Ruger M77 Floorplate problem

[CEJ1895]

Hi all, I just replaced the cracked floor plate on my dad's M77 Ultra Light 30-06 with a Moyer's floor plate from brownell's. Simple and fast replacement with no installation problems. Now the rifle will not load or feed correctly from the magazine. It seems that the new floor plate positions the follower and spring too far forward and it hangs up on the front of the magazine well. When I move it back to where it will feed properly the spring and follower fall out! I've tried to locate a replacement Ruger long action floor plate from Gun Parts but no luck! I've contacted Brownells and I'm waiting for a reply. Any ideas about where else I can find one or fix this problem? I've tried everything I can think of... Thanks CEJ... P.S. Dear old dad aint too happy with number one son turning his favorite deer rifle into a single shot!

[gunnut69]

Are you certain the follower spring is installed correctly.  It sounds as if the spring is in backwards.  Does the floorplate look different than the one you removed.  A spring installed backwards causes the follower to dive in the front.  Looks like it hangs on the magazine front..

[CEJ1895]

gunnut69 - I'm sure I put it in correctly but I'll double check it when I get home from work tonight. It won't be the first time I thought I was right and wasn't. The new floorplate is shaped a little differently than the old one, it's a little narrower and maybe a 1/16th shorter. Thanks for your help... CEJ.

[CEJ1895]

gunnut69 - That was a great idea! the spring was installed correctly but it wasn't pushing the front part down far enough! A little bending and it feeds fine! Thanks my friend, you got me out of the dog house!  :-D  CEJ..

[gunnut69]

Been to the dog house and the tiny livestock are what make it miserable!!  Good luck!!