Remington 700 extractor damaging my cases?

[Fredericianer]

I've been having a problem with my new Remington SPS Varmint in .308, and after a bit of googling found a thread here which seems to describe my problem exactly.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/extractor-damaging-my-cases.751996/

I took it back to the shop a couple of days ago, but they weren't much help. I was told that the chamber had just needed a clean, and that the problem should be solved.

Unfortuately this wasn't the case, as far as I can tell it's still exactly the same as it was.

I have a friend who has a 700 in .260 Rem, so I'm going to ask if I can try chambering a round in my rifle with his bolt (though obviously not firing due to possible headspace issues). My thoughts are if I can chamber a round with no problems, and without having to use brute force to close the bolt handle (as it is with my bolt), then I can definitely rule out the chamber as the source of the problem.

The thread is locked, but I'd be very interested in any more input or photos, describing how to fix it, as I can show them at the gunshop when I take it back again next week. I won't be taking their word for it that it's fixed next time either!

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[BBBBill]

I have a friend who has a 700 in .260 Rem, so I'm going to ask if I can try chambering a round in my rifle with his bolt (though obviously not firing due to possible headspace issues). My thoughts are if I can chamber a round with no problems, and without having to use brute force to close the bolt handle (as it is with my bolt), then I can definitely rule out the chamber as the source of the problem.

Not necessarily so. Depending on the particular bolt, barrel, and receiver combination, you might not be able to close the bolt due to too little headspace. Then there's the variability of the ammo. Although the basic case dimensions from the shoulder back are the same for both calibers, variations in the ammo can add complexity to the issue. Best to get with someone really knowledgeable to check your rifle. Could be the extractor, bolt face, chamber, or a combination of factors.

 

[LoonWulf]

can we get some pictures of YOUR extractor and bolt head? Ive got two rem700s one old style whos extractor gave out, and was replaced with a new style. The other is still the old style but both have worked fine so far. I remember having to contour my 2008 guns extractor to smooth out bolt closing, tho it didnt eat rims if i remember correctly.

 

[Fredericianer]

Yep, not til tomorrow though. My rifle was made in 2012, and has the clip type extractor.

 

[LoonWulf]

Im betting the extractor is either slightly miss shaped or the curve is wrong pictures should tell

 

[Fredericianer]

Here it is.

 

[LoonWulf]

looks like the upper part of the extractor blade and the spring arm above it may not be seating far enough into the recess. Ill look at the two i have to see how far in they sit.

Mine are both below flush, maybe take a pick or other small object and try sliding the extractor around in its grove a little, or removing it competely, there maybe stuff stuck behind it or the extractor itself might be miss shaped.

 

[shooter1niner]

the extractor should be able to be pushed out of the way ( into a recess in the bolt ) by the rim upon chambering the round. If the recess is dirty enough it will hinder this from happening. Take a piece of 1/4 in rod ( or something along those lines ) and see if you can apply enough sideways pressure to the extractor to make it slide into the recess. If it does not move out completely of the way of the rim that could be the problem.

 

[Reloadron]

The thread is locked, but I'd be very interested in any more input or photos, describing how to fix it, as I can show them at the gunshop when I take it back again next week. I won't be taking their word for it that it's fixed next time either!

If it is in fact the extractor one possible fix, with a competent smith, is to install a Sako Extractor. A simple Google of "Sako Extractor Remington 700" will bring up a dozen hits as to what I am getting at. I converted a Remington 700 .223 Remington bolt to 6 PPC (220 Russian) and had to open the bolt face. The smith teaching me taught me how to use the Sako Extractor available from Brownells and a host of others. This proved totally reliable and I have seen Remington Extractor problems permanently cured with this method. Just make sure the extractor is the problem and it does not just need cleaning or crud removed from under it and the spring is functioning correctly.

Ron

 

[Bart B.]

Over many years of high power rifle shooting, the most often parts failure I've seen is Remington extractors breaking or failing. Even if their actions are only 10 to 20 percent of all used.

No wonder a Remington field rep used a Winchester 70 action in his match rifle winning matches including the Nationals.

 

[Fredericianer]

Just a quick update. I cleaned as much as I could without removing the extractor, chambered/extracted a good few times, and it now seems to have 'worn in' sufficiently that I can use the rifle normally. I was actually at the range a few days ago and fired 45 shots with no issues.

 

[Reloadron]

Yay, we like happy endings.

Ron

 

[edwardware]

I cleaned as much as I could without removing the extractor. . .

A new extractor costs ~$6, and once you have it in hand you'll feel free to remove the old one and properly clean the bolt. . . You should have a spare anyway.