Savage Model 12 Extractor Refit

As with most other manufacturers, Savage rifles use all of the common bolt face sizes to fit cartridges like .223, .308, et al. Odd-sized cartridges such as the .22 PPC and 6mm PPC fall inbetween these two cartridge sizes with a case head size of 0.441-inches. The closest common bolt face size that fits the .22 PPC is the .308 Winchester, sized at 0.473-inches, but this size bolt fails to extract the PPC cases.

Some other rifles like the Remington Model 700 and 40X will extract fi red .22 and 6mm PPC cases equipped with a .308 Winchester bolt head but the Savage Model 12 does not. Unaware of this issue with the Savage design, I had built a rifle for chambered in .22 PPC and later learned that case extraction would be a problem. I called the company to see if they could offer any solutions and they suggested trying their extractors made for the .223 Remington bolt.

The Savage engineer I spoke with informed me that 441" as compared with the larger .308 size case head. The standard Savage extractor fails to extract these smaller cases. these extractors are longer and just might work. Unfortunately, this did not prove to be the case. On arrival of the new .223 Remington-size Model 12 extractors I learned that they are also a few thousandths too short of full case rim engagement. I made plans to design and machine a replacement extractor to fit the .22 PPC case head.

308 size bolt face. From this stage the end must be shaped to fit the outside of the case head and the extractor claw must be milled to proper length. The piece is later cut to proper length. Making a New Extractor Following very careful measurement of the existing .308-size extractors I selected a suitable piece of steel bar stock for machining and milled it to form a rectangular end measuring 0.275 by 0.105-inches.

Then, with the stock piece in a special jig in the mill vise, laterally opposing edges were milled from each topside 0.055inches deep and 0.045-inches wide. This left the top ridge 0.185-inches wide to fit the upper extractor slot in the Savage bolt. It is important to try the stock part in the bolt and not rely totally on measurements as it may need some fitting and polishing. With the piece formed thus far and fitting the bolt extractor groove smoothly the extractor claw and tip radius are formed.

This requires a 7/16-inch end mill, which is very close to the PPC case extractor groove radius. The end mill, held in a jig, is slowly fed into the tip of the stock piece forming the same configuration as the end of the factory extractor slot. With this step complete, it is now time to actually try a cartridge on the bolt face and allow the new extractor to engage the case extractor groove.

A proper bevel is then fi led on the top end of the extractor, right up to the claw, to form a similar angle to the existing extractor claw. The new extractor needs a radius to better fit the cartridge and the use of afine, round fi le to form the angle is best. If the bolt is closed over a chambered cartridge this bevel engages the end of the case rim, pushing the extractor to the side and allowing the claw to engage the case and snap into the extractor groove.

Before cutting the new extractor from the stock piece or A 7/16" end mill is used here to fit the radius of the .22 PPC case head. making the beveled hole, it is well to try pushing a case into the extractor to test its function and length. With this accomplished it’s time to carefully position and form the beveled hole in the new part to fit the 1/8-inch spring driven steel ball. The spring and steel ball are positioned in a hole in the bolt locking lug beneath the extractor.

The beveled hole position in the extractor is critical so the spring-loaded part engages the case rim and extractor groove correctly at proper depth. Carefully study the original extractor and position the new beveled hole about 0.050-inches

A chambered cartridge rim will push on the angle of the claw, causing the spring-loaded extractor to pop into the rim of the cartridge and properly engage. farther from the tip of the new extractor, which will allow the new extractor tip to extend farther into the bolt face. The hole is drilled using a small starter drill about 0.100-inches deep and enlarged to correct depth and angle with a 1/4-inch, 82-degree counter sink. Compare the new hole for depth with the old extractor.

As a result of proper positioning of the hole, the periphery will be very close to the forward edge of the extractor. Before cutting the part to length from the stock piece actually try it in the bolt with the spring and ball in place with a sample cartridge. If it fits and functions smoothly, cut the part to correct length just short of the outer margin of the bolt locking lug. Conclusion Though a small part, an extractor requires very intricate machining and finishing.

Hand building one from scratch may be your only alternative when trying to mate PPC cartridges to a .308 size bolt face on a Savage rifle. AG 308-size bolt faces clearly shows the differences in the two extractors. The overall length and extended claw needed to grasp the smaller PPC case rim and the radius on the new extractor shows a much improved extraction surface for a more positive case extraction. The new extractor extends farther into the bolt face making extraction of the smaller PPC case possible.