How many rounds fit in a Model 14 Magazine?

[m0ondoggy]

My dad just finished making a model 14 follower on my lathe. We didn't have exact dimensions to work from, so we did the best we could. It feels like it's hanging up after 3 rounds are in the tube.

It looks like it should hold way more than 3 rounds in the tube, maybe 4 or 5?

If I load one, and let it go under the gate I can get 2 more in front of it for a total of 3 before it binds. Is that normal? If not, we have some more work to do .

Thanks for the help so far.

[m0ondoggy]

Thanks guys. Noel, specific dimensions would help a great deal. This gun is in .30 Rem. Also, how much spring pressure is there on the follower? We got a pretty generic spring from numerich, that I'm pretty sure is a one size fits all deal that we're going to need to cut.

[m0ondoggy]

Interesting, I didn't realize there was a wood plug in there. Numerich sent me a super spring about 3 feet long, and I'm sure it's the wrong part. What are the dimensions on the spring? I think the main problem I've been having is that as the spring compresses it becomes wider than the diameter of the piston end on the follower and then binds the whole works in the tube.

Thanks for your help.

[m0ondoggy]

Yeah, even with barely any starting compression it still binds. I've had real bad luck with numerich lately. The spring was listed as a "super spring" so I think it's some one size fits all replacement spring. I'll have to mic it in the morning and see what gauge it is.

[m0ondoggy]

Yep, it's working. We ended up twisting the spring on a rod a bit to narrow the OD and it works pretty well now. I'm guessing your spring may be weak and the plug was added to stiffen it up some.

Either way, I'm all set now. Thank you for your help, it was invaluable.

[m0ondoggy]

If anyone is interested, here are the plans for the reverse engineered follower. We added a dimple to the center of the follower to make it a little easier to load.