Savage extraction difficulty

[Padre]

I recently purchased a Savage 10FCP in 308 and initially shot 300 round Federal Goldmatch 168 grain HPBT through it. In the process of shooting the Federal I had about 10 rounds gave me difficulty in extracting them from the chamber. They came out, but with more than normal force.

I then reloaded the brass with 168 gr Sierra MatchKings to use at a precision rifle course I was taking. I only neck sized the brass and seated the bullet just short of the land and groves. Powder charge was 44 gr. In the course of shooting the match I had about 20 rounds that failed to extract (had to cover the bolt handle with a cloth and hit with a wrench to get the case to extract).

When I got home I measured the case lengths and they were all less than 2.015 so it was not that the cases were too long.

Upon further inspection of the rifle I found brass shavings in the throat.

It was suggested that I send the gun back to Savage to have them measure and recut the throat. When I contacted them this morning I was told by customer service, “They are getting a number of complaints about Federal Match 168 gr hanging up in their chambers. He said that their throats are to spec and the issue is with the bullet. They said they are talking to Federal about the problem. In the mean time I should try another type of bullet.”

Besides full length sizing the cases (which will shorten their lifespan), does anyone have any other suggestions.

 

[BoilerUP]

Reliability is far more important than any potential decrease in brass life FL sizing will cause.

 

[LawDog101]

I have the same rifle and had several issues with brass initially. None with factory ammo but with reloads. I initially tried using some LC stamped brass. FL sized, trimmed to 2.005, followed the reloading threads on here to the letter. Brass would chamber but then would stick. Tried changing the sizing, bullet depth, etc. but with no results. Changed brass to Federal brass, same problem. On a whim, I bought some Hornady Match brass and I have had ZERO problems since then. I continue to follow the Hide reloading threads to the letter and do FL size. Size, measure, trim if necessary, chamfer, etc. I might swap some brass and see what works. No idea why mine was sensitive, but I tried the other day to use some other loads (Hornady regular brass) from my kid's .308. Yeah, it stuck.

LD

 

[Dan Newberry]

Check your bolt to be sure the front scope base screw isn't dragging the left bolt lug (it'll have a scarred area on the lug, where it contacts the screw). Sometimes this issue doesn't get noticed until you try to extract a tight brass case.

Savage chambers are cut pretty tight, and brass that doesn't spring back well can be hard to extract. I've actually seen a recent make Remington 700 do the same thing with Federal neck sized brass, you have to peck the bolt open.

I would anneal the Federal brass and give it a full length sizing and all should be well.

Dan

 

[Rhenerie]

I shoot a savage 12FVSS 308. Manufactured at the end of 2011. I have never had a single extraction issue. Over 240 factory federal loads and 300+ reloads using federal brass. I only bump the should .001 .

Definitly check that front mount screw. I dont have any other suggestions myself but its not a problem you should be having. My buddy also has a 26" savage same story. He has had the sear dropping issue though.

 

[Bbob]

You might try cleaning the chamber. Had this happen on a cbi barrel .243. Cleaned and more better.

 

[turbo54]

OP: please elaborate on "difficult to extract".

Is it difficult to lift the bolt? How difficult? Only to get it started upwards? Only to get it the last bit to the top?

Is it difficult to pull the bolt rearward? How difficult?

Primary extraction (the initial camming-rearward of the bolt, which breaks the taper lock fit of case to chamber) on a savage is provided by the horseshoe shaped thinger dinger on the bolt just in front of the handle. Take a picture of the angled ramp that faces rearward on this part so we can see the wear pattern.

A common issue with Savages is inadequate primary extraction.

 

[gunsnjeeps]

44 grains of what?