custom 375 ruger issues

oldgutpile · #1 06-04-2019, 01:35 PM

This one is for all the gunsmiths here on the forum:
Has anyone dealt with feeding issues in the 375 ruger? I recently bought a custom job on an Oberndorf mauser action. The original build (barrelling and metal work) was done by the late Bevan King out of B.C. The gun came to me second hand with a M-77 follower for the standard magnum cartridges (.532)
The magazine will only hold 3 rounds, but it either jams the second round, or blows it right out of the magazine, every time I eject the first round. Not a favorable scenario for a dangerous game cartridge! If I only load two rounds, it will pick up both rounds and eject them fine, but I am then limited to a "double rifle".
Some information I was able to find on the web, stated that the magazine box is undersized for this cartridge on most designs, and that these feeding issues are fairly common ( again, this is on mauser conversions, not factory rifles).
Has anyone on the forum here had any experience with this, and hopefully a cure?

Deer Hunter · #2 06-04-2019, 03:20 PM

Not a gunsmith here.
But what do the three rounds in the magazine look like with the bolt closed, rifle on its back and the floorplate open?

oldgutpile · #3 06-06-2019, 05:25 AM

Interesting idea.
Never tried that before, and when I did, realized that 3 are so tight in the mag that the bolt wont close over top of them. At absolute best, I would be able to have one in the chamber, and two in the magazine.

colroggal · #4 06-06-2019, 08:36 PM

Follower may be too tight. One idea - provided by Google- was to cut linear hollows in the springs to weaken the enough the follower of a rcm clambering should be near enough to match any standard magnum build. A ruger or M70 action should feed them perfectly. The only issue you may face is if the feed lip is tapered for a 2.5" NA magnum round.

I wish leeper was still here.

Colin

Dean2 · #5 06-07-2019, 02:35 AM

Wrong Mauser action to try and make into a 375 Ruger. I am surprised that Bevan King would have done this kind or poor job and on that action to boot. The mag well is lots long enough but as you have discovered, not near wide enough. This is not something you can easily fix. Sell it and buy a Ruger 77 in 375 R or if you really want a Mauser action buy a Zastava or CZ 550 in 375 H&H. The Ruger and Zastava both come in left or right hand.

oldgutpile · #6 06-07-2019, 12:37 PM

Never been a ruger fan, but thought the cartridge would prove interesting.
I have had other guns made by Bevan, and no issues. I like the Oberndorf action, and thought this whole package would be great, but have absolutely no interest in starting from scratch with another gun. I think I'll just cut my losses and if I can't make it work with a different spring/follower combination, I guess I bought myself a two-shot dangerous game rifle!

Dean2 · #7 06-07-2019, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldgutpile

Never been a ruger fan, but thought the cartridge would prove interesting.
I have had other guns made by Bevan, and no issues. I like the Oberndorf action, and thought this whole package would be great, but have absolutely no interest in starting from scratch with another gun. I think I'll just cut my losses and if I can't make it work with a different spring/follower combination, I guess I bought myself a two-shot dangerous game rifle!

You do have few choices if you are willing to spend some money. Switch it to a 9.3x62 or 64 and you will get rid of the feed problems. The other choice, try the Wisner mag follower, new bottom metal and mag box https://sunnyhillgunparts.com/98mau.html if that is the issue or get a single stack magazine conversion for it.