Savage Mark II chamber size and FTE's

IanC

IanC

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I have been using Savage Mark II rifles for a number of years. They are low cost, reliable and accurate I seem to prefer the sporter barrel models myself. I am talking about the current production models not the older ones. I have owned several over the years and still have a few. What im posting about is the accuracy and failure to eject.
https://i.imgur.com/HnCR0Eq.jpg

Here are the models I have used.

Early 2000's G model with polished blued barrel. Is was pretty accurate and would feed anything i gave it. The wood was very nicely figured on it.

Probably 2010 F model with polished blued barrel. It will feed anything i put into it but accuracy is about 1 inch at 50 yrds with 4-12 scope rested.

Post 2010 model F matte finish barrel. Its really ammo picky and has extraction problems but is very accurate around 0.75 and under at 50 yrds.

Stevens 305F blued, extracted well but short barrel, I didnt really keep it too long.

Savage Racal matte finish loads and ejects anything but its scaled down so dont really count it.

I am not sure but personally I find the newer models to be more accurate but im wondering if the FTE issue is because of a tighter chamber not due to an all of a sudden poor extractor/spring clip. Sort of what happens with a 10/22 sporter chamber vs target chamber.

I know the FTE problem can be fixed with another clip but im guessing these issues are happening with newer models as none of the older ones i found had an issue. What are your thoughts?
 
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The only times I’ve had extraction issues with my early 2000s F was solved by thorough cleaning of the “pockets” on the breechface where the extractor claws rest when the bolt is full forward.

Btw, I don’t see how a magazine can affect extraction. Feeding maybe.
 
I've done some more research into this and there is a thread on Rimfire central that makes the case fairly well that the root problem is due to the thickness of the ridge between the chamber and the slot where the extractor sits.

The extra spring clip resolves the symptom but doesn't fix the root cause. I'll try and find the thread where they have pictures and explains it better than I likely can but I'll make an attempt.

So when the thickness of the ridge between the ejector slot and the chamber is too thick or has the wrong angle it moves the extractor ever so slightly out from the bore so it has less of a grip on the casing. You can look at your extractor to see where the rubbing is occuring in order to resolve the issue.

If the wear is on the forward most tip of the extractor then the angle is too shallow. Grind or file down the deep end of the slot to fix.

If the wear is on the tip that is closest to the chamber then the problem is the thickness of the ridge between the extractor slot and the chamber. This wear isn't from normal operation because that part of the extractor doesn't/shouldn't contact the round during cycling.

If I look on my Mark II that had massive extraction issues I can see very obvious wear on the extractor tip that is closest to the bore and matching wear on the extractor slot beside the chamber.

I haven't tested this out yet because I can't figure out how to get in there and file it down yet. If your Savage is newer you can try calling Savage and getting them to fix the issue properly through warranty
 
I also checked my B22 which did not have anywhere near the same level of extraction issues. I put the second spring clip on after a single failure to extract and then didn't worry about it. I'm waiting for a scope then I'm gonna take off the second spring clip and see if there is actually an issue with fairly to extract.

Looking at the extractor there is minimal wear on the tip closest to the bore, there is also far less wear on the edge of the chamber where the extractor sits. This is after about 3000 rounds. Far more than I put through the Mark II. Once I get a scope mounted on it, I'm going to remove the second spring clip to see if there is an actual issue still and if there is I can see a way to lightly file the problem spot to see if it resolves the issue.

Might take a couple of months for all of that to happen but I'll return and report my findings
 
I have a more recent Mark II, exact year unknown but definitely built after 2010.
I have no issues with accuracy, but the FTE in my situation is due to excess wax on the cases.
I shoot blazer, and if I dont wipe the excess wax from the bullet and case, I will get a FTE.
When I wipe the wax from the case and bullet, no issues at all.

I typically only do the wax removal for all ammo I use for ORPS matches.
When I'm at the range casually I just keep them as is, and pick out any cases that get stuck as they get stuck.

Hope this helps
 
How do you remove the wax? I may just do this to ensure reliablity during ORPS if there is a minor failure to extract issue with my B22. Ive heard just dumping the rounds in a baggie, spraying some CLP in and rolling it around. Never actually tried it though.
 
Apparently the FTE problem is not uncommon. There are quite a few threads about the general problem in Savage bolt rifles.
See, for example, the following for variations of the problem and suggested solutions:

h t t p s://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1010561
h t t p s://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=544727
h t t p s://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=488527
h t t p s://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=355312
 
Wsamus said:
I have a more recent Mark II, exact year unknown but definitely built after 2010.
I have no issues with accuracy, but the FTE in my situation is due to excess wax on the cases.
I shoot blazer, and if I dont wipe the excess wax from the bullet and case, I will get a FTE.
When I wipe the wax from the case and bullet, no issues at all.

I typically only do the wax removal for all ammo I use for ORPS matches.
When I'm at the range casually I just keep them as is, and pick out any cases that get stuck as they get stuck.

Hope this helps
Click to expand...

This was my issue as well. Some CCI ammo is heavily waxed.
 
So perhaps my issue is a coincidence that i have a tight shooter with FTE? I keep it clean and shoot only american eagle copper washed bullets. Almost seems like the issue is similar to the ridge in the 870 chamber.

After i put a brass brush in my drill the chamber runs pretty good.

I was thinking there was a difference between the blued and matte guns possibly one has a tighter chamber causing the FTEs im fully aware of the fixes just not why some do and some dont.

Anyone want to pass around a .22 chamber hone?
 
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When it comes to Mark II's, I must be a very lucky owner indeed.
I have two - Both are approaching 10 years old and have fired over 12k rounds of SK/Lapua ammo.
One has a match chamber cut with a Calfee No. 1 reamer. One has a match chamber cut with a PTG 22LR reamer.
I don't recall EVER having a failure to extract or eject a spent case in either. Neither will extract a LIVE round reliably but I also have other match chambered actions which won't do that either.
Both these rifles still run their original extractors. I have plenty of spares but as yet still sitting in my parts box unused.
I'll also add that I use 5X5 round and 3X10 round mags and have never had a magazine failure or feed issue either.
Everything on these guns is kept CLEAN and I'm a believer in bronze brushing 22LR barrels regularly too.
 
Sorry, should have clarified.

What I do is simply take each round and hold a piece of cheese cloth or paint strainer cloth against the bullet and case and then spin the case a few times with my other hand. This just removed the wax from the case and takes down and excess wax from the sides of the bullet. When your done you end up with a cloth your wife will look at and wonder what you've been up to!

I like these types of cloths because they are a little more abrasive and porous and do a better job of removing the wax.

https://m.imgur.com/a/5SMumuw
 
My mark2 has issues with bulk blazer because of wax. So do all of my bolt guns. Only my rossi 37 and 9422 can run that crap. I buy cci standard by the case and never have any issues.

I have a 17mach2 that has brass stick every now and then though. I usually just bring a some flat screw driver. Maybe an extra spring would help with it?
 
Dahsira said:
I've done some more research into this and there is a thread on Rimfire central that makes the case fairly well that the root problem is due to the thickness of the ridge between the chamber and the slot where the extractor sits.

The extra spring clip resolves the symptom but doesn't fix the root cause. I'll try and find the thread where they have pictures and explains it better than I likely can but I'll make an attempt.
Click to expand...

I believe this is the thread you are referring to h t t p s://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1153465

"Waxy" bullets and a "tight" chamber are not the issue. For giggles, I ran Blazer through my CZ custom, it has a much tighter, custom chamber than any factory Savage. I don't have extraction issues.

To have issues with waxy bullets is only a symptom of a larger issue, that being a poorly designed and/or executed extraction system in the case of Savage.

If anyone wants to send me their Savage, I can fix this for you. No charge to the first 2 takers, only cost ya the shipping :)
 
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