Replaced the Bolt Head- Bolt will not close on a loved round

**Crow Juice** · 08-04-2016, 10:31 AM

Well per the title I can't close the bolt on a round or a resized empty case. It will close with nothing in the chamber. This is a Savage head and I measured the thickness of the lug and it appears to be a .010" thicker than the original.I verified the bolt was reassembled correctly. Any Thoughts?

**olddav** · 08-04-2016, 10:42 AM

After replacing the bolt head you will need to reset the headspace.

**keeki** · 08-04-2016, 11:03 AM

Yupp, set the headspace

**FW Conch** · 08-04-2016, 12:38 PM

Delete Post

**keeki** · 08-04-2016, 12:41 PM

He never said a headspace gauge chambered

**FW Conch** · 08-04-2016, 12:57 PM

Yes, I thought You were the OP saying that was the case. So I deleated the post when I realized My mistake.

But, +3, headspace needs to be reset when bolt head is changed :-)

**Crow Juice** · 08-04-2016, 01:33 PM

Hey guys I don't have a head space Guage for my 7-08 . I had a primer blow out and it caused the ejector to get stuck down in the hole . I don't know of a way to get it out so I just bought a new head. Was hoping I would not have to screw with adjusting head space.

**Mozella** · 08-04-2016, 02:00 PM

Originally Posted by Crow Juice

Hey guys I don't have a head space Guage for my 7-08 . I had a primer blow out and it caused the ejector to get stuck down in the hole . I don't know of a way to get it out so I just bought a new head. Was hoping I would not have to screw with adjusting head space.

Many people, including me, set head space with a difference of only two thou or less tolerance. In other words, it will close on a go gauge, but won't close on a case more than .002" longer.

So if you replace your bolt head with one .010" longer, you wouldn't expect to even come close to closing. You ALWAYS have to set headspace when changing bolt heads.

**keeki** · 08-04-2016, 02:06 PM

You can use a sized case and two pieces of scotch tape to set headspace. Sized case is go gauge, sized case with 2 pieces of scotch tape on it is no go. As far as the ejector pin, just take a punch and knock out the keeper, pull the pin and you'll see that you just compressed the spring

**Crow Juice** · 08-04-2016, 06:41 PM

Well I removed the retaining pin that holds the ejector . However, the ejector is stuck down inside the hole. I got a new one with the new head .

**keeki** · 08-04-2016, 06:47 PM

I usually dig those out with a fine scribe or needle

**Crow Juice** · 08-04-2016, 07:26 PM

I tried that but no dice

**drybean** · 08-04-2016, 09:21 PM

MY be there a member near by that can help?

**Robinhood** · 08-04-2016, 09:48 PM

Originally Posted by drybean

Maybe there is a member near by that can help you set your head space?

Fix it for you drybean

**Crow Juice** · 08-04-2016, 10:37 PM

Could the old ejector be drilled out?

**Robinhood** · 08-04-2016, 11:03 PM

Try and soak it in a thin solvent or penetrating fluid over night. Use a tool to push the plunger in then release trying this multiple times. If it starts to move, carefully remove the cross pin and take it apart with prudence in a clean room with everything painted white. Sometimes it helps to spray some brake cleaner or carburetor cleaner in there too. Wear eye protection.

**foxx** · 08-04-2016, 11:23 PM

if it makes you feel any better, I have one just like it laying around here somewhere.

never was able to remove it once it got jammed.

**geargrinder** · 08-04-2016, 11:52 PM

Originally Posted by Robinhood

Try and soak it in a thin solvent or penetrating fluid over night. Use a tool to push the plunger in then release trying this multiple times. If it starts to move, carefully remove the cross pin and take it apart with prudence in a clean room with everything painted white. Sometimes it helps to spray some brake cleaner or carburetor cleaner in there too. Wear eye protection.

Put the retaining pin back in then do this. Repeatedly for a couple days.

Once you get it to budge, you're golden. Just keep at it.

**Blue Avenger** · 06-22-2022, 02:00 PM

if it is only loved rounds, i'm going to suggest unloving the round so it can relax.
Bolt feel like there is drag on empty chamber also?

**Dave Hoback** · 06-22-2022, 04:51 PM

Lol! ANCIENT thread, by a guy who hasn’t been here since 2016!

**wbm** · 06-22-2022, 05:17 PM

Well then let's be ANCIENT "ain't that the bee's knees?"

**Blue Avenger** · 06-23-2022, 11:00 PM

Originally Posted by Dave Hoback

Lol! ANCIENT thread, by a guy who hasn’t been here since 2016!

guess we all have a bit of "Grave Digger" in us

**Spudgun** · 07-23-2022, 05:48 PM

Originally Posted by Crow Juice

Well I removed the retaining pin that holds the ejector . However, the ejector is stuck down inside the hole. I got a new one with the new head .

Last week I was shooting and after about 15 rounds the cases would not eject.

Looked at the ejector and it was about 1/32 of a inch recessed into the bolt face.

Would not come out. My guess is the spring cracked and doubled up in the ejector hole. No way to get it out easily.

Having my buddy try to use a mill and see if he can mill off some of the ejector to be able to get a hold of it and pull it out.

Where did you get your bolt face at?

Larry