Please help me with my bolt action extraction problem

[Ryguy]

Back story: Got a new gun in 338 LM and it was impropperly headspaced. Got it headspaced with PT&G guages by a Smith and it still will only work with Lapua brass with one qualifier.
-New lapua brass without any work done, just loaded and fired, 100% exracted. Went fom 89gr up to 92.5 gr and still no pressure signs.
-Second loading, neck sized to .365 and trimmed to 2.714, fired and about 20% failure to extract. Set the 20 aside.
-Third loading of the 80 that worked, neck sized but didn't need trimming, stretched to 2.718, fired with 60% failure to extract.
-Third loading of the 20 that did not extract, full length resized, trimmed, fired with 100% failure to extract. They stretched to 2.722.

RCBS Gold Metal Dies.
The brass is properly sized according to the LE Wilson case guage, the powder charge is 91gr of H1000, 300gr berger or SMK, 215M primer. Accuracy is great, about 7.5 inches at 1050 yds.

I am wondering if the extractor is weak or the chamber is cut wrong. Maybe the throat is too tight. I slightly polished the chamber after the second firing.

What can I troubleshoot next before I get a new barrel? Will neck turning help? Can I have the chamber re-throated or re-throat it myself? Jay at Pac Nor said he can fit a 31" Super Match for $693 and 14 weeks so that is next if I cant figure this out.

 

[bcrich]

Let me guess ....... It's a Stuckvage... I mean savage! It's normal, been doomed with the same problem just not as bad as you.

 

[Ryguy]

Yes it is a Savage. I just wonder if anyone has figured out a solution to this problem. Other than getting a Sako or AI.

 

[bcrich]

I'm ready for another gun ha! Every guy I know with the same gun BA or Fcphs has this problem!

 

[P7id10t]

Try dropping your powder. Last weekend shot out (5) of 1x fired Hornady case, FL Sized in Forester, 300gr Scenars, 95gr N570. No extraction problems. Still had room in the case for more powder. No pressure signs.
Haven't had a single extraction problem, thank God.

 

[Dan Newberry]

Let Savage know... give them a call. They'll send you a new extractor. Lapua brass works fine in my 110BA... but Hornady does what you're describing, the failure to extract (the bolt just comes back empty handed, as it were... and you have to punch the case out with a rod from the muzzle.

The Hornday rim size is about .002" on average smaller than the Lapua rim. That's the difference I found on what I have on hand, anyway. Savage sent me a new extractor (spring an ball included)... I've not put it in yet, as the Lapua brass solved my problem. I shoot 89.3 grains of Retumbo with 300's and it's super accurate, even out to a mile... it runs 2700 fps. Your load is considerably hotter than that...

Dan