1917 Eddystone Mag Follower Question

[kleanbore 1]

I have a 1917 Eddystone that was sporterized and rechambered to a 300 Mashburn Improved. This was done way back in the fifties by a long gone gunsmith, so no going back to him. The rifle shoots very well but has an issue. I believe he used the original follower that was for the 30-06. It will not hold more then round in the magazine. If you attempt to put three rounds in it when you cycle the bolt they all come out.I'm guessing the larger diameter of the belted cartridge is the problem and not compatible with that follower. Rather then spending money for useless parts that won't fit. I'm wondering if a magnum follower from one of the many companies like Weatherby, Winchester,Remington and so on would fit and work better.Any one ever dealt with this issue, and what did you do to resolve it?

 

[Ggmac]

Do you have a 303 bolt in it ? Not relate to your problem just curious .
You can try a 303 follower but I think someone opened up the feed rails too much .
Can you measure our feed fails , front and rear . Send pic of bolt face and follower .
I've got many , too many E fields 303 and 30-06 and a few Rem 30 .

 

[Fast14riot]

Pics and measurements would help. I also shoot an Eddy. Measurements between rails and width of outboard rail.

 

[kleanbore 1]

I measured the distance between the feed rails from the bottom of the receiver. Looks like the front measures .540 and the rear is.530. The follower is marked with an E on the bottom side so it looks like the original military. Also underside of bolt marked with the E (Eddystone). Magazine box measures .820 in the front and .925 in the back. I don't know how much if any alterrations were made to this receiver as I don't have an original to compare it to. Just wondering if a follower and spring from a Weatherby or Remington or Winchester would fit and work better.

 

[Ggmac]

Can you send pics of follower and bolt face ?
If your rails have been modified too much , no follower can remedy it , BUT I have a work around that works on some receivers .
I need the measure from the top , where the bolt rides , of the rails . I have a few receivers in hand , but unless I know where you measured and a pic of the follower , it's useless .
Gary
Ggmac5@aol.com

 

[Ggmac]

I measured a p-14 which is within .005 of your measurements , I think .
If they are that's a good thing . A British p-14 follower usually works , as does a bolt without any mods . Numrich has the followers a inexpensive savage 300win mag follower may work if you have one to try . You'll need the savage spring also which I think is one piece with the follower.
It'll be a lot easier if you could send me some pics so you don't waste money .
Gary

 

[kleanbore 1]

I sent you some pictures to your email. Hope you got them

 

[Fast14riot]

If needed, my eddystone is not modified in this area and I can provide pics and measurements for reference.

 

[Ggmac]

I measured mine and came close to his # . But I'm not sure if we are measuring the same spot .

 

[spitfire_er]

Has the follower been modified? If your rails are close to original, taking too much off the top of the original follower could do this. That cases should feed through there no problem with minimal work to an original 17 receiver and follower. If they took the feed rails too far that's another issue. I've done a lot magnum conversions without issue. Last one I did was a 338 RUM. I used a Montana mag and follower which was fit to the receiver, however that was only one part of a timely process to get those cases to feed properly and reliably.

 

[Ggmac]

I've measured 2, Rem 30 , 2 1917 and one 1914 . All fall within a few thou of his , again that's if we're measuring the same spots .