Savage bolt head

[Rick Ratzlaff]

Just starting load development with my new Savage 243 and the floating bolt head. I start by loading a ladder test at 0.3 grains increments. Starting low and creeping upward until I see pressure signs like the ejector smilie face on the case base.

I have never seen that sign even when the bolt lift is tough and I sense high-pressure signs like a blown primer "oops".

Is that standard for the Savage bolt face to NOT show the ejector smile on the case base?

 

[SKWERLZ]

No, savage isn’t immune to ejector marks, like sll pressure signs there’s variables.

 

[KMart]

The Savage ejector is about 1/4 the diameter of a Remington ejector, making the marks harder to find.

 

[Rick Ratzlaff]

Thanks, I guess I'll keep going up the ladder instead of pulling the bullets. I found 2 nodes in 2 out of 3 powders but stopped with 6 out of 20 still intact.

 

[JB10]

I can vouch for being able to see ejector marks with a savage. I was lucky on my behalf.