Charles Daly/Zatava mini Mauser

[Pyscodog]

I posted a picture of my mini Mauser in a post about 204's and several weeks ago I asked about a single shot follower for the same rifle. Now I have done some fiddling around with the rifle and it won't feed a loaded 204 round from the magazine or just laying it on top of the follower. I have to actually start the round into the chamber to get it to feed. Its kinda of a PITA but when shooting off the bench I can deal with it. It the field...not so much. In all honesty, I don't know what to do to fix this. I bought the little rifle used at a gun show. Probably why the guy sold it. I can live with the problem but it would be nice if I can get it to fed correctly.

Sorry, had a brain fart. My rifle is a Charles Daly. I had the St Hubert on my mind when I posted.

 

[Sniperhandle]

Show a pic of the bolt and extractor.

 

[Pyscodog]

It resembles a little Sako bolt.

 

[Pyscodog]

I sat here and tried to chamber a round several times and no luck. Seems like the round goes into the chamber about half way and then binds up, like the round is too long. When it binds, I can take my finger and push it the rest of the way in easily. It make just have to be the way I shoot it.

 

[AlNyhus]

Take a dummy case and seat the bullet shorter and see if it feeds.

 

[Jon Leary]

Remove the extractor and try it.

 

[Sniperhandle]

I sat here and tried to chamber a round several times and no luck. Seems like the round goes into the chamber about half way and then binds up, like the round is too long. When it binds, I can take my finger and push it the rest of the way in easily. It make just have to be the way I shoot it.

Sometimes the chamfer on the edge of the chamber is not enough or was forgotten/overlooked. That's what it sounds like to me. I have fixed the problem without removing the barrel by using the appropriate countersink on a drill bit extension and chamfering the edge of the chamber through the action.

If there is a sharp edge on the edge of the chamber the round will bind like you are saying because the boltface is pushing it in at an angle, When you push it by hand it goes in as you say because you are pushing straight on it.

It would be best to take the barrel off and do it, But there's a workaround I have done before.

Can you look at it with your teslong?

I remember Al Nyhus posting a pic of that extractor now, It looks just like an 1891 Mauser extractor.

Does the brass have marks on it where it looks like its binding?

 

[Pyscodog]

I don't need a Teslong to see the rear/chamber end and it's squared off. No chamfer or bevel at all. Yes, if I use pressure to try and chamber a round it marks the brass. Guess that is the issue or sure sounds like it to me.

 

[AlNyhus]

If you seat the bullet deeper and it helps feeding, thats a good way to find out if a chamfer will help.

 

[Sniperhandle]

I don't need a Teslong to see the rear/chamber end and it's squared off. No chamfer or bevel at all. Yes, if I use pressure to try and chamber a round it marks the brass. Guess that is the issue or sure sounds like it to me.

Ok, Get a quality drill bit extension and a quality countersink and it should solve your problem.

 

[Sniperhandle]

https://www.lowes.com/pd/IRWIN-12-x-1-4-In-Bit-Extension/1003054058?user=shopping&feed=yes&srsltid=AfmBOooUTKu5Nx59jQLA7e1pv2YdgFUQD4cWH8nmp92Cqe-Ae7SVAv5mme4

Get countersink set with 1/4 inch shanks.

Run your drill somewhat slow with even steady pressure. You don't need a whole lot.

Report back if it solved the problem.

 

[Pyscodog]

How much is "not a whole lot"? I sure don't want to screw it up.

 

[Sniperhandle]

I would say looking at the edge it creates about 1/16 of an inch would be the most I would go, Maybe a hair less. Here is a pic from the web.
This one is about 1/32 or so, Go a little and try it, Then go a little more if need be. I would say 1/32 would be about right.

 

[Sniperhandle]

I am not sure of your bolt diameter, But I measured 2 drill bit extensions I have and both measured 0.560

I have had them 40 years so I am not sure what the diameter of todays are, But I'm willing to bet you are ok.

 

[Pyscodog]

I did the countersink this morning. I went very slow and actually did it three times. I still have the issue. I was using factory 32 grain Hornady. Maybe its just the nature of the beast.

 

[Sniperhandle]

I did the countersink this morning. I went very slow and actually did it three times. I still have the issue. I was using factory 32 grain Hornady. Maybe its just the nature of the beast.

Well, I have had that same issue and it fixed it. It's hard to say not being able to see what it's doing. It should be able to be fixed. I would not give up.

 

[DShortt]

I would take an empty sized case and load whatever bullet you use. Then coat the entire dummy round with a black magic marker, allow it to dry completely. Then try to chamber it and note where the scuff marks are. That should give you a better idea of what the problem is. Perhaps your magazine 'lips' need a bit of 'tweaking' if the feed angle is off. The above test should help you decide.

 

[Pyscodog]

Scuff marks are about 1/4- 3/8" from the shoulder of the case. They are easy to see. Its a BDL style mag with a floor plate, box and spring and follower. I'll take a few more pictures tomorrow.

 

[17cal Fan]

I built a 221 FB on a Howa mini action (basically the same action) and was having the same issue. Spoon fed it's fine, mag fed was a crap shoot. With help from another senior with tinkeritus we got it working. We built up the front end of the follower with metal furnace tape. Adding layers until it worked. As seen in picture the tape ended up behind the shoulder. Without the tape the nose of the cartridge dives down as soon as the bolt touches it.

My plan is to replace the tape with a pile of epoxy at some point but for now the problem seems to be solved.