Feeding Lever Action

[Neurosis]

Hi all!!!  Just picked up a used Marlin 336CS that was unfired for quite a deal.  I took it out to the range today and began feeding ammo to the side port and noticed it takes quite a bit of effort to push the cartridge in and then to properly seat it requires nearly pushing my whole tip of my thumb in.  This will cause the feed flap (dunno what it's called) to pinch and since the hole is kinda small, I've got a sore and half bloody thumb.  The Range Officer said there's really no other way around it and to just buck it up.      After a couple tries, I just started loading individual cartridges directly into the chamber.  Surely there's gotta be a better way to load ammo isn't there???

J.

[victorcharlie]

You might try pushing the ammo into the magazine tube and then following up with another cartridge rather than your finger...

Did that make sense?

In other words, don't fully insert the cartridge with your finger, but start it, force it most of the way in, and then seat it into the tube with the next cartridge.......

[Neurosis]

Thanks VicCharlie for that info!  When I got home I tried finding a better way of doing it and came to that method also.  My thumb thanks you.   

[VTDW]

It will also become easier as you break in the rifle.

Dave