Thread: 7mm-08 reloads extraction issue - thoughts please

Well I spoke too soon. After another couple of excursions and more range time we still get sporadic occurrences. Dealer says it's a brass re-sizing issue. But I don't accept that a round that chambers freely has a resizing issue. And once fired it is fire formed to the chamber. To me it's simply an extraction issue that appears at a particular pressure threshold. So back to reducing the load further. Maybe even a different powder with a different pressure curve.

Somehow I doubt Ruger, or their local importer, is going to care too much.

Originally Posted by Jhon

Well I spoke too soon. After another couple of excursions and more range time we still get sporadic occurrences. Dealer says it's a brass re-sizing issue. But I don't accept that a round that chambers freely has a resizing issue. And once fired it is fire formed to the chamber. To me it's simply an extraction issue that appears at a particular pressure threshold. So back to reducing the load further. Maybe even a different powder with a different pressure curve.

Somehow I doubt Ruger, or their local importer, is going to care too much.

Have you tried checking the headspace via the masking tape method I described?

Reason I said to take the firing pin out, I said use a factory round (live) as they are usually very under-sized. A single layer of masking tape is close enough to approximate a No-Go gauge (some gunsmiths use this method to check headspace to avoid ordering gauges).

Aside from a chamber cast, this is the easiest way to tell, otherwise you will be going in circles.

Well actually I took @vietnamcam advice above and spent a bit of time online.

This (poor quality) YouTube video from frame 14.18 and frame 16.07 specifically shows the exact repeat extraction issue identical to the rifle in question. The guy is shooting a brand new American in 308 with factory ammo.

The comments below the video confirm this is a regular issue with the Ruger American and likely caused by the bolt design and QA thereof.

Back to the importer I guess. If they won't come to the party the next step which seems to be favored by some is to polish the crap out of the bolt mechanism and grease lube it. I.e address the poor factory quality control re parts finishing.

Anyway.

https://youtu.be/m6JejNtKjJY?si=8EZAksuLr6SMm9op

Originally Posted by caberslash

Have you tried checking the headspace via the masking tape method I described?

Reason I said to take the firing pin out, I said use a factory round (live) as they are usually very under-sized. A single layer of masking tape is close enough to approximate a No-Go gauge (some gunsmiths use this method to check headspace to avoid ordering gauges).

Aside from a chamber cast, this is the easiest way to tell, otherwise you will be going in circles.

Will do this if we are left with having to sort it. Polish the bits at the same time. Thks.

Is this a possibility?

https://youtu.be/v28BfzwbsVc?si=j9hLyKJ4dwy7yYfT

Originally Posted by Oldbloke

Is this a possibility?

https://youtu.be/v28BfzwbsVc?si=j9hLyKJ4dwy7yYfT

Don't think so. Different issue entirely but thks.

Originally Posted by Jhon

Well actually I took @vietnamcam advice above and spent a bit of time online.

This (poor quality) YouTube video from frame 14.18 and frame 16.07 specifically shows the exact repeat extraction issue identical to the rifle in question. The guy is shooting a brand new American in 308 with factory ammo.

The comments below the video confirm this is a regular issue with the Ruger American and likely caused by the bolt design and QA thereof.

Back to the importer I guess. If they won't come to the party the next step which seems to be favored by some is to polish the crap out of the bolt mechanism and grease lube it. I.e address the poor factory quality control re parts finishing.

Anyway.

https://youtu.be/m6JejNtKjJY?si=8EZAksuLr6SMm9op

IMO.

Back to the importer.

Or

Drop powder further 0.2gr and polished chamber.. But I have a feeling there is more to it.

Yeah if you do the Google thing there is plenty of evidence it's a manufacturing design or QA issue with the bolt. Pretty hard to get that accepted here tho. First port of call is to blame the ammo. So reloads are out. Then you have to shoot off enough factory ammo of different brands to prove the point. Then what... they gunsmith the rifle? Replace the bolt? I guess this is the problem buying budget firearms at the bottom end of the world. Then, I have the Ruger Ranch II in 5.56/223 that cost me $850 back a year or three and is superb value for the spend. Takes your chances I guess...

Originally Posted by Jhon

Well I spoke too soon. After another couple of excursions and more range time we still get sporadic occurrences. Dealer says it's a brass re-sizing issue. But I don't accept that a round that chambers freely has a resizing issue. And once fired it is fire formed to the chamber. To me it's simply an extraction issue that appears at a particular pressure threshold. So back to reducing the load further. Maybe even a different powder with a different pressure curve.

Somehow I doubt Ruger, or their local importer, is going to care too much.

Extraction issues can be a result of insufficient resizing, predominantly on the case body, regardless of how a round chambers. As Iv suggested earlier try a small base die. I would run some cases for you but I'm away for the next 6 weeks. Someone here will have an 08 based SB die and could help you out Im sure . It will cost next to nothing to try it and may be an easy solution.

Originally Posted by sneeze

Extraction issues can be a result of insufficient resizing, predominantly on the case body, regardless of how a round chambers. As Iv suggested earlier try a small base die. I would run some cases for you but I'm away for the next 6 weeks. Someone here will have an 08 based SB die and could help you out Im sure . It will cost next to nothing to try it and may be an easy solution.

I'm open to what you are suggesting, but if the problem is common to the Ruger American, in different calibres, with factory ammo, how likely is it to be a brass resizing issue? I'd happily buy a small base die for my mate if I was certain that would resolve the issue. What I cant get my head around, thick as I am, is that a round that is incorrectly sized for a given chamber would show that with difficulty chambering. If a round is successfully and normally able to be chambered and fired, the brass THEN conforms to the chamber dimensions and so whatever size it went in as becomes irrelevant. Surely?

From experience with 9mm and 45acp reloading, incorrect resizing of brass causes malfunctions for chambering, not extraction once fired. I have a small base 9mm die I was sold when I bought my Shadow but have never used it as chambering has never been an issue with that particular handgun.

But if there is something diff I should know about a rifle chamber please educate me..seriously.

If.someone wants to risk lending me a small base 7mm-08 die I'd happily pay the postage. Or maybe I should just buy one. It won't solve the problem tho if it turns out factory ammo gives the same results.