Fail to eject problem

[Pyscodog]

Savage Axis II chambered in 300 BO extracts the spent case but then drops the case in the action before it ejects. It ejects a loaded round just fine but after its fired the case is so short it falls off the bolt face before it clears the ejection port. I read that maybe a lighter spring might solve the problem. Any suggestions other than just put up with the issue? Or send it down the road??

 

[Rocketvapor]

Does it have the "enhanced" extractor ball?
I bet a little lighter ejector spring would help.
Here's a 22N with NO ejector spring holding the case.

 

[Pyscodog]

I don't mean to sound stupid (LOL) but I'm not sure about an enhanced extractor ball. Its a factory rifle I bought used but fired very little. I have a good feeling as to why it was traded in. Sharp Shooter Supply offers a spring kit that they claim solves ejector issues. If a spring is all it takes to help my problem it would be worth the money for the kit.

Picture of mine below.

 

[Rocketvapor]

The enhanced extractor benefit hinges on a 0.040" ball instead of the factory 0.025" ball.
The enhanced extractor has a better fit around the rim.
Cutting the ejector spring a little might help keeping short cases on the extractor.

 

[Turkeytider]

PM sent

 

[Pyscodog]

I had a spare spring so I cut one coil off and put it back together. Same issue so I dis-assembled the bolt and trimmed another coil off the spring, still didn't help. I found an old Bic lighter and the spring was pretty close to the same diameter and a lot lighter so I cut a piece the same length and tried it. Now it extracts but the case stays on the bolt face, still no ejection. I took the ejector back out and cut another spring from the Bic only a littler longer than the previous but got the same results as before. It extracted but didn't eject. I guess the spring from the Bic was just not strong enough to eject the case. I sent SSS an email about their enhanced spring kit but no reply. I sent Savage another email about the problem but they are "reviewing" my issue. Its hard to believe I have the only Axis in 300BO that won't eject a spent case. I haven't given up, just not sure what to do next. I'd love suggestions.

 

[mike mccormick]

Sounds like an extractor issue, not an ejector issue.

 

[DLT]

I had a spare spring so I cut one coil off and put it back together. Same issue so I dis-assembled the bolt and trimmed another coil off the spring, still didn't help. I found an old Bic lighter and the spring was pretty close to the same diameter and a lot lighter so I cut a piece the same length and tried it. Now it extracts but the case stays on the bolt face, still no ejection. I took the ejector back out and cut another spring from the Bic only a littler longer than the previous but got the same results as before. It extracted but didn't eject. I guess the spring from the Bic was just not strong enough to eject the case. I sent SSS an email about their enhanced spring kit but no reply. I sent Savage another email about the problem but they are "reviewing" my issue. Its hard to believe I have the only Axis in 300BO that won't eject a spent case. I haven't given up, just not sure what to do next. I'd love suggestions.

You’re not alone. Many savages have that problem. I finally took my ejector out of my 223. So much more easier that fiddling with a loose case

 

[Pyscodog]

At least with the light Bic springs I could reach in and pull the case off the extractor. I may just run it this way if Savage has no solutions. Sure won't be any fast follow up shots though.

 

[Pyscodog]

Sounds like an extractor issue, not an ejector issue.

I just read a post from FClasser in 2006 about a Savage 223 that had the same issue. Wonder if he even got it sorted out?

The rifle extracts fine, just won't eject.

 

[mike mccormick]

The extractor is releasing the case head before the ejector can act upon it

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

So reducing the spring tension is opposite of the fix.

 

[Pyscodog]

I think (and I'm no gunsmith or guru) that the extractor is doing its job. The case is short and the ejector is pushing it off the face of the bolt before it makes it to the ejection port causing it to drop into the action just after it clears the chamber. (Makes sense to me, LOL.) I tried cutting off a few coils on the ejector spring and that didn't help. I then used a Bic lighter spring and then it stays on the bolt face, all the way to a fully open bolt, just no ejection. I can then reach into the port and pull the case off the bolt face with my fingers. This is actually better than no ejection. Does this make sense to you folks?

I've called Savage and was on eternal hold until I gave up. Then I sent emails and the reply I got was they are reviewing my problem. That was three days ago. I'm pretty sure the people at Savage are pretty much aware of the issue as I can't be the only one with this problem. The only reason I bought this rifle was because it was cheap. LOL, you get what you pay for. But I love a challenge.

 

[Rocketvapor]

Did you MEASURE the Extractor Ball?
If it has the 0.025" ball the extractor gives up early.
The 0.040" holds the extractor better.

 

[Pyscodog]

So reducing the spring tension is opposite of the fix.

Basically yes. With the spring from the Bic, the case extracts and stays on the face of the bolt until the bolt is completely retracted to the rear of the action. Then you can reach into the action and pull the case off the bolt face and its snug. This is why I feel the issue is with the ejector and ejector spring and not the extractor. Its seems to me that the extractor is doing its job. But I could be totally wrong.

Something I have fail to mention. It will extract and eject a loaded round just fine. If it matters.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

The extra weight of an unfired cartridge keeps it on the extractor longer, until ejector throws out the port?

 

[Pyscodog]

I took it back to the shop I got it from and the gunsmith and myself looked at it. I took a fired case and a live round and he saw what it was doing and we both agreed, right or wrong, it looked like a design flaw from Savage. They gave me a full refund on the rifle towards a NIB Gen II Ruger in 300 BO. Its a nicer looking rifle, the bolt is multiple times smoother and it will eject a fired case across the room.......every time. Problem solved. Thank all of you for your input even if we didn't solve the problem.

 

[Dgd6mm]

Good for you,
I don't like the Savage Axis.
I don't like the Ruger Gen 2 stock.
However the Ruger American Gen 1in .223 has my interest.
I've owned between 25-30 Savage rifles. One was a .223 Axis, it shot good enough to bust rocks at 700 yards but I just couldn't warm up the it.

Please let us know how your Ruger shoots.

 

[boltfluter]

I took it back to the shop I got it from and the gunsmith and myself looked at it. I took a fired case and a live round and he saw what it was doing and we both agreed, right or wrong, it looked like a design flaw from Savage. They gave me a full refund on the rifle towards a NIB Gen II Ruger in 300 BO. Its a nicer looking rifle, the bolt is multiple times smoother and it will eject a fired case across the room.......every time. Problem solved. Thank all of you for your input even if we didn't solve the problem.

In my opinion it is a design flaw. The short cases pivot into the bolt lug raceway and essentially pivot off of the extractor at the same time. And drops the case due to the severe angle. It holds onto a loaded round due to the extra length provided by the bullet. Personally, I would run it as a single shot or send it down the road.
Paul

 

[Pyscodog]

In my opinion it is a design flaw. The short cases pivot into the bolt lug raceway and essentially pivot off of the extractor at the same time. And drops the case due to the severe angle. It holds onto a loaded round due to the extra length provided by the bullet. Personally, I would run it as a single shot or send it down the road.
Paul

This is what I thought all along. Maybe if a person had a box full of springs and the time to mess with it he might find the right combination but its doubtful. The gunsmith also said he thought it was a bad design and doubted it would ever work. I still haven't got a reply from Savage. I think they are well aware of the issue and don't know how to fix it. It all worked out. I do a lot of business with that gunshop and they gave me a full refund towards the Ruger so they still made money. And I left with a rifle that at least functions correctly.