• Extractor Detent Ball Upgrade

    Originally posted by Sharpshooter

    The standard procedure at Savage for handling customers complaining about ejection and extraction problems is to simply send replace parts until the problem disappears. Like I have explained before, the problems that arise with extraction and ejection are a direct result of a combination of parts with accumulating tolerances. Sometimes a different extractor will fix the problem as a tolerance of just a few thousandths difference might be all takes. The gun manufacturers cannot control the size of the ammo so the manufacturing tolerance in the bolt face diameter has to be accommodating for wide tolerance.

    Now for the good news......

    Since I have been receiving many calls with this problem, I began to study it closer. I have done many different things on various guns to remedy the problem, which included: making custom extractors, opening up smaller bolt faces to the correct diameter(.223 to .308) , making larger ejector pins,and I even bushed a bolt face to reduce the diameter to correct size. Then I tried something yesterday that made sense, and it is very simple. First let me explain...

    The spring pocket diameter in the bolt head (under the extractor plate) measures .150". The extractor spring measures .145", but the detent ball only measures .125". When the detent ball is centered in the detent of the extractor by spring pressure, it has .025" clearance between it and the hole dia. This make for side to side slop that will not compress the detent ball and spring. When a cartridge is pressed in the bolt face, the extractor,ball and spring can be deflected approx. .0125" before the detent ball compresses the spring. The result is that amount of movement will not spring back to center, essentially leaving the extractor claw not grabbing that much of the case.

    Is everyone following me on this? The fix is simple - use a bigger ball. I have some in stock, they measure .140", thus reducing the non-returning slop.
    I have tried this on several here in the shop and had 100% success rate, although there may be a combination of factors out there on a rifle that it may not help, but it sure as heck won't hurt.

    DISCLAIMER:
    The information contained in this article and the attached video are for educational purposes only. Should you choose to use this information to alter or modify your firearm you do so of your own accord. In doing so you accept full responsibility for any adverse affects, damages, injuries and/or death that may occur as a result.


    Comments 4 Comments
    1. davemuzz's Avatar
      davemuzz -
      Yup. I couldn't recall when someone had ask me recently if I used a smaller ball or a bigger ball when I re-barreled a Stevens to a .17 Fireball. After some back 'n fourth chatter it was determined that I must have used a bigger ball as a smaller ball would have caused me bigger problems.

      So, the moral of the story is......Bigger Balls always cause smaller problems. Errr....something like that. But the little 17 Firball will extract and eject. Just don't attempt to do it with a limp wrist.

      Dave
    1. Crossfire's Avatar
      Crossfire -
      I have re-barreled my hog hunter .308 to a 6mm br. I've been having feeding issues (doesn't feed) & extraction issues, (barely extracts) I know this won't address my feeding issues but I'm satisfied with solving one problem at a time. How much $ can I get one of your larger detent balls for?
    1. Hotolds442's Avatar
      Hotolds442 -
      Try the 6mm Norma bolt head, available from Savage Customer Service. Part number 107291. It should solve some of the problem.
    1. mr45acp2u's Avatar
      mr45acp2u -
      Drop me a pm. I purchased 100 from Amazon, I will put some in the mail to you.