Savage PTA - perfect extraction, no ejection

[M.Stilley]

I shot my new-to-me Savage 12BR for the first time today. It won't eject spent cases, they end up just sitting loose in the action. Ejector will move, but it seems stiff.
What do I need to look at? Is it the stiff ejector?

 

[drybean]

Easy fix , install a .140 extractor detent ball
if you need a couple let me know

 

[savagedasher]

The ejector can be not be working or it could be missing . It a round pin and is spring loaded .
I remove mine I don't like the brass to hit the floor . Larry

 

[Deleted old_dood]

welcome to the club. Mine had that problem from the day I got it (new). I tried an ejector kit from SSS and a 9/64" ejector ball. Still had the problem. As a last resort, I ordered new extractors from Savage. Then it worked....for about a year reliably. Now it will eject about 25%. To tell you the truth, I'd really rather not have cases falling on the ground anyway so I'm leaving it alone.

 

[M-61]

Easy fix , install a .140 extractor detent ball
if you need a couple let me know

Lost me. How does the extractor ball come into play with the ejector?
Maybe it's too early and hot (!) but I don't get it.

 

[Rustystud]

Ejectors and extractors have completely different functions and parts.
I suggest you check and see if your ejector is gummed up or has week spring.

 

[memilanuk]

OP... what brand of brass are you using?

 

[ed k]

Its a savage. They gurantee them to eject half the cases or less. I bought my first one in 1978 and now have three and they are all the same. Tried to fix with some stuff from savage but no difference. If you slam the action back they will eject most. ED K

 

[mr45man]

Could be the case is "falling" off the extractor,
no that does not sound right.
To much slop between the extractor and case rim.

 

[memilanuk]

Could be the case is "falling" off the extractor,
no that does not sound right.
To much slop between the extractor and case rim.

I've had exactly that happen. SAAMI spec for extractor groove diameter is .409 - 0.020", or .389-.409. Almost everything I have in a .473 case head design - .308, 6 BR, 6.5x47, .22-250, .243, .30-06, etc. from most brands - Lapua, Remington, Federal, Winchester, Nosler, Norma - measure around .403-.405". One brand not mentioned above (which is why I asked earlier, what kind of brass) varies from lot to lot... one lot was .394-.397, next lot was .390-.395". Found out the hard way that despite any mods I was able to do, cases .394 and below would drop free of the extractor as soon as they exited the chamber. My working theory is that without the extractor bottomed out in the groove, there is nothing for the ejector to 'pin' the case against, and it comes loose and drops.

Short of getting a longer extractor (and I did ask) I'm not sure there is much else to do. The brass manufacturer will likely fall back on the "It's within SAAMI spec, therefor fine" excuse.

 

[BillPa]

Lost me. How does the extractor ball come into play with the ejector?

It doesn't. A .140" ball is a better fit in the extractor detent than the factory .125"s. Most times the 125s bottom out in the bottom of extractor detent instead on it's sides allowing some side to side slop and may not allow it to "home" every time or not at all. Its one of the reasons some or not all brass will eject, it depends on the diameter of their rims.

But I sorta doubt the ball-extractor is the issue here since a case is initially pulled from the chamber. One thing to look for is a sharp corner on the top edge of the lug race in the ring.

It tends to grab a case and pull it out of the extractor. Most times one can feel it with a finger. Its especially problematic with the short fatties, it typically grabs them at the rear edge of the shoulder then rips them out of the extractor. As a matter of SOP I break both the top and bottom corners when I have a barrel off.
Another, the ejector protrusion. It can be extended by filing the rear of the retaining pin slot so its even with the rear edge of the lead bevel on the bolthead. A little more than that won't hurt but go too much a rim of a case will hang up on it when feeding from a mag.

Last, if not ready, install the new style ejector w/the follower (L) and a new spring.

Bill

 

[M.Stilley]

Lapua brass 6br

 

[Riesel]

Replace the ejector spring and plunger. Probably got scorched with a popped primer and has lost it's integrity.

 

[primer popper]

Any brass shorter than 223 Rem does not eject reliably in a Savage. The case neck tilts up & rides on the inside of the receiver, until bolt is pulled back.

 

[savagedasher]

Any brass shorter than 223 Rem does not eject reliably in a Savage. The case neck tilts up & rides on the inside of the receiver, until bolt is pulled back.

I have a few 6mm BR and dashers and they all eject both are shorter then a 223 . Larry