Re: stevens top feed issues
Sounds like you are not bringing the bolt all the way back. But I dont have a Stevens .223, so I dont know if the magazine presents the round correctly. You can also bend the top rear of the magazine metal forward so it comes up in front of the bolt every time.
Re: stevens top feed issues
Also sounds to me like you're not bringing the bolt back all the way. Just enough to eject the spent case.
I'd think if there was a problem with the mag itself it wouldnt feed no matter how many times you worked the bolt.
Re: stevens top feed issues
I had the same problem with my Stevens .223. The case would be angled slightly up at the front. I tried tweaking the feed lips and stretching the mag spring but was never able to get it to feed the second round reliably. The only solution I found was to load the mag one round short of full capacity.
Re: stevens top feed issues
Give Solothurn's suggestion a try as long as your sure you are pulling the bolt completely back so the bolt can "pick up" that second cartridge.
But, I will agree that when you have a full magazine there are times when those cartridges will "jam" in there. One solution I have found is to remove the stock, which will allow the follower and spring to "fall out." Sometimes the follower will bind in the magazine box. So, I've spread the box to allow a little more play for the follower.
If you don't feel comfortable doing this and you bought the gun new, take it back to the gun shop and 'splain it to em. They should be able to fix it fairly quickly.
FWIW
Dave