savage 204 failure to extract

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fat but funky

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Hi Guys,

I have a savage model 12 in 204 ruger.

Generally, I am very pleased with the rifle. I think it can probably shoot 0.5" groups - although yours truly cannot.

In any case, on occasion the extractor will 'let go' of a spent cartridge before it has cleared the receiver walls Usually this happens as the case head passes over the shoulder of the next cartridge in the magazine. If no cartridge is present in the magazine, the same thing happens at the 'shoulder' of the magazine follower.

I have cleaned it thoroughly and it seems to be a problem across makers of brass.

It almost seems like the ejector spring is too strong - pushing the cartridge out of the grasp of the extractor.

It isn't a big deal at the range or shooting gophers - but it is a nuisance - especially if I attempt to feed another cartridge but haven't noticed the empty sitting there in the receiver.

Any thoughts on what the issue is and what can be done to fix it.

Thanks

Fat
 
The "bronze" one is not bronze. Another metal that starts with B that I can't recall right now. They stopped using it because it is slightly toxic to the people making it.

The extractor can chip and gradually fail. Take a good look at it.

Your comment about the ejector being too strong is a good obserbation. I prefer the ejector to kick the brass only a few inches out of the rifle - not a couple of feet. I have clipped a coil or two off the ejector spring of a number of rifles to reduce the distance thrown. This also improves extraction/ejection on cases when the bolt is pulled back slowly.

If you speak to Savage, make sure you mention the caliber. The dimple on the back is in different places, depending on case size.
 
"Beryllium is used as an alloying agent in the production of beryllium copper, which contains up to 2.5% beryllium. Beryllium-copper alloys are used in a wide variety of applications because of their combination of high electrical and thermal conductivity, high strength and hardness, nonmagnetic properties, along with good corrosion and fatigue resistance."

"People working or living near beryllium industries have the greatest potential for exposure to beryllium. Lung damage has been observed in people exposed to high levels of beryllium in the air. About 1-15% of all people occupationally-exposed to beryllium in air become sensitive to beryllium and may develop chronic beryllium disease (CBD), an irreversible and sometimes fatal scarring of the lungs. CBD may be completely asymptomatic or begin with coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness, and/or fatigue. "

Yup, you nailed it.

The Savage engineers were of the opinion that the Bberyllium-copper extractors were the best. All my spares are now steel.

I can recall buying Savage extractors for about $1.00 each. An extractor for my Swing (looks a bit like the Savage extractor) cost about $100. Go figure.
 
I just got an email back from a contact at Savage.

"The brass colored ones were investment cast of beryllium copper. If it is filed or ground the dust is toxic. EPA caused the foundry to stop pouring the material by making the controls prohibitive.

Next some were cast from 17L-Stainless but these had less grip and did not stand up as well.

Then they were made out of machined 4140 and worked the best. One should keep them oiled but mot oily."
 
I have the same problem on a Savage model 12 VLP (in 204 Ruger as well). Its probably 1 out of 20 that fails to be held by the extractor till it clears the breach. As said not a problem with gophers and target but an annoyance all the same, especially when coyote hunting and a follow up shot is desired.

Call Savage and they'll send you a new steel extractor for free.
Click to expand...

Is it just this easy? I have never dealt with any manufacturer but if its as easy as that i would certainly take the time and pay shipping and a small fee for more reliable extraction.

I love this gun, its capable of 0.5 MOA on a calm day if I am "in the groove" and this is with factory Hornady 32 grain ammo.

I will perhaps contact Savage and see what happens
 
"I have the same problem on a Savage model 12 VLP (in 204 Ruger as well). Its probably 1 out of 20 that fails to be held by the extractor till it clears the breach. As said not a problem with gophers and target but an annoyance all the same, especially when coyote hunting and a follow up shot is desired. "

Hang on. I will share this with the guy that designed it. Sounds to me that it is an ejector issue, not an extractor.

Can you clip one coil of the ejector spring and see if that helps? One coil will still allow plenty of ejection.
 
surfclod said:
Is it just this easy? I have never dealt with any manufacturer but if its as easy as that i would certainly take the time and pay shipping and a small fee for more reliable extraction.

I love this gun, its capable of 0.5 MOA on a calm day if I am "in the groove" and this is with factory Hornady 32 grain ammo.

I will perhaps contact Savage and see what happens
Click to expand...

They are very easy to contact and appreciate customer input from my dealings with them.
 
OK, spoke to Savage.

They cannot verfiy the problem or the solution without seeing the rifle.

But, they agree that clipping a ejector coil would not hurt and might solve the problem.

As you clip coils, the case is under less torque as it slides back and may be less likely to pop off the extractor.

Clip one coil and experiment with empty cases. If they still eject far you can then clip another coil and test.
 
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