Although I agree this is a PIA, I've had (and still have) several M70 XTRs and post-64 push feed rifles. These are some of the best m70s I've owned. The only one that ever had a feeding issue was one that started life as a 270 that I rebarreled to 7x57 with a Douglas barrel. Anyway, it simply needed the correct mag box. In it's donor form it was fine (fed and functioned as it should). If you're around more of these rifles I think you'll find the feeding issue you described to be rare. Those XTRs are generally excellent rifles and some of the better rifles Winchester produced post-64 until the early CRF Classics came out. I'm sure your gunsmith will get it sorted pretty easily.
