Prohunter Magnum Problem

[meister-jaeger]

I picked up one of the new Prohunter barrels in .338 Win Mag with the Prohunter stock and took it to the range for the first time this weekend.   Overall I really like the stock and the barrel seems to have potential too although I have only shot one type of factory ammo so far. 

Here is the problem.  It is very difficult to load.  It is extremely hard to get the belt of the cartridge over the extractor.  Having acheived that, great care must be exercised to catch the rim.  About one in four times after you got the belt over the rim would slide past the extractor too.  I do not remember having this problem with my normal factory .300 Win Mag barrel.  This is very disappointing since I bought this barrel for hunting.  Loading is a real pain at the range and I can't imagine trying to deal with it in the field.  Has anyone else had similar problems?  Does anyone have a suggestion for dealing with this issue?  Thanks. 

[Redhawk1]

Bend the extractor down, just a little, enough to allow the belt to clear. I had the same problem with my 300 Win Mag barrel. It was just the extractor. Let us know if that worked.

[meister-jaeger]

Thank-you for the reply.  I was afraid I wouldn't be able to fix this barrel and I really can't see it being very useful to me the way it is. 

To bend the extractor do you apply gentle pressure with a pair of pliers or is there another recommended method?

Thanks again.

[Redhawk1]

I used my thumb and was able to slightly bend it. But you can use a pair of pliers.

[swampthing]

If you are a little nervous, remove the extractor to see if they chamber freely if they do, bend it or send it.