'69 Vetterli Feed Issue

[rescuerandy2]

Good Evening. Greatly enjoyed the a recently purchased '69 Vetterli in single-shot mode. Recoil was minimal and accuracy amazing. However, when I went into repeater mode, driving the bolt home became almost impossible. Looks like the carrier was a bit high and the bolt was unable to overcome the "lip." Also does this with no ammo present. I am readying the Dremel but would hope for a better fix. Looks like an 1/8" to 1/16" off. Thanks, Randy

Information

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[jamie5070]

I just got on the vetterli band wagon but haven't made up ammo for it yet. Before using the dremel I would check the part that togels and is acted upon by the bolt as it is cycled. It sounds like it is not pushing the cartride lifter down fully before the bolt reaches it. Maybe the top of the part is worn or the bottom of the bolt is worn. There is another board that has a lot of vetterli shooters, http://the swissriflesdotcommessageboard.yuku.com. Try asking there before taking any metal off.
john

[browningautorifle]

I too would suspect the parts are worn or maybe just caked with junk. Have a good look and clean before reconfiguring the fine machining of this rifle...

[rescuerandy2]

Got it. Yes, not worn but loose screw in the lifter mechanism allowed much too much play. Tightened it, added some Locktite, and is cycles like a Swiss clock. Will try it out this Saturday and let you know how big a smoke cloud I can make in the Mad-Minute. Thanks, Randy

[jamie5070]

I just experienced a similar problem with my rifle. My problem was caused by the nylon firing pin carrier that I made being too wide in the bolt body. It wouldn't allow the cartridge lifter to operate. it went away when I flushed it with the bolt body.
john

---------- Post added at 10:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:14 PM ----------

Randy, What size and style of bullet are you using and with what case length?
Thanks, john

[rescuerandy2]

Cartridge length = 1.55"
OAL = 2.20"
Bullet is .430 / 350grains

Nyon carrier flush with sides of case.

Randy

[jamie5070]

Where were you able tp find 350gr bullets for your vetterli. I've thought about buying an inexpensive Lee pistol mold but they only go up to 240gr.
Lyman has a few others but they are quite a bit more.
Thanks, john

[rescuerandy2]

HI John,

Went to Mountain Molds and used their design engine to make a heavier bullet which made it longer. That gave me the OAL of 2.20" with good seating for the bullet.

http://www.mountainmolds.com/

Randy

[jamie5070]

Thanks for the link. I didn't know about him. He's quite a bit cheaper than NEI for the person who wants something thats a step up from the standard available molds. Did you design your bullet to be a healed type?
john

[rescuerandy2]

To be honest, I am not a precision reloader and just use what works and makes the most smoke. Most of my rifles are a bit worn and I like them that way. Just adds to the possibility of them having been "there". So, when I reload the bullets just need to get me on the paper and I am happy. With the Vetterli, I needed to make a longer bullet and left it at that. Not healed but they worked great when I got past the feeding issue. Mountain Molds worked great for me and the price was right. Randy