Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Gunsmithing Rem 722 weak ejection

I guess you give up the magic three rings of steel with an AR or Sako extractor.

But, if the OEM extractor never failed, we wouldn't be having this discussion, it wouldn't be an issue.

DF

Several years back I had a similar experience with my 722 .257 Bob. right after I got it. After installing a new extractor and still having the non-ejection issue I too looked at getting a Sako style extractor installed. Turns out the rim on the brass (W&W +P) was smaller in diameter than spec. by few 1000th's. This was discovered after gunsmith had me try different manf. brass. Federal and Remington cycled without issue. Unfortunately for me I had purchased a bulk supply (500+ rds.) of factory primed W&W +P brass. Gunsmith had me put an aluminum shim (cut from aluminum can) behind the extractor. Voila problem solved.

An aluminum shim behind the extractor sounds like a neat idea. That may be worth a try before going to the expense of a retrofit AR/Sako extractor.

DF

2 lug bolts aren't a good fit for Sako/M16 extractors imo. The extractor winds up pointing down the raceway. On a 3 lug the extractor is safer and doesn't line up with a raceway. There are smiths who won't install Sako extractors for this reason.

Ball park, I get $85.00 for either a AR or Sako conversion. Most gunsmith's are around $100.00 to $125.00 for a average. I have a mill set up to do just this conversion, that's why I do it for $85.00. Keep in mind the the Sako extractor kits costs me $32.15 and the AR kits are $34.99

I'd say that was more than fair.

DF

I'm going to start with the shim tonight. I haven't shot the rifle yet so I don't know if it's a keeper or not.

Let us know how that works.

It sure makes sense; it's the first I heard of that fix.

Interesting.

DF

What is the best way to remove the extractor?

I never had to remove one.

What I would do is put the bolt in a padded vice, hold a small screwdriver, etc. on one end of the extractor, use a pointed tool to work under the other edge and just peal it out of the recess. I have a couple of those pointed gunsmith tools that would work, sorta like an extra fine ice pick.

Others (who have actually done it ) may want to chime in and let us know if they have a better way.

DF

Dental picks is what I use, be careful not to over bend it

There might be something on utube showing this there's everything else on it

I checked the youtube, didn't find anything. I have a bunch of dental picks and started there but stopped to ask if there was a better way. I also tried snap ring pliers but they were a bit too big.

This tool I was trying to describe looks sorta like a robust dental pick, made for gunsmith work, straight on one end, 90* on the other. Brownells has them.

DF

Did you buy said bag of extractors and if so, are you willing to sell one?

222 and mag size extractors are not too hard to find. 308 size are hard. I have a 721 in 6mm that has an extractor which is less than perfect. I think, now that PD season is coming to a close, I'll try to bend it a little in hopes to get it 'right'. I think that the extractor has been modified somewhat in the past, (before bugger).

I too would be interested in a half a bag of extractors.

Gemby's price sounds very good.

I too would be concerned about gas handling capabilities of a modified bolt though.

That bag came with all the parts I bought, I gave 35 grand for close to if not over 85 grand of parts. Still doing inventory.

The Sako extractor requires milling a slot in the bolt and compromising Remingtons 'three rings of steel', not good if there is a blown case or primer. Also read somewhere that the Sako extractor ejects at a different angle and the case will hit certain scopes and drop back into the magazine box.
Btw, original Remington extractors can be found, picked up two a year or so ago.

Btw, original Remington extractors can be found, picked up two a year or so ago. [/quote]

For Remington 721, 722 and 725 rifles? 700 yes

How hard would it be to mill and drill a 722/721 bolt to retrofit a 700 extractor?

Seems that should be easier than milling and fitting an AR/Sako extractor.

DF