M77 Bolt not closing

[RG007]

Hello:
I am new to the forum here and have a question regarding my newly acquired M77 Hawkeye rifle.
I received the rifle early in the week. Took it to the range today to get a taste for it but ran into the problem I could not figure out.

When I load ammo into the rifle, I cannot close the bolt all the way down. The bolt loads the 223 reming bullet into the chamber but the bolt does not close completely. It in fact only closes 1/2 way. I've read the manual but there is no help there. When there is no bullet, the bolt closes smoothly and without any problem. I have the safety at load-unload position.
I tried ammo from diff manufacturers but the same problem. The ammo is steel case. The ammo ejects easily (unfired).

I would appreciate any help here. Hope I don't have to send it back.

Thank you :( :( :(

 

[R1895]

Strange but I must first ask: Are you (1) trying to load a round out of the magazine or are you (2) simply sliding a round directly into the chamber and then trying to close the bolt on the round? If you are using method (2), forget it and try method (1).

 

[RG007]

Hi:
I tried both.
But initially tried loading into the magazine.
The bullet does go into the chamber. The bolt does not close.
I've check bullet calibre and gun calibre to make sure they go hand in hand.
Thank you

 

[Buckeye Bill]

Had this problem a M77 Hawkeye when I want trying to load a single round at a time directly into the chamber. The guy next to me at the range saw me struggling with the bolt handle and had me press the rounds into the internal magazine. This solved my problem.

Sounds like you tried both methods.

Try a different brand of ammunition in the same cal.

That must be frustrating.

Keep us posted.

 

[RG007]

Thanks for your reply. With freezing hands (it was 15 degrees) at the range I loaded one and then 3 rounds into the magazine. But had to eject them because of my problem. I'll wait for some more replies.

 

[Buckeye Bill]

Have you got any non steel case ammunition to work with?

Also,

Do you have any fired brass in .223 that you can attempt to cycle in the rifle?

Bill

 

[GRAMPS 51]

Hi look at the face of a shell that you tried to chamber where the head stamp is and see if it is scared in any way maybe the ejector is not sliding back into the bolt far enough it is easier to see on a brass shell if not it sounds like a very tight chamber

GRAMPS

 

[RG007]

Have you got any non steel case ammunition to work with?

Also,

Do you have any fired brass in .223 that you can attempt to cycle in the rifle?

Bill

I'll check after dinner. Thanks Bill.

 

[RG007]

Hi look at the face of a shell that you tried to chamber where the head stamp is and see if it is scared in any way maybe the ejector is not sliding back into the bolt far enough it is easier to see on a brass shell if not it sounds like a very tight chamber

GRAMPS

Thanks.
The ammo is new. Steel case. I'm looking to see if I have any old brass.

 

[RG007]

I found some brass 223 and this did not change anything.
I'll see if my gunsmith can take a look at it tomorrow.
Then a call to Ruger on Monday. How are they with customer service? I hope reasonably friendly.
Very disappointing.

 

[RG007]

I took a pic to show the bolt as well as a little video to show what I am talking about.
Click http://bit.ly/18MQ02l for the photo and video.
Thanks for your help and caring.

 

[cobalt402]

From the video, it looks to me like the chamber is not correctly bored.

c4

 

[R1895]

It'd be interesting to see if a "go" gauge would work properly or not.
At any rate a call to Ruger is probably in the near future, if in fact using brass cased ammo works no better.

BTW: I don't wish to offend anyone and maybe it's just me; I can see using relatively inexpensive steel cased ammo in a high rate of fire capable "fun type gun" (and do) but don't find any use for it in my bolt guns.

 

[TnTnTn]

This should have never gotten past QC or test/proof firing. Ruger will make it right- contact them. Ruger firearms are excellent but it is very disappointing to have to send a new rifle back for repair.

 

[RG007]

:( :( I will contact them tomorrow.

Maybe they should test the guns before leaving the factory. Maybe they do.

 

[firecaptain]

Watching the video, I guess I would try just a little bit more pressure to close the bolt. Not much pressure but a little.

 

[RG007]

Well I just do not want to damage things. I'm taking it to my gunsmith later today; Will push a bit harder but outside in safer environment.

 

[firecaptain]

Keep us posted

 

[RG007]

A little update. Went to my gun repair friend and he could not believe that there is a defective gun. He used an empty shell and duplicated the problem. Looking at his shell afterwards, he said that its not seating all the way; he could see little imperfections on the shell after ejection. I could not see what he is talking about but he has 30+ yrs experience so there you have it.
I've packed her up and will ship it tomorrow after calling Ruger.

I'll keep everyone updated. I appreciate the help and time everyone has given this issue.

 

[Luckyducker]

How in the world did Ruger test fire this rifle?!!!!! Every firearm I have ever bought new was test fired at the factory, I just don't get it.

 

[RG007]

How in the world did Ruger test fire this rifle?!!!!! Every firearm I have ever bought new was test fired at the factory, I just don't get it.

I've been thinking this to myself. I doubted myself at first (doing things wrong...) but when the gunsmith came up with the same problem, I felt vindicated.
BTW: I did not mean to come to this forum as a new member and create 2 pages of posts. But I appreciate what you folks have done for me. For those wanting to see the video link , here it is http://bit.ly/18MQ02l

 

[Rockrat]

If you call Ruger, I believe that they will send you a box to ship it back to them, on their dime, not yours. Sounds like a very tight chamber

Please let us know what is done to your rifle

 

[Snake45]

BTW: I did not mean to come to this forum as a new member and create 2 pages of posts. But I appreciate what you folks have done for me. For those wanting to see the video link , here it is http://bit.ly/18MQ02l

Hey, don't sweat THAT. Many of us started out here asking a question about, or seeking a solution to a problem with, some particular Ruger (I know I did). That's what this joint is here for! :wink:

Welcome to the place, and I think you'll find it's one of the best all-around gun forums of any kind on the net! :wink:

 

[RG007]

All right here's bit of an update. Call RUGER, they will send UPS tomorrow to pick up the package. The conversation was courteous, the wait was only 5 minutes. Tech support told me I won't see the rifle back until mid Jan as they are behind 2-3 weeks and there are some days where they are closed. There goes my New Years present to myself!!

I'll update once I know more.

Thank you again.

 

[RG007]

Still waiting ....
They told me to call back in 1st week of Jan.
I think I will have it by mid to late Jan.
Hope it can come back to me and not the FFL person as that is a bit of a hassle.

 

[RG007]

My Ruger is on the way back!! Took them 7 business days. Not bad IMO.

 

[huntsman22]

What did they do? Replace the extractor?

 

[RG007]

I called Ruger: they told me they had to redo the chamber. Since I do not have the rifle yet (UPS is closed today) that's all I have to report at this time.

 

[5of7]

In my opinion, the lead of the chamber is too short.

This causes interference as the ogive of the bullet makes contact with the rifling, preventing full chambering of the cartridge. 8)

 

[RG007]

Ok. Now I have a real problem.
I took the rifle to the range to use it for the first time since getting it back. The bolt closes easier than before but still is tight.
However I ran into a few problems the most serious of which was the first one:
1. As I was closing the bolt on 2 occasions the rifle discharged the bullet!!!!! No one got hurt as the gun was pointing at the targets on the range.
2. The bolt closes easier than before. I don't expect it to be loose and easy but it still takes a bit of force to close it.
3. The is bolt binding present. I think this is the correct term. On more than one occasion, I had to struggle to get the bullet out of the chamber.

I don't feel that this rifle is safe. I've lost my confidence in it.

Obviously I am going to call RUGER again. I really think I should get a new rifle.

I welcome other suggestions please.