LarryE44

Can you change the bolt head on a rifle bolt with a bolt head from Numrich without changing anything drastic? I was working up a load for my .308 and shot a round just below the maximum listed in my load manual. It crushed the ejector spring and popped out the extractor and the extractor detent ball. They landed in the magazine. I have replaced these parts. I'm having problems getting a good group and was just wondering if the bolt face could have been damaged. I don't see any, but sometimes that does not mean anything. I was just working up the load and had not found a load that would give me good accuracy yet when this happened. I'm using a 150 gr. SPBT and can't get anything under 2". Both Savage and the .308 cartridge are inheritably accurate and I should be able to do better. Any ideas on the bolt would be appreciated. Thanks everyone. Larry

solvability

I believe that you would need to check headspace after a bolt head change.

Did the base of the case fail -did the primer fail ?

My concern would be damage to the receiver from the bolt lugs. See if the headspace is in spec now - if not, I would be concerned about your rifle.

Savage extractors do pop out on occasion and are a weak design - does not require a high pressure load to do it either.

I have two Savages and both are very accurate and a bargain too.

LarryE44

Thanks, solvability; it was the primer that failed. Could never find it. Smoke came out of the pressure relief holes in the receiver when it happened. I use the go and no go gauges and they fit like they are supposed to. I used my RCBR precision mic. the land and grooves are .043" from bullet ogive. I love the Savage rifle but having real problems with this one. I worked up loads with IMR 4064, Win 748, Reloader 15 and V133. I try to get a good load with a powder then I start seating the bullets at different depths until I find what works with that particular barrel’s harmonics. All my other rifles will shoot sub 1 minute of angle groups at 100 yards. Getting this accuracy from my hunting rifle is just a hobby. My other rifles I used in big bore competition. What do you think about changing the bolt head? Larry

solvability

Given what you said - I would not bother with changing the bolt head.

Try Varget powder - I get my best groups with it in 308.