Single loading a controlled feed bolt gun

[TJV]

I have a Ruger M77 Hawkeye Long Range Target rifle in 6.5 cm.

I single load the rifle because my rounds are too long to fit the magazine.

Since the rifle action uses a controlled feed bolt action, does single loading harm the bolt in any way?

 

[edwardware]

No, provided you don't push-feed it.

Press the rim down below the magazine lips, and the bolt will never know the difference. If you chamber the round and beat the extractor over the rim, you'll be abusing it; don't do that.

It might be fine being abused, but there's no need to when feeding it correctly is less work.

 

[Mark W]

I’ve been single loading my CZ 527s and 550s for years with no ill effect. I just toss it in and close the bolt. A lot of people will swear it’s bad and can’t or shouldn’t be done, but I’ve saw no issues with the guns or the brass from doing this.

 

[jds holler]

On the M-77's with Mauser type extractors, the extractor is chamfered to easily pop over the case rim. If the Hawk-eye has similar extraction, there would be no problem, and I wouldn't call it abuse.

I've got an old m77 243 that has had waaayyy more shells loaded singly than box fed. Never had a problem with injection or extraction. Round count is about 1.3 bazillion. jd

 

[OKBoomer]

The Score High bench rest follower has worked well for me in my Mauser 98. Swap out the existing follower with it. $15. https://scorehi.com/our-products/

Otherwise, as said above, set the cartridge part way on the feed ramp and press just the case head below the feed rails so the extractor will pick it up.

 

[tomswede]

Used to do that a lot on Swedish M96 rifles loading with 6 rounds. Nobody even thought about it and no issues. Varies with actions, so should be checked.

 

[boltman13]

I have a commercial Belgan Mauser Model 98 action in 6BR that once was chambered in 243 Win, and 308 Win before. It is set up as a single shot. My gunsmith slightly modified the extractor and I have chambered thousands of rounds pushing the cartridge into the chamber and snapping the extractor over the rim and it still feeds with only slightly more effort than a push feed. I think the part of the extractor that rides over the rim was thinned slightly on the back side, but am not really sure.

 

[bobm]

There is one drawback to closing over a chambered round....brass shavings. The...MY... extractor scrapes a little off every time. It drops out to the bottom and oils hold it in place. This is my tang safety M77 in 7x57. When offhand practicing I always close over the chambered round. I clean up this little mess every so often. Sure looks like time to clean it up.

I used the Teslong 10" pistol bore scope to show the mess. Other photo is the gas escape hole from the inside. Rough looking due to it being a cast receiver.

 

[Flouncer]

I have heard about the single feed on a Mauser and it will ruin the extractor since forever . . .. As far as i can tell it's all talk. Never had a problem, nor seen or heard of any damage or effect at all. I don't believe it. My bolts are 108 and 102 years old respectively. Never had any brass shavings from many 6mmBR or 6.5x55 rounds fired singly either. To each his own.

 

[SmokinJoe]

The FNH M70 with DBM does a beautiful job of single loading. If you can get a "Original Bob Sled", it would probably make single loading easy also.

 

[jds holler]

bobm, I think I'd be smoothing the edge of your extractor on that Ruger.

It goes against my grain, but I might even carefully use a Dremmel on that spot. And remember, less is more. jd

 

[bobm]

Let's be realistic here. Remember....that is 30X magnification you are looking at. It's just a little pile of dust from a couple hundred shots. A bent Q-tip swab wiped it out in one pass. Not worth the worry to break a sharp edge.

Damn Teslong borescopes anyway....

 

[jds holler]

Let's be realistic here. Remember....that is 30X magnification you are looking at. It's just a little pile of dust from a couple hundred shots. A bent Q-tip swab wiped it out in one pass. Not worth the worry to break a sharp edge.

Damn Teslong borescopes anyway....

Yeah, that looks like about a pound of brass chips. jd

 

[SmokinJoe]

Even though you aren't talking much material, Murphy says he can get it to go in the wrong place at the worst possible time. Your rifle might very well benefit from a little work on that extractor.

 

[bobm]

OK, you have me paranoid about this now. I will use the Teslong 10" bore scope to see where on the extractor has a sharp edge. Will dress it down with hard stones and hit it with a Dremel polishing bit.

 

[joshb]

I bought an FN in 222. It’s controlled round feed . It works ok. I get a little hitch, but nothing bad!