What do you you all think needs attention on a factory m70 classic safari express? What work needs to be done to it before it is considered dangerous game ready? I'm more concerned with action and barrel work then the aesthetics of the gun, but I would get a new recoil pad and ebony for-end tip installed. I want to see what it would cost me if I went this route for my 375 H&H. Thanks for your input. Sevens
On my 416 I replaced the mag spring and aluminum follower, substituted a Williams spring steel extractor and used heavier #8-40 screws on the scope mounts. Also it was bedded properly with Steel-bed.
What is actually necessary is a little subjective I think, but I sleep better at night now.
Posts: 1372 | Location: USA | Registered: 18 June 2000
Some of those parts I think could stay, but why replace the extractor? Is there something wrong with the factory exctractor? I'll have to do a little more research and educate myself on what a mag spring and follower are. I'm sure I know what they are, just not by that name. Thanks. Sevens
The factory Extractor is cast, and as such does not flex like a spring steel extractor does.
Darcy Echol's has been on this forum before to explain the differences and you might want to do a search to see what he had to say. Suffice it to say, he changes out every extractor on the custom rifles that he makes.
The follower (Magazine follower) is the piece of metal in the magazine that the ammunition sits on, it hold the rounds in the right position to be picked up by the bolt.
The mag spring (magazine spring) is the spring located under the follower that compresses as you load rounds into the magazine and provides the upward pressure to move the follower up as rounds get stripped out of the magazine.
Posts: 12920 | Location: Kentucky, USA | Registered: 30 December 2002
Could the extractor be switched by someone like me? As you've probably noticed, I'm not a gunsmith. I know the parts, but not the names. I am willing to swap the extractor if it comes ready to be installed and can be done with minimal effort. I believe I'm going to go the m70 route for my 375. It seems to work best with my budget. Thanks. Sevens
Quote: Could the extractor be switched by someone like me?
Yes - even if you are as mechanically disinclined as me. It really is easy, even the first time you try it. Here's the instructions posted by Matt Williams as an answer to my exact same question.
Changing the extractor on a Model 70 If you pull the bolt out of the receiver and hold it in your hand with all five thumbs. Let the bolt handle face out to the right on a right-handed rifle with the bolt face sticking up in the air. Now, look straight down at the face of the bolt, and turn the extractor counterclockwise with your right thumb of your right hand 90 deg. Then, push the extractor forward, away from the bolt handle. The extractor will pop off of the end of the bolt. Continue to push it forward until it clears the extractor collar. Getting it off is a little easier sometimes than getting it back on, but still no big trick. First line the collar and extractor up in the same area on the bolt that you took it off. Grab the collar and squeeze it closed with your left hand full of thumbs. Slide the extractor onto the collar, and push it up until it stops at the bolt face. At this point you'll have to spring the extractor over the bolt face so that it will reside in it's original position after you rotated it around. Once the extractor is lined up with the radial groove that rotates around the bolt, just rotate the extractor back to it's original position, so that it is positioned over the top of the right bolt lug. While the directions are a little long, the process is pretty quick, especially after you've seen it done once.
If anyone ever has any problems with this at all, they can feel free to call our toll-free number at 1-888-257-3006, and we'll answer any questions or concerns that they would have.
It really is easy, even the first time you try it. Here's the instructions posted by Matt Williams as an answer to my exact same question. 
