Hawkeye bolt not extracting rounds

[StevenK11]

I have a LH Ruger Hawkeye 30-06 that doesn't like to extract the cartridges very often.   Works sometimes, other times it doesn't.

When moving the bolt forward, I can see the cartridge slide up into the bolt face and claw action just fine.  On ejection, the round extracts about half-way and then falls just below the bolt face.  It doesn't stay in the claw area.  I tried pulling the bolt slow or fast; but no difference with a dummie round.

Is the spent cartridge's primer supposed to hold the cartridge tight in the claw after firing?

Any idea why this happens?  It does this whether there is one or more rounds loaded in the magazine.   Been this way since I've owned this "mauser actions are so reliable" Ruger rifle.   

Thanks for any help!

[StevenK11]

Apparently, this happens on M77/Hawkeye actions.  Still, having every 3rd or so round not extract all the way doesn't inspire confidence:  
  
     http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=502072


As soon as I get my newly purchased 41 mag and 44 special revolvers back from Ruger repair (canted barrel, pitted/damaged sights), I'll consider sending the Hawkeye back as well.  

[Luckyducker]

If you are telling me that the empty hull jumps out of the grasp of the extractor before it is fully rearward and ready to be ejected then what you have is one of Ruger's ejector springs that hold too much tension.  I have seen this fixed with the simple replacement of the spring.  It is inside the bolt behind the ejector button on the bolt face.  Usually when this is the problem the rifle will extract and eject loaded rounds well but when the case is empty and light it will push off the bolt/extractor prematurely before it is in correct position to leave through the loading port. 

[rugerfan.64]

Welcome to the Happy Hawkeye owners club. Verdict is still out on the one I sent back. Havent had the chance to shoot it. But in all fairness to Ruger they did a pretty quick job of looking at it. Like I say,havent fired it yet.

[StevenK11]

If you are telling me that the empty hull jumps out of the grasp of the extractor before it is fully rearward and ready to be ejected then what you have is one of Ruger's ejector springs that hold too much tension.  I have seen this fixed with the simple replacement of the spring.  It is inside the bolt behind the ejector button on the bolt face.  Usually when this is the problem the rifle will extract and eject loaded rounds well but when the case is empty and light it will push off the bolt/extractor prematurely before it is in correct position to leave through the loading port. 

There is no ejector spring/plunger on this model.  Just a claw.  The bolt face is smooth...mauser style, not plunger style.   The ejector on this Hawkeye is a fixed bar located way back inside the receiver.  When the cartridge hits this bar, the round is ejected.  Unfortunately, when the claw is extracting the round, the round just falls out of it and leaves the round partially extracted.

Just received an e-mail back from Ruger on this.  They are saying that the claw is not holding the round firmly against the bolt face.  And yes...this is exactly what it is doing.  If I take the bolt out of the rifle, and I drop a round behind the claw, it just wobbles around behind it and falls out easily.  There is no resistance to "hold" the round behind the claw.   I'm thinking about just disassembling the bolt and bending the claw myself.



On a good note:  Ruger fixed both of my new revolvers, and will be sending them back next week.  No charge for shipping or repairs.  yea  !   

[StevenK11]

Fixed it.

I figured out how to remove the claw extractor from the bolt.   Next, put an oh so slight bend in the last 1/2" section with a cresent wrench near the claw end (can't even see the change with your eye).  Put the claw back on the bolt.  Tried putting a round in the bolt face manually; the claw grabs the shell firmly now.   It doesn't fall out, even if I shake the bolt.

The rifle bolt cycles perfectly, slow or fast; and extracts/ejects the round every time.   

Looking back on this:  I think when Ruger slid the claw extractor on the bolt at the factory, someone must have been a bit too aggressive and bent the extractor while getting the guide notch over the bolt lip to lock it in place.

[Lloyd Smale]

I know they were having just that problem with a bunch of 416 rugers

[StevenK11]

I am a Ruger fan through and through, but for Ruger in this modern age of CNC machinery and supposed high QC standards(their words, not mine), this type of build quality is a real downer.  Besides the Hawkeye problem, which should have been caught at the factory, just how do you release a modern revolver from QC with the front sight canted to the right?  Unfortunately, it was bought new via the Internet, so I had no way to pre-inspect it (or...uh...do Ruger's QC job for them).   The Internet is where I do 95% of my purchases though.  The days of finding a local shop aren't an option for me.

Two pluses for going with Ruger though:   

• Ruger is fair about fixing the problem's pronto; whether recently purchased or not.  Because my revolvers were new, they paid to pick up both revolvers for repair, with a 3 week turn-around.
• When they are tuned to spec, the Ruger firearms are a joy to use and own.  I feel much more satisfied about my Hawkeye purchase, now that it works correctly.  Being that it was my first bolt action rifle, I didn't know if the mauser action was working correctly.  After reading various forums on the Internet about how the mauser should perform, that told me mine wasn't doing its job.   That claw holds the round firmly now, no matter what direction the rifle is in.

 


Note: The cartridge used in this pic is a dummy round with no powder or primer.

[Luckyducker]

I like Ruger rifles in theory and have owned several, but haven't even looked at a Hawkeye.  I say "in theory" because I like their integrated scope ring system and the feel and look of them, but the bore on them are just left too rough and hence copper foul too quickly.  I have a Mk II standard platform 30/06 that is very accurate when clean but after a few rounds accuracy falls way off and it is one bugger to clean down to bare steel.  I bought this rifle in used but like new condition and when I brought it home and examined the bore closer I saw it was full of copper and thought the previous owner just shot it until it fouled and then traded it.  That may have been true or he may have run out of solvent and decided it had to go   I also have a tang safety M77 in 25/06Rem that is also rough and it is pickier than all get out for a load that will shoot well.  I am starting to get more into Savage rifles lately.  Well, I am glad you tweaked your extactor and corrected Ruger's problem for them and don't have the headache of returning it for warranty work. 

[poncaguy]

I was shooting my Ruger Hawkeye 338 Federal today( 1/2" group) and it ejects brass about 8 feet to my right  and slightly back..

[old06]

I checked my new hawkeye in 270 win RH and no problems with it it will ejetct the brass out and has a firm grip on the case feeding