AIAW 338 case ejection problem.

hula

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Aug 12, 2007
123
0
61
Oklahoma, Norman
My new AIAW 338 with less than 100 rounds is inconsistently ejecting the rounds. Some are limp wristedly rolling out and some bounce back in after the neck clears the front part of the chamber and a small few are ejected. I am using Lapua brass. The bolt, extractor and spring are clean and well oiled and function without binding. Any ideas?
 
Re: AIAW 338 case ejection problem.

poor ejection like this is usually caused by a sticking extractor plunger or extractor plunger spring.
to check this lift the front edge of the extractor & allow it to drop,observe the speed that the extractor plunger retuns to the fully out position.
any hesitation in its movement will cause poor ejection.
remove extractor ,plunger & extractor spring, clean all components including the spring location hole, lightly lubricate all parts & replace.
also check spring to ensure it has not become coil bound at anytime & thus damaged.if showing signs of any distortion or damage replace spring.
 
Re: AIAW 338 case ejection problem.

I had (or have) the same problem with mine. I could go 8 to 10 rounds just fine and then it would happen, and it doesn't do it all of the time.

I sent it in to George at GA Precision to give the bolt a once over. Everything checked out just fine as far as spring tension and such.

I found the same thing happened on one of the Weapon shows on the History Channel or Military Channel. Watch it below.

Go to the 3:31 minute mark and 3:38 minute mark (this one really shows it) on the video and you can see the same issue
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glCddKt8sX0&feature=player_embedded#

I still haven't figured it out. I run both Lapua and Hornady in mine and was thinking it might have something to do with the thickness of the brass but who knows.
 
Re: AIAW 338 case ejection problem.

Strange as this may sound many times the case is bouncing off the windage knob on the scope. Happens all the the time with a Sako style extractor which is installed above the bolt lug. The loaded rounds that worked well would have a lower trajectory because of weight, thus clearing the knob. One more thing it happens so fast most of the time you can't see it happen even while watching for it.
 
Re: AIAW 338 case ejection problem.

I'll see if I can make mine do it this weekend. I have about 80 rounds done with mine. Haven't noticed any ejection problems.

Cut
 
Re: AIAW 338 case ejection problem.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: nolo263</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have a shit load of rounds through mine and it has never done this???</div></div>

I have talked to a lot of guys that have them and they say they have never experienced the problem , while some others have.

The night I saw the video on TV of it happening , I about fell out of my chair because I tried to explain it to people, and they never understood what I was talking about. The video shows exactly what is happening. It doesn't happen all the time either.

I have cycled dummy rounds through it and can't replicate it. I have gone through periods where it never happens....and then all of the sudden it does it.

If you watch the full video, he cycles rounds at the very end just fine but at the 3:31 and 3:38 mark, it turns into the issue we are experiencing.

I have always thought it was the extractor spring causing the problem. It has the weakest tension of any type of rifle extractor spring I have ever seen. You can easily move the extractor back and forth. The tension on the ejector seems just fine. This is the reason I had sent the bolt into GA Precision but George said it had checked out fine.

 
Re: AIAW 338 case ejection problem.

In the video look at the width of the scope mount.It's projecting out into the loading port a pretty good ways. Further than the L115A2 I have in the shop right now. When the case pivots as it clears the port the rim on the ejector side clears the bolt nose. The casehead, the heaviest part is still inside the action.If the neck touches much of anything the case pops out and can stay inside the acion. This is a large diameter case coming out of a small port.

I see a related problem when running short cases out of rifles where the counterbore depth on the bolt is small and/or a large chamfer was put on the inside of the bolt nose when a Sako extractor was installed. Short case will at times swap ends and stay in the action.

For the guys having problems what scope mounts are you using? Do they extend into the port area and how low are they?

I just measured the counterbore depth on this rifle and it's .133" That's one the low side. I use .140" with almost no chamfer when I do a Sako conversion.

I'll bet money that's what the issue is.
 
Re: AIAW 338 case ejection problem.

It appears to me there is a sharp edge on the inside of the extractor towards the bolt face. It also appears to me the case may hang on the sharp edge during ejection when the neck has cleared the opening. You can see in the video at 3:38 the neck has cleared and is on the way out but goes back in the chamber forcing the extractor to release it. It may stay in the chamber or bounce out.
 
Re: AIAW 338 case ejection problem.

i have had corrected this very ejection problem in the field as i described in my previous post.
i ensure you this is the cause of the problem.
 
Re: AIAW 338 case ejection problem.

Hula
I strongly recommend that you contact Stacey Blankenship (Blanksguns here on the Hide). He will have the exact answer and possible quick fix for you right away. If it doesn't function normally, and you bought it brand new, then AI won't have any issue with fixing it, if needed. Stacey is a one of a kind customer service person. Just a thought.
 
Re: AIAW 338 case ejection problem.

I got a hold of him and sent the video clip so he'd have a clear picture of what's going on and he said to give him a call. I thought I would wait til tomorrow. Don't worry I'm not breaking out the file on a new 7000.00 weapon with a warranty. LOL! I was surprised to hear about others having the same problem though.
 
Re: AIAW 338 case ejection problem.

RSR and hula, please contact me directly and I will be happy to assist. The issue is normally one of a few items which can be easily corrected. This is not a normal or often occurrance actually. Very rare and as many know of my problem with AI rifles, I have never had this issue unless self induced. But please contact me and I will get you up and going. I will be out on the road in Orlando, FL at the SWAT Round Up this week as well. Talk to you soon.