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Gunsmithing What is happening when running the bolt

jackinfl

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Dec 19, 2008
838
169
Fort lauderdale, Fl
I saw this happen Monday to two different Remington 700 actions.
The ejecting round winds up back in the action. This happened when running the bolt to the rear, but not running it back forward to feed another round.
Also, I saw the brass try to go back into the action, but get knocked out of the way when feeding a round back into the chamber.

What is mechanically making this happen?

SHould the brass eject X distance from the rifle and pile up?
 
Re: What is happening when running the bolt

The case could be being ejected into the scope windage knob and being bounced back into the port. Check the bottom of the windage knob for marks. Is a pretty common issue, especially when you have a large "tactical" knob.

Either that or the more rarely but happens with .223Rem is the extractor doesn't hold the case tight enough and the case slips off just as the case clears the chamber and is flicked by the ejector.
 
Re: What is happening when running the bolt

A Remington 700 bolt with a factory extractor is located at the 3 o clock position when sitting behind the rifle as a right handed shooter. The ejector is down around 7 o clock.

The extractor becomes the pivot point. The ejector pushes the case head away from the bolt face at the angle determined by the extractor position.

In the case of a factory extractor, it's basically coming out at just above 3 o clock. Like "2:30-ish". This clears the vast majority of external turret optics.

When folks go "improving" Remingtons one of probably the most popular "upgrades" is a Sako or M16 style extractor. Due to how these function and due to the physical size of them, they must be rotated to a more vertical position in order to be installed. Failure to do so would result in the gun missing 90% of its ejection side recoil lug on the bolt.

Because of this altered clock position, it changes the ejection angle, making it more likely for cases to impact the scope upon coming out of the gun.

In the case of an M16, it's often possible to break the highest edge/corner of the extractor in order to encourage the case to peel away slightly closer to horizontal as it gets ejaculated from the loading port. (had to say it
smile.gif
) In most instances this will solve the problem.

I'm not sure on the Sako ones as I don't use/install them for safety reasons.

Hope this helped.

C.
 
Re: What is happening when running the bolt

i have a mini16 extractor on my PTG bolt. and this will happen if i run the bolt slow. i need to put a stronger spring in the extractor to keep the extractor from letting go too soon.
 
Re: What is happening when running the bolt

C. Dixon,
Your explanation makes it very clear. I looked at my scope and I do not see and brass marks.
I will keep an eye on this and check the spring pressure on the ejector.

Thanks for the explanation.
 
Re: What is happening when running the bolt

On my stiller, I have experienced similar issues...it ejects cases well...live rounds not so much and had to have its extractor modified to lower the angle of ejected brass to clear the optic.

Wish it reliably ejected live rounds...