How many have had their extractor fail?

I saw one of my hunting buddie's fail after he took a shot at a 5*6 bull last year . I had one break a month ago. Both were .300 ultramags.

The only problem I have seen with Remington extractors has occured with those that are rivoted for the magnum bolt face. In some cases these extractors will not easily engage the case rim, making bolt closure hard and tearing some brass out of the rim. Replacing it with another extractor did not fix the problem as it appears that the problem is caused by the shape inside the bolt head.

I have not seen the same problem on the 30/06 Remingtons without the rivoted extractor. Although I have seen two of them twist around inside the bolt head with an expanded case head from overload.

Mike

Mike see my post below--I just had on fail on a 25-06.

I thought I might give you a little insight into those that have not. I have had a 7mm mag since 1973 and another in .338 since 1985. Both have been used a great deal - Canada, Idaho, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada & California. Never a problem. I don't know if the old 721 system is exactly the same, but my dad has been shooting a .270 since 1955 w/ no problems.

Beartrack

The fact that there is so much business in converting Rem 700s to Sako extractors both in the America and Australia, tells you that all is not well on Remington extractors.

It is interesting that Weatherby Mark V is another of the "3 rings of steel breech" and it came out after the Remington but the did not go for the internal extractor, choosing instead to have a "gap" in the 3 rings of steel and fit was is essentially a Sako style extractor. Part of that decision might also have been because the remnington style extractor means more of the case head pokes out of the chamber.

Mike

I lost one on my quarterbore while practising prone position dry fire.

Remingtons are somewhat new to me so my experience is limited.

If I lose another one, I'll spring for the Sako conversion.

What does such a conversion generally run?

BTW, welcome back, Mike. Hope all is well.

Regards.

Some years back back, my brother bought a used M721 270 Win, of which I bought from him later on.
I used this rifle on many hunting trips with it's extractor broken on one side of the rivot, with the only thing holding it in was it's curl in the mortise. It never failed to extract!
When I had it converted to a 338-06AI, I had a Sako style extractor installed, just to be different. I had no problems with having a new original extractor installed, but figured if this were a custom job, then I'd go one step further. ~~~Suluuq

I don't agree that Sako extractors are fitted simply because of people reading, I have simply seen to many done.

As I said in my post ease of engaging the case rim and brass shavings is the common reason. Undoubtedly the othe significant reason is one of "appearance" and especially with the rivoted magnum extractors.

However, I am sure we are in the same boat in not having seen Remington extractors and bolt handles lying everywhere on the ground.

As you know my views on Rem/trigger/safety have been previously expressed

Mike

I've only had 3 Mod 700, but I've never had an extractor fail in thousands of rounds. These include 243 Win, 7-08, and 416 Rem.

I had one that was junk in a 7mm-08. It would not snap over the rim sometimes and tear up the brass something awful if it did. Gre'tan rifles did the sako for about 90 bucks with 3 days turnaround. Works fine and I was impressed with the quality of the job.

I had a gunmaker friend (now deceased) who was in the trade over 70 yrs. He said he had never had one fail but had seen a number of Sako conversions fail. Anything can fail. The ejector is to me a far worse problem on the Remington. I've had four of them jam.
A friend had a Win pre 64 fail to feed during a lion charge. Bad timing. Two cartridges popped out and left him empty.
I prefer a controlled feed for dangerous game but I'd use a Remington if I need to. I have a 375 and a 458 available.

For me, there is an overridding factor to have the Remington extractor replaced with the SAko, IF it is done correctly. A few gents out there that do these, don't modify the bolt face, just cut the extractor groove and associated spring/plunger hole. My take on this whole issue is the fact there is too much slop in the original Remington bolt face. By setting up the bolt body to run true and then bushing the face with a 4140 bushing of the correct size, one now has a bolt that is more correct in aligning the cartridge/chamber/bore relationship. By the way, the biggest problem with the Remingtons is they have a tendency to fail at the most inoportune time. The Sako has a lot more pull and can have enough grip to easily pull a sick whore out of bed if one had to.

I've been using them since 1965. Thousands of rounds through .22-250's, .243's, 6mm's,.270's, my one .30-06, .300 Win. Mag's, .35 Whelen, .375 H&H's and .458 Lott. I have a spare extractor in my kit for both Standard and Magnum bolt faces. Never had to use them. Never had a failure. My first .270 (1972)shaved a little brass but that is the only one that I noticed that on and it really wasn't much of a problem. I've not bought any new 700's since the advent of the J Lock
Anything mechanical can fail...even the mauser extractors have been known to fail.
Rich Elliott

I've never had a Remington extractor on one of my guns fail, but for 15 years replaced an average of ten a year that had broken in other's. The first few days of each (of three) hunting seasons were a VERY busy times in western Colorado.

I routinely remachine for Sako-style extractors.

Rich-- UNALTERED M-98 extractor don't fail. There are plenty that have been screwed up by hammer mechanics, but unaltered extractors are extremely tough and take an unusual amount of punishment.......more than the M-1903, P-17, M-70 clones by a substantial margin.

I can't honestly say how many Remingtons I've had, quite a few though. I've had one extractor fail (Rem 660, in 308, at the range practicing) and one bolt handle fail (Rem 700, 340 Wby, ditto). I've replaced a couple of extractors with the Sako type, mostly because I was changing the bolt face anyway, and figured I may as well. I've replaced a couple of bolt handles because I wanted something different, or to clear a receiver sight. I guess I figure that it's machinery, sooner or later it breaks down and/or needs mechanical maintenance. I don't see it as any large issue, you change springs when they wear don't you? Change the oil in your car? Not much different here. FWIW - Dan

JBELK,

Yes, but if they aren't altered will they snap over a cartridge that is just dropped in the chamber...like you can do on a Remington?
Truthfully I've had little to do with Mauser actions Had an old Remington 1917 Enfield for a while (rechambered for .300 Win. Mag.) and had some Mauser actions as trading material but that's it.

Rich Elliott

I broke one in my across-the-course rifle after a jillion rounds but I never knew it! It never failed to extract despite being cracked nearly in two where it was difficult to see during normal cleaning.

My smith showed it to me when he pulled the barrel.

Its the only one of mine to break in nearly a dozen Rems and many, many rounds.

Redial

I personally have not had one break on me, but have relpaced many over the years and installed many Sako style ones.
For 5 years working warranty for Remmy, it was the #1 warranty work I seen for the 700. Still the 700 was one of the least rifles seen for warranty work.
From what I have seen is that if your Remmy ext. is working fine, it will probably work fine for a long time.
I usually only put in Sako styles when changing bolt face size, or when the bolt face is so out of square when trueing it, I have to take too much off of it making the remmy extractor not able to hold the case head tight enough to the bolt face for good ejection.

BTW I only install them with the steel bushing. I never just mill the bolt for one

FWIW
Celt

[ 05-01-2003, 04:56: Message edited by: Celt ]

Just replaced one on my 300 UMag, the only one of many I have owned. This one has chewed up brass from day one, its better with the new extractor, but not what it should be. The new rivitless extractors are easier to install. The rivit is a pain. And Rem parts sales people are not the most knowlagable and do not always place your order, some times I have to call back and reorder. I prefer Win 70, Wby or 98.

Im having a problem with my extracter on my new Stain/Syn BDL in 7mm SAUM. I seem tight when rotating the bolt up after firing and only when rotating, not when I pull back to extract from chamber. I noticed on the headstamp on my spent shell that the ext. is bitting in and gouging my casehead. This happens on factory and reloads. Could it be excessive headspace or a flaw in the manufacturing/assembly of the bolt/extracter. Any info would be helpful. Thanks.

Two years ago at a running Deer Shoot in PA I had an extractor fail on my 700 varmit in 22-250. Took it to Dave Sams in Litiz PA and he fixed it no charge under Remington warranty, I really like the rife.

Brownells Gunsmithing Supply, Montezuma, Iowa, has replacement 700 extractors at a reasonable price. They have the riveted and non-riveted models and also the rivets and rivet anvil if you need to purchase one. Anybody that can change extractors should be able to deburr them if needed, using small files and abrasive stones.
Sorry, no extractors for 721 or 722 models.

In 45 years of gunsmithing, I have seen very few 700 extractors fail, 742's however are a differnet matter, but these guns get more abuse, (same extractor).

As for altering the 700 to the Sako type, I for one would not do it. Number one is liability reasons. If you replace an existing extractor & make no major alterations to the bolt, there would be no real problems if a case lets go, or an overload happens. But if you cut the slot for the Sako type & you get the same case let go, the gas will more than likely blow that extractor right back in the shooters face. You have altered the factories engineering, & the responibility is now on your shoulders. And that good customer just became a monster with $ signs in the eye he has left.

I have seen Remington 700's with enough of an overload fired in them as to swell the bolt's front lips into the rear of the barrel recess to where the only way to remove things was to take the barrel off. This process was no easy chore, as it was very tight. The bolt handle was broken off also. But the 3 rings of steel held.

I have only one Remington M700, a VSSF in 223. I have had it for just over 9 years now. Took it out the other day and by golly one end of the tail was broken and it still worked. Have a factory replacement to go back in it.

With over 30 years gunsmithing, have not seen that many fail, just a few Magnums.

The 742's are a different story, I have replaced a lot of them here in God's wet country. You have a rusty chamber , then fire the gun. Presto! no extractor and rim on the bolt head.

I have noticed over the years that people who live in temperate climates have the least amount of trouble with the Remington 700, 721, etc. Here in southwest Arizona it gets HOT !!! I repair more Remington problems than Winchester, Ruger and Savage put together. The bolt handles seem to be installed much better than they were a few years back, but the extractor fails quite often. The temperature goes up and pressures rise, the case head swells, and the extractor either rotates or fails completely. And if you go past a case head separation the bolt might come back into your face because a Remington will not handle extreme pressure meltdown. Those three rings of steel can hold the cartridge head in place until the lugs shear off the bolt. Instant missile! I know that it sounds extreme but that is exactly what happened to a fellow about 25 miles from here.

Adding the Sako extractor gives a weak spot in that bolt face for the case to rupture and let some pressure escape under a total failure. And yes, I had someone try it out that way.

P.S. In the summertime you take your ammo to the range in a cooler!

Originally posted by Rich Elliott:
...if they aren't altered will they snap over a cartridge that is just dropped in the chamber...

May I cut in?

1. The extractor wasn't designed to do this directly.
2. Solution is simple. Press on the extractor body, at it'e thinnest portion, and flex the hook over a rim as you close the bolt. ~~~Suluuq

Dam I am glad it cool in Texas !!!!!!!!!! So it's safe to shoot my 700.

I've never had a problem but, my dad had a bolt fall off his 700 and an extractor break too. My buddy Charlie told me he just sent his into a smith because it wouldn't extract, couldn't fix it he said and told him to send it back to the factory for some dumb reason. They just replaced the extractor and it works fine. I believe his bitch was that Remington replaced his with the new J-lock and fixed his beautifully tuned trigger with another factory one!! How do ya like that? I think the smith just didn't want to mess with it IMO.

Gunacologist,
How did the guys lugs shear and why? Seems there's more to the story there. Was it ahhhh... pistol powder he was testing? Are you saying the lugs on a 700 are not that strong and don't have a safety margin of 2 built into them like all others?

I have never had a 700. I have had a 721 ('06), and a 722 (.222). The 722 never had a problem, but the 721 often left cases in the chamber. Its' small claw just cut through case rims all the time.

Rich Elliot ask---

quote:

---

JBELK,
Yes, but if they aren't altered will they snap over a cartridge that is just dropped in the chamber...like you can do on a Remington?

---

Of COURSE they do!! As Rusty Gunn points out, the operation of the M-98 is simple, fast and straightfoward..

How to load a M-98 has been well known (and published) for a hundred and five years but so many of the old time American gun writers didn't know how (or didn't want to undercut the M-70 sales) the story got around that it couldn't be done.......rediculous.

There's absolutely no need to screw up a part that doesn't fail......doesn't fail without the aid of ignorance and a Dremel3..... or a hammer, at least.

I have owned a Remington M721 since 1954. It started life as a .30-'06 but is now a 7mm Rem Express (it says that on the barrel -- think .280 Rem for those with less institutional memory). I have had to replace the bolt release return spring, and the extractor did break but "hung" in there. When it was rebarreled I had the extractor replaced, and I put a Canjar trigger in.

I also had a M700 7 mm Mag that the extractor shaved brass from cases, and the shavings loved to foul the ejector. I had an accidential discharge with this rifle while hunting when I moved the safety. I traded that rifle for another M700 with .473 bolt face that is now my 6.5-'06. The trigger in this rifle has been reworked by Neil Jones.

I bought a new M700 .416 RM from Remington's Custom Shop when the rifle was first available. The barrel band swivel departed on the first shot. The extractor failed at the third shot. All the above with Remington factory ammunition. I have since repaired and sold this rifle.

I pulled the bolt handle off one rifle, but I am not remembering which one it was just now (senior moment).

jim dodd

Well I guess I'm not the only one with a 300ultra that chews up brass.I've owned 7 or 8 700's and never broke an extractor until the ultramag.These were a little tight to extract but I've had tighter before.Maybe I should do the Sako conversion before it happens again.

264~ I always found brass shavings on the bolt face oof my .300 ultra, but never gave it much thought. Took a brush to it and tried to keep it clean. Never had tight extraction problem with it until the extractor broke. Kinda of interesting though, when Krieger built my .338 ultra, they installed another rem extractor after truing the bolt face. Never have had a problem with it shaving brass. Guess some people know what their doing, should teach the folks back at rem how it's suppose to be done.