Custom 7x57 Columbian Mauser just about done

[boaman88]

I can't take all the credit. I picked it up a gunshow a few months ago. The bolt handle, scope bases,and rebarrel had already been done. I got rid of the Ramline stock and added the hinged trigger guard. The stock is a Boyds and the trigger guard came from Sportmans Guide. I had to refinish the guard. Still need to a little work on the mag follower. It binds after the first three rounds are in. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Silvertp]

Nice compact looking rifle boaman88.  Ive always been a fan of the 7 x 57 caliber.  Not sure what to tell you re: the magazine follower.  Have you taken the follower / spring out to see if there is anything hanging it up once it gets compressed?  Other thing I have seen that will cause problems are rounds that are max length for the magazine well.  If they do not get slid all the way to the rear of the magazine the tips can hang up on the front of the magazine.

Let us know how it shoots!

Silvertp

[GatCat]

I can't tell from the photo's, is the action a '95? If so, what did the hinged trigger guard come from. The reason I ask is that the only factory '95s ,that I can think of, with hinged guards are the Spanish '95's, which should work with any '95, BUT if your trigger guard came off, or is for, a '98, and the action is a '95, that may be the problem.
Conversly, if your action is a '98, and you are using the hinged '95 Spanish trigger guard, that may be the problem.
Or, check for burrs, etcl, on the follower, and sides/ends of the bullet well.
Mark

[Skunk]

Nice!!

[boaman88]

The action is an FN 98. The trigger guard/hinged mag is commercial aftermarket that came from Sportsmans Guide. I will take a look at the ammo I have. It may be a length issue.

[Mikey]

boaman88:  I agree with Silvertp about cleaning that magazine well and checking to see if the mag spring is properly installed.  I would pull the follower, check for any burrs and see if anything is portruding into the mag well - sometimes a little bit of bedding will cause the follower to bind.

The FN actions are really nice but the aftermarket parts may be a/the problem.  Also, any way of identifying the barrel???  If it is a military barrel you probably won't have to worry about the oal of the loaded rounds as the mil-spec barrels have looooong throats, which lets you load really long. HTH.

[Gerry N.]

There is no "U" in "Colombian".

Gerry N.

[mannyrock]

 I once had a magazine follower that would bind in an FN mauser, and I cured it by just slightly polishing the front end and back end of the follower, and by replacing the magazine spring.
 
  If you have a bad spring, it will cause the rounds to "plunge" downward at their nose, or tip backward at their butts, causing the rounds and sometimes the follower to scrape against the inside of the magazine.

     Start by getting a brand new mag spring from Brownells.   

  Hope this helps.

Mannyrock