Question for the Omark experts

[KHGS]

[Pommy Chris]

[bainp]

I used Sportco/Omark M44 rifles for 30+ years without the ejector. The last lot of brass I used was Lapua LR primer fitted, had something like 20 firings from each case before I retired it because the case head could no longer be sized down to fit easily in the chamber. That brass never showed any sign of a mark from the ejector hole. You can shoot competitively without loading to pressures where you get brass flow!
I agree entirely with Keith.
Philip

[Barry Davies]

Agree with Keith and Phil.
Overloading will cause brass " flow " with or without an ejector. Moderate loads do NOT cause brass " flow " unless you have soft brass caused by incorrect annealing.
Barry

[Pommy Chris]

[Malcolm Hill]

Chris. I have and still use several Omarks. I don't like having ejectors in target rifles so all of mine have had the ejector springs replaced with very weak ones that still leave it in place but not functional as an ejector. The reason I do this is to leave the design of the action and bolt head unchanged in regard to gas escape in the event of a pieced primer or such. In the many thousands of rounds that have been fired through them I have never had any issues with brass flow into the ejector hole showing up on case heads (223 or 308). My 223 loads are all just on or over 3000 fps.(checked with Labradar and Oehler equipment). Even with bolt heads that have been converted from 308 where an ejector pin can't be fitted or used due to location from centre this issue has never been a problem. As Keith said the only cause of the ring appearing is excess pressure flowing the brass in the case head. No other reason. Regards Malcolm.

[Pommy Chris]

[David B]

If the case is over sized or head space too loose mild loads could be slamming the case against the bolt face, but as Keith has said it has nothing to with the ejector missing. filling the hole would just mask a problem.

[Pommy Chris]

[Bigtravoz]

Just to be safe and alleviate everyone’s thoughts of the possibilities of case damage and venting of ruptured case gases I made a plug with similar tolerances to the ejector that sits just below flush with the bolt face (1 thou below) will see how it goes tomorrow.

[KHGS]

[Bigtravoz]

[KHGS]

[Barry Davies]

Light loads in tight barrels can cause " secondary " pressures which results in a spike caused by the high pressure gases catching up with the projectile prior to exit. Once thought not to exist but has since been proven to be there under certain circumstances -- light loads in tight barrels being one of them. It takes a LOT of pressure to have a case flow back into the ejector hole --Omark or any other action.
Barry

[Bigtravoz]