Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Gunsmithing Problems feeding M38 in 6.5 Sweed

I have a M38 Trukish Mauser I sent to Shaw about 11 years ago for a barrel (small ring / large ring). This thing shoots 120 NBT bug holes. I won't take it hunting because I experience feeding issues where the bolt head doesn't pick up the head of the case thus pushing the cartridge into battery but unable to close the bolt. I recently discovered this never happens when I load one cartridge into the magazine. If I load four it will happen 4 out 5 times.

It sounds like a spring and or follower issue, both 1940's original. Am I on the right track with that statement and can it it fixed with newer components?

American brass is not the same as European. The head size on swede brass is larger originally. American is made with the same size as 30-06.

It might be that tolerances are a little loose on the bolt and a little small on the brass and it fails.

Did you try other brands of brass?

So I used PMC and Winchester brass. I do have some Lapua brass I was saving till I found a node. I'll try those.

Here is something else that's different. If it's a factory load the brass will fit in a number 2 shell holder. Afterwards I have to go with a number 3. That would tell me pressure signs or just that the bolt head is larger.