Ruger Mk 77 Control round feed question

[jlw3417]

I just purchased a used Ruger Mk 77 in 7x57 at a local gun shop. After arriving home and looking at the bolt closely, it appears the bolt is "upside down". Is this possible?

The "slot" in the bolt face where the cartridge feeds is on the "top" of the bolt, not the bottom where the cartridge rim would normally feed as the round loads from the magazine. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

JLW

[Harry Bonar]

Dear shooter:
I can't imagine how this could be, but maybe the firing assembly is not screwed in all the way? Otherwise, I am at a loss without actually seeing the rifle!
I'm sure that there is an exceedingly simple explanation but I don't have one - I'm sure someone else of the Forum will.
Good shooting Harry B. :confused:
As I sit here it seems to me impossible, since the bolt handle and body are on piece, for this to be true! We both need help! :confused:

[scottys1]

Your question made me think.
After looking at my Ruger 77 .243 (not a Mark II), I find it is not a controlled round feed. It has a Mauser extractor but has a plunger ejector rather than a fixed receiver mounted ejector like a Mauser. It works like a push feed and the extractor snaps over the rim when the cartridge enters the chamber. The bolt face rim is relieved only enough to allow the extractor to pivot when the bolt is rotated. I've never had a single feed problem or failure to extract since I've had this rifle, so obviously the system works.

[DnPRK]

Got pictures of the bolt and bolt face?

[HankL]

Not to worry jlw. That is the way Ruger made the M77.
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=12052

Ruger77 bolt on left and 98Mauser bolt on right.