Gunsmithing Need an experienced gunsmiths help

[blksno]

I've been looking to build a 7mm WSM or 7mm SAUM in an AR10 style for quite some time, finding a bolt was the hardest part but now I've got it accomplished. PROBLEM IS, it's a bare bolt without an extractor.

I've had the guy that built the bolt say that modifying a .308 extractor can be a bear if you don't know what you're doing.

ALSO, I've had a company that builds 300SAUM and 325WSM AR10's tell me that they used to do it all the time and it's not that hard with the right tools. Problem again is that they won't sell me one. Complete uppers only.

Do any of you experienced smiths know how hard it would be or would you know how, and perhaps suggest a price estimation on what I could expect to pay someone to do it?

If I can get the extractor issue ironed out, I'm going to order the bolt and start getting my build list ROLLING!


Thanks fellas.

 

[Brutas]

Re: Need an experienced gunsmiths help

Try contacting Accuracy Systems

http://www.ar-10-rifles.com/index.php

 

[blksno]

Re: Need an experienced gunsmiths help

Already did, they won't modify a bolt, extractor or sell me a complete bolt or modify parts for me. I have their 243WSSM upper and it's great, but I cant justify spending that much on a complete upper again.

 

[blksno]

Re: Need an experienced gunsmiths help

any other suggestions folks?

 

[blksno]

Re: Need an experienced gunsmiths help

one last try?

 

[WhiteDingo]

Re: Need an experienced gunsmiths help

The gentleman that built the bolt for you won't modify an extractor?

I've modified a few M16 extractors for different case dimensions on Rem 700 bolts; I didn't find anything about it to be particularly difficult.

 

[blksno]

Re: Need an experienced gunsmiths help

He said that he used to get his special built by someone (and they no longer do it), but after or before...he tried to modify .308 extractors and it was more work than it was worth and they didn't always work.

All I've got is the dreaded DREMEL for doing any weapon mods or I'd try it myself.

 

[phideaux]

Re: Need an experienced gunsmiths help

sounds like a job for a woodruff cutter in the mill....i've not done one of these, but I don't see it as being that difficult of a job. did you talk to Chad Dixon at Long Rifles yet ? he's a genius at figuring stuff out.

 

[Dylan in AZ]

Re: Need an experienced gunsmiths help

How is this coming along?

A thought popped into my head tonight, and I wonder if you can use your existing 243WSSM bolt for the 7WSM build. The two cases share the same extractor dimensions, so i'd imagine it would work right?

Obviously it wouldn't be a complete build if you had to switch the bolt back and fourth between rifles all the time...

I'm just thinking out loud I suppose.


Good luck!

 

[LRI]

Re: Need an experienced gunsmiths help

Steve houseman is a guy I've known since 2001. Steve was the head plumber guy at Olympic arms for 20+ years. We worked together in iraq.

He's successfully built a number of WSM/RSAUM. AR platform rifles. He did it with AR-15's.

Extractors are hardened. The heat treat is the key as soft steel will just wear out. From my view on this the key is getting the case radius right and the amount of overlap to ensure a good purchasse on the rim.

Your gas system will be fussy. The trick is getting the case out reliably without destoying the rim or breaking the extractor.

Direct gas op systems make heat at the bolt/receiver. You want heat treated parts to deal with this.

Ensure you have all those ducks in a row first.

Good luck.

Ps: brookings isn't that far from sturgis. Why not bring it out sometime?

 

[Mike Casselton]

Re: Need an experienced gunsmiths help

call Accuracy Systems and buy a "Replacement" extractor for your existing upper. Maybe yours flew out of the gun and you can't find it...

 

[Wolf22]

Re: Need an experienced gunsmiths help

Best get out to Sturgis before 3 feet of snow makes things a bit tough.....LOL

 

[blksno]

Re: Need an experienced gunsmiths help

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Terror!</div><div class="ubbcode-body">How is this coming along?

A thought popped into my head tonight, and I wonder if you can use your existing 243WSSM bolt for the 7WSM build. The two cases share the same extractor dimensions, so i'd imagine it would work right?

Obviously it wouldn't be a complete build if you had to switch the bolt back and fourth between rifles all the time. </div></div>
The size of a WSSM AR15 bolt is pretty different than that of even a .308 bolt. Highly doubt that's the answer.

I'm confused Chad, how someone possibly got a WSM or SAUM into an AR15 when the empty case alone is almost 1/2" to long. I frequent the forums at Olympic quite often and have been begging them to get into the AR10 line with all the WSM's as a big brother to the wssms they already produce.

No one over there ever mentioned the existence of a WSM ar15.

At any rate, I found an amazing deal on an Armalite 300 SAUM and if she doesn't shoot like she should, I'll have my smith re-pipe it.

By the way, I do get out to spearfish area quite a bit but that's still a hell of a drive just to "take a look"

 

[Dylan in AZ]

Re: Need an experienced gunsmiths help

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Terror!</div><div class="ubbcode-body">How is this coming along?

A thought popped into my head tonight, and I wonder if you can use your existing 243WSSM bolt for the 7WSM build. The two cases share the same extractor dimensions, so i'd imagine it would work right?

</div></div>
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: c_bass16</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The size of a WSSM AR15 bolt is pretty different than that of even a .308 bolt. Highly doubt that's the answer.
</div></div>
I assumed your 243WSSM was on an AR10 receiver. My bad, I figured that if it was an AR10 bolt sized for the WSSM chamberings, then considering the WSM chamberings are the same at the cartridge base, it may work. Seeing as how I get the feeling your 243 is a 15, this obviously wouldn't work. Unless i'm just completely misunderstanding