Gunsmithing Howa Mini not feeding

[101stinfantry]

Howa Mini Action in a Boyd's AT-1 stock. Won't feed, bolt catches the round about mid way, and kinda, sorta pushes the round out, but obviously not into the chamber. If I press up on the magazine it'll feed, so the inlet isn't off by much maybe 1/32-1/16". I'm wondering if the DIP bottom metal will fix this, I don't know the dimensions on it, or if I need to take some material out of the bottom metal inlet anyway? Any guidance appreciated.

 

[mcfred]

First, I'd call Boyds and tell them it isn't working right and try to get them to send you one that works as it should. When they ignore you:

If the gun feeds in the factory stock, but not in tthe Boyds then use a set of calipers to compare the thickness of the stock between the bottom "metal" and the receiver inlet.

You can remanufacture the mag-catch longer so it holds the magazine higher in the mag well.

Or remove material in the stock's bottom "metal" inlet such that it holds the magazine like it should.

If the DIP metal is modeled after the factory piece then I doubt it will help.

 

[101stinfantry]

I'm used to being ignored. I bought the gun as a barreled action, so I don't have anything to measure to go off of. Also, wasn't sure of the DIP part either. I'm going to fiddle with it a bit more before I buy the DIP, or start removing material. It's "almost" there, and shouldn't take much. I think it's off only on the rear portion. Thanks for the ideas.

 

[Supersubes]

I just finished a howa mini in a Boyd’s pro Varmint using DIP bottom metal. It’s bedded top and bottom. It’s doing the same as yours. I’m going to sink the bottom metal in a bit, and likely build a new mag catch. The DIP uses the stock plastic catch out of your stock plastic floorplate.

 

[mcfred]

101, If you're one of those people who seriously hates the plastic magazine and you're in the market for an aluminum DIP piece you might look into Oregon Gunsmithing hinged floorplate option. it might save you some cutting on the stock if it "just fits:"

http://www.oregunsmithingllc.com/

http://www.65grendel.com/forum/showthread.php?21599-Oregon-Gunsmithing-has-begun-production-and-shipping-start-your-engine-s&p=253522&viewfull=1#post253522

@Supersubes , DIP makes a different Mini Mag catch too:

Howa Mini Action Aluminum Extended Magazine Catch

 

[LRI]

Here is how you solve this:

Understand this is gunsmithing business as usual. What I mean by that: You have a handful of people making stuff and none of them talk to one another. You buy all this shit with the expectation of it being plug n play and then reality sets in. There's simply no standard that anyone can source for this kind of information.

Here is the solution:

First, have it all assembled. B/A in the stock and snugged up. Remove the bolt. Now gas up a magazine with a few cartridges. Insert it and look down the ass end of the action.

IF its correct you will see the rim of the case invading the bolt circle with the primer running tangent to the bottom of the receiver bore. Draw these two basic shapes on a piece of paper and it will look like an upside down figure "8".

That is what's required for just about any push feed action to work properly. There must be sufficient case overlap with the bolt face so that the cartridge does not fall under the nose of the bolt as it transitions up the feed ramp.

If you dont have this you have two options. You either get the action to sit lower in the stock or you get the magazine to sit higher inside the floor metal.

Beating on feedlips and cursing anyone in your blast radius won't solve anything. So much of this stuff is application specific. An AI mag is different from an Accurate which is different from an ARC, etc...

Cases also play into this. Sharp shoulder angles and shallow body tapers aggravate the problem. It makes the entry angle more aggressive which causes the case rim to fall lower in relationship to the bolt nose.

Just know there likely isn't an easy button fix here and its very easy to ruin stuff should you decide to go caveman with a hammer, pliers, or Dremel tool.

Experience is never cheap.

 

[BurnOut]

FWIW, using the DIP bottom metal and a Boyd's Pro Varmint, my Howa mini in .223 worked as assembled.

Sample size: 1

 

[101stinfantry]

Thanks for the tips and suggestions. I just did what Chad suggested, and compared with my Tikka .223 (the Howa is a .300 BO). Anyway, they are pretty close the Howa sits maybe a 1/32nd lower than the Tikka, I don't have the tools to actually get in there and measure. Now that I look at it a little closer, it looks like the action is sitting a tad high, rather than the bottom metal/plastic not being recessed enough.

 

[101stinfantry]

Just installed the DIP bottom metal, it helped a tad, but not enough. I'll probably give LRI a call some time, there are couple other things I may have them work on while they have it anyway.

 

[sandwarrior]

Got any pics of what you're doing?

You may not have a stock to put the barreled action in, but you can make some dummy rounds and it should cycle with it all bolted together. Or, use snap-caps.

I agree with Chad, it's simply a case of top or bottom, the stock needs to be inletted more. I'm not sure, but does Boyd's say their stock is a drop-in?

 

[101stinfantry]

Pretty much what Chad said, the bolt will push the round forward until it starts up the feed ramp, and then the case head drops down under the bolt.

 

[AMMOWASTER]

Will the stocks not work with the factory bottom metal? Or is the DIP just preferred for some reason? I am following this because I just ordered a barreled action and was going to order a Boyds stock as well.

 

[Supersubes]

Will the stocks not work with the factory bottom metal? Or is the DIP just preferred for some reason? I am following this because I just ordered a barreled action and was going to order a Boyds stock as well.

The factory metal is not metal at all but cheap plastic that’s known for splitting at the mold line near the action screws.

 

[AMMOWASTER]

That makes sense. I hate that stuff. My Mohawk was the same way.

 

[sandwarrior]

The factory metal is not metal at all but cheap plastic that’s known for splitting at the mold line near the action screws.

That's good information to know.

 

[AMMOWASTER]

Just picked up my action today. That bottom plastic is certainly not stout at all.