Excellent stuff Waidmannsheil. I'm so pleased to hear your work at that rediculous hour has paid off.
I have looked again today and cannot see any other way of making the brass function other than how you and one or two others have done. So, today I blagged the Dremmel from the engineers workshop & told the CE he could have it back on Monday.

I'm going to go at it gently to get it right.

As to what has changed..well it's impossible to tell. I also have Norma brass now, brand new and waiting on a number of bits of this project to be completed. I think the dimensions of the brass seem OK, but whether over nearly 100 years the movement of brass has worn the stainless rotor and release tab is something one has to question. Although neither appear worn, perhaps they actually are - enough to make the difference.

I have RWS 159gn round nose factory ammunition, but actually intend my loads to utilise the Hornady SST 140gn or 129gn bullet. I have both here and am simply looking for legal MV & ME to shoot reds in Scotland. I have an appointment with some stags in September & would really like to use this rifle.

I think the previous owner cannot have tried to feed from the magazine and probably just placed rounds in one at a time....or, he is indeed bullshitting.
Anyway, the problem will soon be resolved.

The next project after sorting this issue is to get my S&B 8x56 scope mounted... roll on...
Thanks so much for your input Waidmannsheil and that of all you other chaps, particularly Iowa 303 & jorgen too. Happy hunting all.