Took my 1924 Early model F 99 to the range today. The rifle shot very well with Hornady Superformance ammo, but one thing I noticed is that when loading the first round; I would have to hold the carrier away from it's resting position...i.e. I had to physically turn it to allow the first bullet to enter the magazine. After the first round was loaded, the others went in easily.

Is it generally normal to have to slightly rotate the carrier, when loading the first round? or should the first round enter without having to rotate the carrier?

Thanks...I re-furbished this rifle, and I may have wound the carrier slightly too much.