Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles Savage Model 10 Predator 204Ruger

Recently purchase the above and while working on seating depths found that the Nosler SHOT 34gr and none of the Berger bullets will feed from the magazine. Hornady V-max, 32 & 40gr both feed as does Nosler 40gr bullets. Seems the small hollow point hits the back of the barrel before the case is elevated enough to prevent this. The plastip bullets have their tip just clear of that spot as the case is released from the magazine box. Anyone else seen this?Rick.

When loading the magazine, load the shells as far back as you can in the magazine. This will/should fix your problem...

Tried that and several different seating depths, nothing worked.Rick.

None have the 204 rifles that I have seen will load the larger hollow points very well.

Hmmmm...

My 35 Bergers have cycled fine but I have not seriously tested it yet....

Considered just getting a bench rest follower and single shooting it?? that is what I have done to a couple of varmint rifles that the same problem presented itself...

PM sent.

Seafire, got one on order just in case.
Dennis, thank you for the info.

Same problem is present with my Savage 12 FNS using Win 34 gr HP (most accurate load, too) and not with other loads (Rem, Hdy). My Rem m700 has no problem with the Win 34 gr HP. It prefers another load for accuracy.

ricksmith-- I had that same problem with my 35 gr. FB HP Berger loads in my Savage 12VLP in .204 Ruger. I wound up bending the feed rails on the magazine outward a slight bit up toward the front of the magazine. That allows the casing to elevate a little sooner as it is pushed forward allowing the tip of the bullet to get up into the chamber instead of hitting just below the chamber hole.

Silverfox, good idea, may have to try that myself. I installed a benchrest magazine follower yesterday so it is a single shot right now. Which will be fine for working up loads. Appreciate the info.Rick.