it before you take even enough off. Which is OK, it gives you something gun-related to do later.

Currently, it feeds alot easier, and doesn't scratch the cases. It still doesn't sit quite right after loading the last round, though, and I'll have to touch up the blueing.