Savage 14 in 7mm-08 not ejecting

[UnitMaster]

Hi all. I'[m new to the Highroad but not to firearms.

I just got a gently used Savage 14 American classic in 7mm-08 for my son. When we got it we ran some snap caps through the gun and I noticed that it would not eject the rounds. I didn't worry about it too much as I assumed it was just because the snap cap still had the faux bullet on it.

Yesterday however, we took it to the range to sight in his scope. At least half the spent cartridges failed to eject cleanly from the rifle, and dropped back down and laid in the action.

Any ideas what would cause this?

 

[Mac's Precision]

I find that the vast majority of ejection issues are rather extractor issues. Examine the extractor for fit and function. The extractor should hold the case in the bolt face tight so that the ejector can properly kick it on the way out the door. If you have a failed extractor with regard to fit..and or spring tension that can lead to less than enthusiastic ejection. Clean the bolt face well with a good solvent and examine under bright light for wear issues or lack of spring tension. Insert an empty case and shake the bolt while out of the action to see if it will in fact hold the empty tight in the bolt face.

Let us know.

Cheers
Mac.

 

[UnitMaster]

Thanks Mac. I think you are dead on. The extractor seems like it won't hold the cartridge tightly and is letting go of the case before the bolt pulls the brass back to eject. Do you think I should just order a replacement extractor, extractor spring and ball? I took them out, cleaned them and tried stretching the extractor spring. It doesn't seem to have made any difference. My belief is that the extractor edge is worn and needs replacing. I figure at this point to just replace all 3. How expensive could they be?

 

[Mac's Precision]

The plan of replacement is probably a good one as the parts are inexpensive. The extractor needs to be a postitive hook...it should have .015 to .030 spring out and should hold the brass case tight. If the hook is not sharp and clearly hooked back toward the bolt face...installing new parts is a good plan.

Once properly installed the brass case head should snap in tight and you should be able to see that it is secure in the bolt face.

Let us know how that works out.
Hope it helps
Cheers
Mac.

 

[rcmodel]

Check to make sure the ejector blade & spring are still in place behind the magazine box.

If it is missing or bound up, the rifle won't eject.

As a side note, stretching the spring on the extractor was not a good idea.
Once a spring is stretched, the elastic limit of the steel has been exceeded and it will continue to weaken faster then it would have before it was stretched.
I would replace it.

rc

 

[Ifishsum]

Many Savages had a bronze extractor piece, and replacing it with a newer steel one may help with your problem. I had to replace one in a .22-250 (due to a blown primer) and noticed that it ejected better with the steel one than it did with the previous bronze piece. It cheap to try anyway, and at one point I seem to remember that Savage would send you a steel one simply by calling in with that problem.

I have several Savage rifles, and a lot of them will simply drop the empty case when I open the bolt gently - I actually like it that way when I'm shooting at the range and it's never been a problem when hunting and I work the bolt quickly.