Ammo for Ruger Mark III

[H&K]

UPDATE BELOW...

This has probably been covered before but I couldn't nail down any threads in the vast archives.
My new(to me) Mark III hunter has a little quirk. I don't recall having this problem with the first ammo I ran through it(I ran through the last brick I had and tossed all the boxes. Red boxes, American Eagle I think). But on the second trip I shot Federal and CCI Mini Mag and both had the same issue.
After the last round is expended the slide should lock back but wouldn't with these brands. The only way you knew you were out was a dry fire click. I manually pulled the slide back and it would lock back.
I'm guessing that the ammo didn't have enough uumph to run the slide back far enough to lock but far enough to cycle properly.
Comments? Guesses? Recommendations for ammo with a little more poop?

Thanks!

[!@#$]

i would remove the LCI and try again.

also try another magazine.

AE and CCI minimags are some of the most reliable "plinking quality" rounds out there.

may as well take it apart and give it a good cleaning too.

[arga]

There is an issue with the MK III and using the bolt release repeatedly (as opposed to pulling back the bolt first, then pushing the bolt release). This will eventually wear down the bolt where it contacts the bolt-hold-open. Maybe it is ammo. I'm not sure, but it's something to consider. Search the MkIII forums at Rimfire Central. That's where I first heard about this.

[Donny1]

I've heard about the hold lever wearing down but not the bolt itself. The lever is just stamped steel so I imagine you could just file it square again.

And no, you are not supposed to use the lever to release the bolt. Ruger says it will wear the lever and cause the problem you have. At first I could just barely release it with my thumb anyway so I wasn't even trying. After a few thousand rounds I inadvertently released it with my thumb and it required no effort at all. I figured I would release it that way until it had a problem and then just take a file to the lever but if there really is an issue with the bolt itself wearing I will have to rethink that.

[psango]

+1 CCI mini-mags

[Donny1]

Oh, I forgot to mention mine eats anything and cycles fine, locks back on empty.

Never tried Remington GB because of all the complaints but everything else is fine.

[Tank 57]

Loctite (blue) is a must on Ruger front sights.

[rogervzv]

This is a very good thread fellows. Learned some good stuff here.

[saigarocks]

just stay away from remington - my mk.1 hates it - i've had good luck with federal - great guns!

[Donny1]

Mine is painted so I strip the frame completely to clean it with soap and water every 2-3 trips. I found that nasty brown grease everywhere, even in the mag release button and spring. It's not much more to learn to get it to a bare frame.