precision machining - who can make an extractor for a Sako 85 to improve ejection?

Longwalker

Longwalker

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
GunNutz
Rating - 100%
213   0   2
Location
Saskatchewan
I want io improve the angle of case ejection on my Sako 85.

I have been doing some research, and the trouble with many new Sakos is not only is the ejector slot in the 6 o'clock position ( there's no cure for that ) but the extractor claw is too far away from the bolt face and doesn't have a steady grip on the case. If the cartridge case had only a couple thousandths clearance instead of the sloppy fit many come with from the factory, the dreaded "case hits the scope turret" problem would be eliminated.

Stoeger and Sako seem oblivious and uninterested in a solution. They say use higher mounts.

I studied the angle of extraction on a couple of 85's, and as they eject they tend to flip the case straight up for a 10-15 degrees of arc before the claw grabs and starts the case in a more horizontal direction. Depending on how much "up" happens before the claw grabs and hauls sideways determines the final angle of ejection from the rifle.

I read about a hobby machinist in Australia who came up with a solution, and who posted the following picture - original above, improved extractor below.
It holds a case with very little clearance between claw and rim, and the angle of ejection that this achieves is just about the same as the angle of the extractor itself - between two and three o'clock.
Do members know a skilled machinist or gunsmith who could do this job? I think there is a market opportunity for someone who can do this.

sako85extractorModification_zps3cvm4b79.jpg
 
Last edited:
While there are any number of guys who could make this for you, I can't think of anyone I dislike enough to recommend. Even the great market opportunity, which would allow for the sale of as many as ten of these, Canada-wide, would not be likely to sway many. I've done enough of this stuff over the years to be pretty sure that it would take at least two hours to set up and produce one piece on manual equipment. This assumes there is no need to produce any special fixtures or jigs which one would want if he wanted to produce more than one.
Take a drawing, with dimensions and angles, to a shop with a CNC mill and get a quote. Most of the charge will be for programming and set-up time so the unit price will go down with higher quantity.
 
Talk to one of the several makers south of the border (Harris, tubb, ptg, Borden, batt, defiance, pierce etc) who already make sako style extractors. Perhaps they could run you a batch of these at a much more reasonable rate then someone who needs to setup.
 
Down and dirty quick try would be to tig up an existing extractor then have at it with a dremal tool... I have my doubts as to whether this would actually solve the problems.. Some Calibers in the newer Sakos are more prone to issues than others. Short Mags in particular tho I have a Bavarian with old style low mounts that works fine??? Another few that you really need to cycle the bolt harder\ faster.
 
Thanks for the suggestions. I have loaded one brave machinist who seems willing to take on my project. Will let you know how that goes in a future report.
 
It worked! I was pleased that Mr. Stan Harrison of Leduc AB agreed to take on the project. We did have to go through a bit of back and forth instructions, understandable because he did not have my rifle to work with, and he did the work with only the measurements I made with a feeler gauge and with my original extractor that I sent him. I asked him to tighten the claw clearance from the original 0.020" to only 0.004" or so and leave the tip of the new extractor claw a little long - I finished the final shaping of the tip with the extractor installed in the bolt. The end result seems perfectly satisfactory. I tested it with a couple dozen tries, both empty cases and full loads, fed from the magazine and fed directly into the chamber.
My rifle now controls the round after it starts to enter the chamber, holds the case securely preventing double feeds if I short stroke the action, and it consistently ejects at the correct angle. Just like Sako advertises. It was not expensive or very complicated once we figured out the cure, and I am a happy customer. Stan's cell no. is 780-554-0959
 
That's awesome, I'm glad it worked out for you. You should get him to make you a run of them, send them out for bluing and sell them on here, 24hr and eBay. I'm sure you would sell plenty.
 
My solution to this short fall of the Sako design has been to install a set of higher rings. As a rule the spent case comes out at such an angle as to be hampered by the windage turret on the scope, even worse if the scope has target turrets, the casing drops back down into the ejection port and your have to dig the empty out by hand or upset the rifle sideways to clear the case. Looking at your photographs of the improved extractor is a big help indeed, holding the cartridge tight against the bolt face as it hinges out of the breech will reduce this interference with the scopes dimensions. I cant help but add that many of our new up and coming small arms designers that are under the employ of these huge manufacturers would be better left in a room with nothing but Mauser 98's and Lee Enfield's for months on end before they emerge with their latest new brain child to impress us all. D.H.
 
Very nice. Contemplating this myself. My only concern is will it reliably feed most commonly available commercial ammo? Does rim thickness vary much in modern cases? Is. 004" clearance enough to ensure reliable feeding? Depending on what the rifle is being used for, I'm not sure I'd want to take the chance.
 
Gunco Ottawa, can do the work . If he is willing is another story.
If it were mine, I would silver solder a piece of steel in the extractor grove ,and cut it to the right depth and length.
 
RangerPark said:
Very nice. Contemplating this myself. My only concern is will it reliably feed most commonly available commercial ammo? Does rim thickness vary much in modern cases? Is. 004" clearance enough to ensure reliable feeding? Depending on what the rifle is being used for, I'm not sure I'd want to take the chance.
Click to expand...

I tired this modification with Federal, Remington, and Winchester brass, the only brands I had on hand. Function was the same with all. Rim thickness measured the same on all. Rims snapped up under the claw when being fed from the magazine with no problems, and when a case was fully chambered by hand and the bolt closed on it, the new claw snapped over it with no problem. I'd like to compare RWS or Norma too but didn't have any.
 
Longwalker said:
I tired this modification with Federal, Remington, and Winchester brass, the only brands I had on hand. Function was the same with all. Rim thickness measured the same on all. Rims snapped up under the claw when being fed from the magazine with no problems, and when a case was fully chambered by hand and the bolt closed on it, the new claw snapped over it with no problem. I'd like to compare RWS or Norma too but didn't have any.
Click to expand...

Good to know, thanks!
 
Filed it flush with the front of the bolt face, matched the inside bevel to the same diameter as the bolt face recess. Made sure the outside surface was not sticking up past the diameter of the bolt face while snapping over a rim of a case that was already chambered, by bevelling ( tapering towards the tip) that surface slightly too. Polished the inside and outside bevels. It was a 5 minute job with a file and my dremel tool. If that isn't clear just ask - I can post pictures or a sketch.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom