[rescuerandy2]

Good Afternoon. Just back form the range where I had a blast with my first Lebel. After getting the ammo (flat nose) and magazine up to speed, it was great to fire the rifle as it was intended to be used. However, right from the start, there was an intermittent problem upon extracting and feeding. After firing, I pulled back on the bolt and both the spent round and the fresh round would be ejected. Not every time but enough to be a pain. Me again or the rifle? Thanks, Randy.

 

[orcmastiffs]

rescuerandy2:

Is it you, the rifle or perhaps the ammunition? Any or all could be the answer. My Lebel rifles are worn and the elevators activates with different force, in all of them. The trick is to recall the muscle-memory required by the individual rifle. (I should add that our R35s are like new, but still have problems with lighter ammunition) The loads approximating the balle M, (if that was the first issued round), work better than any others. With your one shooter, I would think that you should be able to acquire the correct touch and be ready for the mad-minute in short order. One must adapt to these old tools. It is easier than reworking them to our tastes or expectations.

Edit: Upon rereading the above I wish for you to know that it was not my intent to be insulting or flippant. French rifles are easily mastered if you focus upon their quirks, and work with them. Only if the problem cannot be overcome, then repairs may be in order, but you are in the position to best determine that. Good luck and let us know how things progress.

 

[rescuerandy2]

Good Morning Orcmastiffs,

No insult taken. I agree with your assessment on muscle-memory. What probably complicated the situation at the range was the Mosin-Nagant and GEW98 that I shot before the Lebel. Moving to the Lebel was exciting and it also brought several distractions. First, the feeding of the rounds into the magazinene and then the sounds and feel of the rounds being feed toward the chamber. The "assembly line" mechanism is interesting. When compared to my other rifles sporting mannlicher or box magazines, your point about mastering individual weapons is well taken. Thanks, Randy.

 

[kelt]

Randy, the overall length of your flat nosed cartridges may be the origin of your problem, if the cartridge is too short, when you activate forcefuly the loading tray (auget), the tip of the bullet is not stopped on its upward motion by the receiver roof and fly out.




If your choice of bullet dimension is such that you can't achieve the necessary length, then as already mentionned by Orcmastiff you need to adapt the rearward motion of the bolt to positively eject the spent case but not the next round.

kelt

 

[revelation1911]

The original bulet weight was somewhere in the 200-220 range and a light bullet will do the same.
I have use the prive stuff with no ill affect, you can blunt the point a little on grinder if you worry about it.

 

[rescuerandy2]

I am using Meister 170grain Flat Nose (.854" length) bullets. They are definitely shorter and lighter than the OEMs. I do have Prvi that I was using single shot. Will blunt a few and see what happens. Will also look for some heavier rounds to get close to OEM weight and length. Any recommendations on brands for those rounds. Thanks all, Randy.

Kelt, thanks for the Spring info.

 

[les1234]

I use a cast bullet from a custom mould sold by Mid South Shooters supply, a 215 grain "Karabiner". Have to seat it as far out as possible to work. If I was ordering again, I'd get the heavier 225 gr version.

 

[rescuerandy2]

Thanks Les. I am not ready to get into lead casting at this time. What would you recommend off the shelf? Thanks, Randy.