Savage 93R17 mag feeding issues

[bubbinator]

I have a new Savage 17HMR bolt gun that feeds from a 5 rd box mag.  The 1st and 2nd rounds jam against the chamber mouth and even holding the mag firmly up into the action doesn't help. Rds 3-5 feel perfectly w/o any assiatance.  I have tried 3 mags, same issue every time.  Any one else had this problem?  Savage wants the gun back to fix it, which may be my next step.  I'm just curious as to anyone else's experience with this gun and what they did to fix it.

[leather5to1]

I had this problem.  The problem is the bullet feeds from too low.  I opened the ears of the mag up just a little to let the bullet sit higher and then it would feed high enough and wouldn't get caught on the edge of the chamber.

[gunnut69]

If a box magazine gun fails to feed, it's almost always traceable to the magazine.. Besides adjusting the feed lips you may also want to check to be certain the follower is installed correctly fron to back, the mag spring is installed correctly and the follower doesn't tip as the rounds feed. I am not afmiliar with this particular mag but rimfire mags are quite sinilar in function. The lips are divided into two sections, front a rear. The front sections provides guidance left or right while the rear section holds the rounds in the mag and set the pitch(verticle angle) Opening the front of the rar section a bit(very little bit) akkows the bullet nose to point up closing it down reverses the direction. width of the rar section is really of little concern other than it must be wide enough to allow the bolt round pusher to pass thru. Polishing is OK but keep it to the edges and keep it extremely minor. If one wants the round lower in the mag then closing the lips at the rear(retension lips) an equal amount front and rear(of the rear lip section) will retain the round lower in the mag body. If the opening is too narrow it may be opened with a fine cut flat file, I use a 4 inch. DON"T OVER DO THIS!! If the round is feeding into the bottom edge of the chamber opening the front of the rar lip section will correct the problem. I adjust with a pair of chain nose pliers(have a round cross section jaw) and a dial caliper. Measuring fights see sawing which will destroy the mag lips. Move them no more and no more often than absolutely necessary.

[torpedoman]

had the same problem with the first round and only the first one called savage they sent a new mag. fixed to old and now have two mags.

[drdougrx]

I have the exact same gun and it's issued with crappy magazines.  When I have feeding problems, I just bend the lips on the edge of the shooting bench.  More commonly in my gun, I load five and shoot...1/2" groups at 100 by the way.  Load another five into the mag, retract the bolt and all five come flying outta the action...aggravating.  I asked in the rimfire forum if anyone knew of good aftermarket magazines....but...no replys.

[scratcherky]

I had the same problem and found out if I installed the loaded magazine with the bolt open, the problem went away. Do not know why but worked for me.

[bubbinator]

Savage said it was bad mags and sent me a new one, which was an SXT-same exact thing!  I called my local gunsmith Holcomb Kearns in Tallassee, Al and he advised, as y'all did above-feed lips. feed lips, feed lips.  I had 3 mags, so I bent and pried on one, filed a little on another and polished with a Dremel Tool on the third.  Experienced the mag emptying burst of joy a couple times on the first, got an improvement on the 2nd, and was real pleased with the 3rd.  Readjusted #1 until it kept the rounds in, then polished.  Polished what I did on #2, and when it was all said and done-I now have 3 mags that feed a hell of a lot better than before. The polishing of the feed lips in front seemed to help the most, smoothing the transition into the chamber with just enough of front angle change to make the difference.
Note to Host of Forum:  I posted on 3 other places and got zip for answers.  This forum really deserves a "Atta Boy" for the fine members that responded!