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Took my 2 new 1894CSS .357s (bottom 2 under my 1894SS .44 Magnum) to the range today and both shot flawlessly - I got bored with the scoped rifle on a bench rest at 50 yards putting all these holes in the middle of the target. Took about 10 rounds to zero the scope then after 30 rounds I had one solid hole about an inch around in the center of the target. You just have to believe me because I had to leave and the range was still HOT so I could not retrieve the target. The 2nd CSS without the scope I shot 20 rounds standing using the factory sights. I hit a grapefruit sized pattern all around center target so I was very pleased considering I haven't done a lot of FREEHAND shooting in a while. I have no problem focusing on the target but being nearsighted out to about 4 feet I have a problem focusing on the front or rear sights even when I look straight at them.
THE PROBLEM
The only problem I had occurred on the scoped rifle when I fed the very first cartridge, a Federal 158gr JSP, and it jammed exiting the feed tube, once I got it to pop out onto the lift ramp I shot 20 more alternating 5 shots Federal 5 shots Fiocchi without any problems then it jammed again exactly the same way but this time on a Fiocchi.
The two cartridges shown here: on left the FEDERAL 158gr JSP and on right the FIOCCHI 142gr TMJ. Let me say the FIOCCHI shot a little tighter but the Federals had a whole lot more kick!

Here is what happens:
When I pulled the lever down the cartridge starts to come out of the feed tube but when it is about 3/4 out, just about to where the case edge ends, the cartridge tilts up so that the tail end is up higher off the lifter rail instead of laying flat on it as shown in the normal picture below.

Imagine the bullet is still inside the tube where the red plunger is located but cocked up about 20 degrees off the lifter. I did not bring my tool kit so I had to use a long spent cartridge off the floor to wiggle and push back on the cartridge before it finally popped all the way out onto the lifter. I alternated every 5 shots between the Fiochi and the Federal cartridges. As I looked at the cartridges I thought the problem might be the ridge on the Federal Cartridges at the bottom of the bullet (where it meets the case) but then the second time it jammed with the FIOCCHI that is relatively smooth in that area. Could there be a slight edge at the top of the tube where it enters the receiver that is catching and pulling the cartridge up higher than normal? The pressure of the cartridges still in the feed tube causes it to grab tighter.
I do not think this is the same as all the FTF issues discussed in the STICKIES on this form since in this case the cartridge has not even come totally out of the feed tube yet.
Has anyone had this type failure and if so what fixed it?
Thanks,
GB45