Occasional problem with Ruger M77/22

[12Gauge]

I have had a Ruger M77/22 for the last 10 years or better and have had an occasional problem with it when I un-bolt it after making a shot.  It sometimes does not release the spent shell and I have to manually do it.  Is this something common?  Does anyone have any suggestions?  
I have never noticed one brand of bullets doing it more versus any others.

One other thing that I wanted to know, how difficult is it to convert a M77/22 to a .17 HMR?  Where can I get a barrel?  Once I convert it the first time, will it possible to convert it back and forth -- one to the other?
Thanks for any help you can offer me.

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

As it has a manual ejector---the bolt needs to be pulled back "smartly" to eject a shell. Also---is there any crud under your extractor??

The caliber change is as simple as changing the barrel-------you might also need a new stock---depending on the contour of the replacement barrel----Or hog out out your original stock---but that would be unsightly when you switched back to your original caliber.

Barrels and stocks can be had at Midway--Cabela's----etc........

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Oppps---need the get something straight here-----the above applies ONLY to the 77/22 MAGNUM rifle.

If you have a 77/22 Long Rifle---the conversion to .17 HMR would have to be a single shot------or you could convert to .17 Mach II with little trouble and still use the magazine system.



The more I think about it---not sure if the recess in the bolt face from a .22LR version would fit around a magnum rim-----so even the single shot might not be a possiblity---and your only choice would be the MachII---which seems like it might be an interesting little cartridge.

[mag shooter]

Oppps---need the get something straight here-----the above applies ONLY to the 77/22 MAGNUM rifle.

If you have a 77/22 Long Rifle---the conversion to .17 HMR would have to be a single shot------or you could convert to .17 Mach II with little trouble and still use the magazine system.



The more I think about it---not sure if the recess in the bolt face from a .22LR version would fit around a magnum rim-----so even the single shot might not be a possiblity---and your only choice would be the MachII---which seems like it might be an interesting little cartridge.

OBG is right

Can't go l.r. to Hmr without extensive and expensive work.

Can go

22 mag to HMR  > with just a barrel swap.          
22l.r. to Mach 2>  with just a barrel swap.

.273 l.r  case-head dia.
.290 mag  case-head dia.

.043 l.r. rim thickness
.050 mag rim thickness