Need gunsmith advice on m16 extractor on install

[308forthewin]

Hi all...first post here. Seems like a great place for no BS commentary and advice. My issue may not be one at all, but I have to know. I recently had an m16 extractor installed on a .308 win rem 700. It started as a .308 and remains a .308 so no bolt face diameter change. The gunsmith/machinist simply installed the new extractor without making or installing the filler bushing. the extractor has a bevel or chamfer at the front so no need to open up the barrel for clearance and looks like he did a nice job of it. Works and ejects flawless but my concern is the slot the original ejector sat is still present and a round placed in the bolt while removed from the rifle has quite a bit of wiggle room/clearance. Contacted him as soon as I noticed this and he says that unless he's opening up the diameter for a larger caliber he does not do the filler bushing. Is this a normal process or should I have him install the bushing?

 

[Walt Krafft]

A quality job would include the bushing IMO.

 

[308forthewin]

I agree. His price was really good and hindsight tells me I should have known but I was naïve. I certainly would have paid the cost for the complete job if I'd known. Really at this point want to know if it's potentially dangerous. Sounds like he's done many of these like mine in the past but I don't know anyone to ask how it worked out.

 

[swd]

If not him, I’d have someone bush it to fill the old extractor groove. It’s not even hard or time consuming to do..

 

[Walt Krafft]

Is it dangerous? No. It will be fine to shoot and see if it works ok. A 308 is long enough that the ejector will probably hold it on the extractor. 6BR it will be a problem.

 

[10XSHOOTER]

Send it to Chad at LRI. He can fix it!

 

[308forthewin]

I'm sure he can but it functions very well so if not dangerous I will continue to shoot it until the warmer summer temps get here then take it back up to him. He has no issues doing it, just not looking forward to being without my rifle for weeks again lol. Thanks for your responses guys.

 

[10XSHOOTER]

If you call Chad, I'd bet he can turn it around for you in less than 2 weeks!

 

[DaveTooley]

I've done it both ways. Much neater look with the bushing but does take considerably more time. When you have the bushing installed leave the counterbore depth at .150" with a slight internal chamfer. That way if you ever go with a shorter case you won't have ejection issues. It's a common self inflicted problem.