Rig:
.300 WM
Surgeon XL
Bartlein 1/10 MTU 26" with Badger FTE
MCS T4A
Load:
Hornady or Winchester Brass trimmed to 2.610" (trim length per Hornady reloading manual) Note: Winchester brass was virgin
Hornady 208 gr BTHP/AMAX, .020" from lands
76.8 gr H1000
Federal Gold Magnum primers
All cases full-length sized with Forster Ultra FL Sizing Die
Problem summary:
Cases fail to properly eject from receiver. In every malfunction instance, the extractor is able to pull the case to the point where the intersection of the case body and neck is roughly aligned with the right hand side bolt lug notch in the receiver. At that point, the cases sometimes fall off the bolt face and land over the top of the next cartridge in the magazine. Roughly 1/2 of 30 cases failed to eject after fire at the range yesterday (3/23).
There are no obvious overpressure signs and I am well clear of the max load. The primer is not deformed, nor are there cracks or seams near the case head.
Troubleshooting to date:
I have had the rifle since November. Ejection problems were not noted until late January, after roughly 300 rounds had been fired.
Rifle was sent to Surgeon Rifles for evaluation ~ 2/6. Stephen reported that they were unable to recreate the problem; however, Stephen said that they did slightly relieve bolt's extractor to address any potential case extraction issues.
After receiving rifle, the ejection problem persisted at the range. Afterwards, the Hornady brass we prepped per specs above and Winchester brass was also purchased to determine if brass was faulty. Additionally, a fellow Hide member let me use his .300 WM AI magazine to rule out a faulty magazine. Ejection problems still noted. Hide member noted that ejector spring was potentially defective.
Per Hide member's recommendation, the firing pin was removed from the bolt and the internals were thoroughly cleaned. but the ejection issue persisted and the bolt was sent back to Surgeon on 3/8 with request to replace ejector spring.
Received bolt 3/21 with new ejector. Upon receipt I immediately cycled 15 loaded Hornady and 15 loaded Winchester rounds without ejector malfunction; however, at range on 3/23, roughly 1/2 of 30 cases failed to eject after fire.
After experiencing this issue at the range, I cycled 69 loaded rounds. Every single loaded cartridge ejected without issue. This included cases loaded with Winchester and Hornady. Conversely, 3 of 30 empty cases that were shot yesterday of the virgin Winchester lot failed to eject from the receiver. The failed cases have no noticeable defects and they did eject on a second attempt. On a second test, 1 of 15 cases failed to eject with a failing case having passed on the first attempt. I then full length resized the fired cases. After resizing, 16 of 30 cases failed to properly eject.
I'm at a loss of how to proceed. I have attempted to rule out the brass, magazine, extractor and ejector, and I'm sure you can sympathize with my frustration. Customer service with Surgeon has been first class, but I want to get some more input from more experts on this forum before bothering them again.
I very much appreciate any help. Thank you.
.300 WM
Surgeon XL
Bartlein 1/10 MTU 26" with Badger FTE
MCS T4A
Load:
Hornady or Winchester Brass trimmed to 2.610" (trim length per Hornady reloading manual) Note: Winchester brass was virgin
Hornady 208 gr BTHP/AMAX, .020" from lands
76.8 gr H1000
Federal Gold Magnum primers
All cases full-length sized with Forster Ultra FL Sizing Die
Problem summary:
Cases fail to properly eject from receiver. In every malfunction instance, the extractor is able to pull the case to the point where the intersection of the case body and neck is roughly aligned with the right hand side bolt lug notch in the receiver. At that point, the cases sometimes fall off the bolt face and land over the top of the next cartridge in the magazine. Roughly 1/2 of 30 cases failed to eject after fire at the range yesterday (3/23).
There are no obvious overpressure signs and I am well clear of the max load. The primer is not deformed, nor are there cracks or seams near the case head.
Troubleshooting to date:
I have had the rifle since November. Ejection problems were not noted until late January, after roughly 300 rounds had been fired.
Rifle was sent to Surgeon Rifles for evaluation ~ 2/6. Stephen reported that they were unable to recreate the problem; however, Stephen said that they did slightly relieve bolt's extractor to address any potential case extraction issues.
After receiving rifle, the ejection problem persisted at the range. Afterwards, the Hornady brass we prepped per specs above and Winchester brass was also purchased to determine if brass was faulty. Additionally, a fellow Hide member let me use his .300 WM AI magazine to rule out a faulty magazine. Ejection problems still noted. Hide member noted that ejector spring was potentially defective.
Per Hide member's recommendation, the firing pin was removed from the bolt and the internals were thoroughly cleaned. but the ejection issue persisted and the bolt was sent back to Surgeon on 3/8 with request to replace ejector spring.
Received bolt 3/21 with new ejector. Upon receipt I immediately cycled 15 loaded Hornady and 15 loaded Winchester rounds without ejector malfunction; however, at range on 3/23, roughly 1/2 of 30 cases failed to eject after fire.
After experiencing this issue at the range, I cycled 69 loaded rounds. Every single loaded cartridge ejected without issue. This included cases loaded with Winchester and Hornady. Conversely, 3 of 30 empty cases that were shot yesterday of the virgin Winchester lot failed to eject from the receiver. The failed cases have no noticeable defects and they did eject on a second attempt. On a second test, 1 of 15 cases failed to eject with a failing case having passed on the first attempt. I then full length resized the fired cases. After resizing, 16 of 30 cases failed to properly eject.
I'm at a loss of how to proceed. I have attempted to rule out the brass, magazine, extractor and ejector, and I'm sure you can sympathize with my frustration. Customer service with Surgeon has been first class, but I want to get some more input from more experts on this forum before bothering them again.
I very much appreciate any help. Thank you.
