Lever Action feed ramps

[garciav58]

This may have been discussed, but I could not find a discussion.

Anyone aware of a lever action that can feed hardcast or semi-jacketed ammo? I had a Rossi and I had a problem with non-fmj ammo getting caught on the feed ramp.

[MongooseV8]

Most leveractions were originally designed to shoot nothing but hardcast lead bullets. I have owned a couple marlins 1894&1895 and a Rossi M92 that run lead very well. Most lever guns feeding issues can be traced to cartridge over all length being too short or too long.

Some of the Rossi rifles are pretty rough around the edges though, you might have had a bur or lip hanging you up.

[garciav58]

Good to know. Thanks Man goose

Do you stick to a particular brand and grain of ammo?

[Bastard]

what Mongoose said.
but what caliber, what part of the bullet is it getting hung up on (the bullet, the case neck, case mouth)

[garciav58]

The bullet. 357mag...all non fmj I've tried the bullet gets caught on the feed ramp.

I can round the edge of the barrel where bullet gets caught, but I'd rather not.

[Bastard]

I am going to assume that the bullets that are getting stuck are SWC & getting stuck on the shelf part of the bullet... have you tried loading a RNFP instead?

[garciav58]

I haven't tried any SWC. I'm having problems particularly with Doubletap WFNGC Hardcast or simple plinking rounds that aren't fmj.

I'm beginning to think that it may be my rifle. Possibly the lifter may not be lifting the cartridge to an appropriate height?

[garciav58]

In any case. Ive been wanting a 44 mag....here's my excuse

[Sosoomi]

In pistol cartridge lever guns I have .357 and .44... Both Rossi's....They shoot it all... LSWC, RNFP, both copper plated and cast lead, and JSP.

Like said earlier, cartridge length is important. As important is the crimp .... As I only shoot my reloads I use a factory crimp die and make sure it is well done... It doesn't hurt in a tubular magazine when the cartridges are subject to bumping due to the recoil. On occasion I might have a little resistance but remember not to baby your lever stroke.... It is extremely unusual to have a malfunction...

[garciav58]

In pistol cartridge lever guns I have .357 and .44... Both Rossi's....They shoot it all... LSWC, RNFP, both copper plated and cast lead, and JSP.

Like said earlier, cartridge length is important. As important is the crimp .... As I only shoot my reloads I use a factory crimp die and make sure it is well done... It doesn't hurt in a tubular magazine when the cartridges are subject to bumping due to the recoil. On occasion I might have a little resistance but remember not to baby your lever stroke.... It is extremely unusual to have a malfunction...

I see. Thanks for all the good info.

[otteray]

Levers and flat nose (SWC) go together like bread and butter because of primer detonation issues with pointed bullets, so that shouldn't be the problem. At least not with any of mine.
Are you reloading those Doubletap WFNGC Hardcast? I've never tried them; but maybe check your COL. Seat a dummy round deeper and try it.

[Bastard]

so after looking at the WFNGC, I am still not sure what they are, but after looking at the pictures is seems that there isn't that much taper to the bullet - almost like an very very long wadcutter, which I could see as causing feeding problems. I would try a shorter, lighter, bullet - something in the 158 SCW range

[garciav58]

so after looking at the WFNGC, I am still not sure what they are, but after looking at the pictures is seems that there isn't that much taper to the bullet - almost like an very very long wadcutter, which I could see as causing feeding problems. I would try a shorter, lighter, bullet - something in the 158 SCW range

Thanks. I'll try that. I was hoping that there was a Lever Action that didn't care which cartridge type/dimensions (given it's the correct caliber). I probably don't understand enough about lever actions, which I'll study up on. Thanks for all posts!

[Tom-ADC]

Look over at the Marlin Firearms forum. Good people and they know lever actions.
I fed my 1894 in 44mag either a RNFP it's 205 grains hard cast or most jacketed bullets without problems it will fed the same bullets in 44 SPL also but not SWC types.

[garciav58]

Look over at the Marlin Firearms forum. Good people and they know lever actions.
I fed my 1894 in 44mag either a RNFP it's 205 grains hard cast or most jacketed bullets without problems it will fed the same bullets in 44 SPL also but not SWC types.

I was actually looking at getting an 1894 44mag. Good to hear that you have no problems with it. Thanks!