Push feed and controlled feed

Some prefer the controlled round feed for hunting dangerous game, while others state that either of the systems can be reliable or unreliable,[4] depending for example on the quality of the rifle and maintenance.

[citation needed] Push feed mechanisms in theory give the opportunity to design a safer firearm when it comes to a case rupture (for example due to overpressure or excessive headspace) since the bolt head can be designed with a smaller extractor claw which in turn gives the rest of the bolt head a bigger surface area and therefore better support for the cartridge during firing.

This can give a marginally quicker cyclic rate with a push feed action, since the bolt no longer has to be repeated as far or all the way back.

[citation needed] As a result, controlled feed mechanisms should always be fed with cartridges which first have been filled into the magazine.

While possessing a claw extractor and operating on the controlled feed principle, the M77 rifles have a "Mauser-type"[12] bolt which is also designed to be able to "jump" over a round already in the chamber.