Sauer 404 magazine compatibility issues.

[3595wilk]

I've got a new to me 404 XT in .308 and a brand new 6.5x55 barrel too.

During load development for the Swedemoor, the magazine kept popping out when when locked. First thought was pressure but no other signs of pressure on chamber, bolt lift or brass evident at all. Plus load data is tried and tested.

A quick look at the magazines suggest a slight design change. Basically things don't seem to align. It seems like the grooves designed to slide the magazine along which aligns the mag in the action, via slots on each side; are in different positions in each mag.

Anyone had this issue or did Sauer update the 404 system or mags along the way and I've got a mix of incompatible ones? Can't find anything to suggest that's the case.

The 404 and .308 magazine are a few years old while the 6.5x55 mag is like the barrel - brand new.

Any suggestions?

TIA.

 

[Stalker-of-the-deer]

Take the Forend off and look for a silver bar where the mag catch is, may of just been bumped or knocked out of place.

Only thing I can think of!

 

[Long drag]

Are you hearing/feeling the mag locking in place, are you applying the mag lock, if so is the mag still falling out.

 

[3595wilk]

It locks in place, but seems to be able to pivot easily....almost like it isn't seated properly....but the locking catch does work when I slide it into place.

There is a catch in the action that slots into the rectangular cut out on the side shown above.....don't think that catch is going solidly into the cut out......

May just need wearing in.....

 

[Roebuck9]

Take it to Jamie Garland at Garland Shooting Ground near Tamworth, Look up the exact address on the net. Jamie will tell you what is wrong.

 

[Stalker-of-the-deer]

Randomly, think you actually have my old sauer 404 that I recently sold. I never had issues with the mag as the caliber group was the same 308/243 so used the same mag all the time.

Got told the bloke got a 6.5x55 barrel for it aswell

 

[Long drag]

I had a problem with the mag of my 404 in 6.5x55, long story but talking to a sauer rep in Dortmund at the fair he indicated where the problem could be, so in the recesses/ well where the mag goes you can feel a indent for holding the mag in place it should be moving in and out with ease if not, remove the foreend and you will see a bar that can be removed without any tools, take it out and give it a good cleaning, sorted my issue.

 

[Stalker-of-the-deer]

For reference its that bar there. Give it a clean and a squirt of oil

 

[3595wilk]

Cheers will try these. Hoping to get it sorted for the Rut....and yup @Stalker-of-the-deer I got it from E&S.

TVP cocked up the FAC change and stuck rifle instead of barrel on my ticket.........so the .308 barrel is waiting for me at Rupert Blackwalls place.......

Out of interest, have you a home load for the .308 or did you use factory?

 

[Stalker-of-the-deer]

Cheers will try these. Hoping to get it sorted for the Rut....and yup @Stalker-of-the-deer I got it from E&S.

TVP cocked up the FAC change and stuck rifle instead of barrel on my ticket.........so the .308 barrel is waiting for me at Rupert Blackwalls place.......

Out of interest, have you a home load for the .308 or did you use factory?

Used both!

It likes 150 grain sst with 44 grains of vhit n140 and as for factory it absolute loves the hornady 178 grain eldx precision hunter stuff.

If i did my part it shot 1/2" at 100

 

[3595wilk]

Thanks for that - did you do anything with monolithics? I tend to use 130 Fox or Virtus, so have some loads worked up already to try that I used through my Tikka.

Bought some Fox 120 6.5x55 ammunition to put through the new barrel - and shooting sub MOA straight off the bat.....various Fox, Yew tree and Hornady copper loaded up to try out too.......

 

[Stalker-of-the-deer]

Nothing with non toxic, though id imagine it would shoot them well as most modern German rifles are designed to shoot them well.