M78 Parts Diagram

[sakointerest]

I recently acquired an M78 Hornet that is missing some parts. I have not been able to obtain an owner's manual or an exploded diagram of the rifle or a parts list. Can anyone provide a scan of a diagram/parts list? The parts I am missing include the rear magazine screw, the ejector and any other parts than accompany these two.

Thanks

 

[paulsonconstruction]

sakointerest: I am not sure what parts you are referring to. I have a M78 Hornet but there are no screws in my magazine. The ejector is not a separate part, but is milled into the action & also acts as a rail for the bolt to travel on. Put some pictures of what you are looking for on the forum & I will be able to identify what you need and hopefully assist your search.

 

[sakointerest]

paulsonconstruction: I will attempt to post some photos below to show the area immediately behind the magazine box in the receiver where I believe the ejector is supposed to belong. Without it, my bolt is using the sides of the removable magazine as guide rails instead of the ejector. It appears to me that the ejector is mounted on a part that fits at the back of the receiver just behind the magazine box and is held in place by a bolt/screw that goes through the receiver from below at the back of the magazine box. I appreciate your assistance.

 

[paulsonconstruction]

sakointerest: Wow! Looks like someone perform major surgery on that puppy. The only place I know you could try is Numrich Gun Parts. Google them and you can look at their parts lists or contact them to see if they can help. A good smith or any regular machinists could make what you need if they had the shop drawing or the actual part from another gun to measure. If you have no luck finding the parts, I could take mine to Fred Ragle, Gun & Machine in Omaha, Neb. 402-393-1911 & see what he would charge to make & ship you the parts.

 

[sakointerest]

paulsonconstruction: I searched Numrich, but the only M78 parts they list are stocks. The reason I was asking about a parts list and diagram is so that I would know which exact parts I am missing and what their proper nomenclature is. I am guessing that there must be a steel block that fits into the lower part of the receiver immediately behind the magazine. The ejector must either be a part of this "block" or attached to it. The assembly is probably held in place by a bolt/screw that also secures the rear of the magazine box. You must live in my neck of the woods if you are close to Omaha. If you don't mind, I'll send you a PM with contact information so that we can communicate directly. I appreciate your offer to allow Fred Ragle to duplicate the parts from your rifle. I have not used his services, but I was expecting to need to have parts fabricated in a machine shop since 1) there don't appear to be that many M78s around and 2) doesn't look like anyone stocks a significant quantity of parts. By the way, how does yours shoot? If this wind dies down, I'll take mine out with some Hornady 35gr Vmax ammo and see what it can do.

 

[paulsonconstruction]

sakointerest:
You are right on about the ejector being part of a milled block that the screw holds in the bottom of the action. Doesn't look like it would be very hard to make. All you need is a mill & a drill press. The screw can probably be purchased once you identify the diameter & pitch of the threads. This is the 4th Hornet I have owned ( 3 of which were Sakos) and none of them shot that great. I think it has more to do with the cartridge than the rifles. The 78's are based on the rimfire action and I think the lockup of the bolt is also a factor. Friend of mine has a CZ which is a true centerfire bolt in K-Hornet that drives tacks. Trying some new loads at this time using James Calhoon 30 grain double hollow points that are showing great promise. BC of the Calhoon's is better than the 35 V-max and I chonographed some the other day @ 3300 fps. Working on consistency as groups vary from .25" to 1" @ 50 yards depending on which three cartridges you shoot. Loaded some today with toilet paper as a filler to keep powder next to primer to hopefully improve extreme spread & get more consistency. You should try some of the Calhoons. They were specifically made for the Hornet and will turn it in to a 200 yard gun.

 

[sakointerest]

paulsonconstruction:

I mounted a spare 6x scope on the M78 and after zeroing, fired a four shot 1 1/4 inch group at 100 yds using Hornady 35gr Vmax factory ammo from an improvised rest. The funny thing was that even missing an ejector, the first 3 rounds ejected fine, apparently using the rim of the cartridge in the magazine as an ejector. The last round came off the extractor about half way back and fell on top of the magazine follower. All I had to do was point the rifle slightly upward and roll it to the right into my hand.

I sent an email to a person in the Sako factory (found in one of the other forums) to see if there is any hope of finding a factory part. If not, I'd like to take you up on your offer to use your ejector assembly as a model to have them fabricated.

Looks like I'll have to get dies and start to load for this one. I'll have to try the Calhoon bullet you suggested as well as the 30gr Barnes Varmint Gernade.

 

[paulsonconstruction]

Sakointerest:
That's exceptional accuracy for a Hornet with factory ammo & a 6x scope. Should be well worth repairing. Let me know what you decide.

 

[sakointerest]

paulsonconstruction:

I haven't heard anything back from Sako about parts or even a manual or parts list. Probably never will. I would like to pursue having the parts fabricated if you are still willing. I really appreciate your help here.

 

[paulsonconstruction]

Sakointerest:
I'll talk to Fred today & let you know what he says about making the parts. We can meet there when you are able.

 

[paulsonconstruction]

Sakointerest:
Took my M78 to Fred Ragle today and we disassembled the action to look over the part you are missing. It's not very big, about the size of the end of your thumb. Fred said he can make it but it would be a tedious & time consuming job. As with everything time is money, so he estimated the cost to be on the plus side of $200. As the gun has very little value without the part, my opinion is it would be worth it unless you can find a parts gun that is not missing what you need for the same money or less. Give Fred a call to discuss. I can take my rifle to him so he can duplicate the parts. Let me know either way because I will be selling mine to finance another Hornet project as soon as possible.

 

[sakointerest]

paulsonconstruction:

I spoke to Fred about the making the part, but once I thought about it, this part would cost almost as much as I have in the rest of the gun. If I had to, I could part it out and at least break even.

What I would like to do is photograph and measure this part. Since this is just a hobby for me, I will find a way to make the part, just not as quickly as Fred is capable of doing. I really appreciate your offer to help.

 

[paulsonconstruction]

Sakointerest:
Market value of a M78 Hornet is $600 to $800 if all the parts are there. Unless you have the proper tooling & metal working skills & experience there is no way you are going to make this part yourself. The machining & tolerances required for it to fit and function properly are beyond the amateur's capabilities. Leaving this week for Texas. Rifle is going up for sale. I recommend you part it out because that's what you bought, a parts gun.

 

[sakointerest]

Any member with a Sako M78 (particularly a hornet):

Can anyone post a photo of an M78 ejector and assembly that is attached inside the receiver with a bolt/screw that also attaches the rear of the magazine box to the action? I would like to see what the factory part looks like. I can gauge the basic dimensions from the receiver and the bolt. You'd be surprised with what a resourceful amateur can do with basic tools, time and imagination.

 

[iblack75]

I have a M78 Hornet which shoots extremely well, particularly with Hornady 35 gn V-Max factory ammo and as soon as I can I will see if I can help you with photos and measurements, hopefully next weekend.
I acquired mine second hand about 13 months ago and although I don't shoot it much I would never part with it. I may refurbish the stock soon but it shoots well just has a magazine problem I am struggling with.

 

[sakointerest]

iblack75,

I acquired mine about three months ago as a " no-return" discounted item that suffered from an extraction problem. After I used it and took it apart, it was obvious that the extractor worked fine, but the ejector and the part it was attached to was missing. paulsonconstruction made a generous offer to have a machinist duplicate the part, but the cost was too high for my purposes. It shoots Hornady factory ammo into 1 1/4 inch groups at 100 yds and will probably do better after I adjust the trigger and handload for it. Even without an ejector, it will eject (the rim of the cartridge in the magazine functions as an ejector) until the last round which it extracts and drops on top of the magazine.

With a picture of the ejector assembly and some basic measurements I should be able to fabricate a part that will: 1) provide something for the rear magazine box bolt to thread into, 2) function as a bolt guide and 3) function as an ejector. Any help you can provide will be appreciated.

What type of scope and mounts do you use to mount the scope low enough to view without having to raise your head off the cheekpiece? Apparently the stock was designed with iron sights in mind. I am currently using a scope with a 32mm objective so I can mount it fairly low.

 

[iblack75]

I have a Leupold M8 fixed 6 X 40 scope with Leupold bases and rings, from memory they are low rings. I bought the scope second hand at the same time as the rifle to match the era or close to it. I have a little difficulty explaining keeping the head welded to the cheekpiece as I shoot left handed with a right handed rifle, not uncommon but still different. The rear iron sight has been removed on mine to accommodate the scope. I am working this Saturday so I will try to measure and photograph the parts for you this Sunday, cheers Ian

 

[iblack75]

Sakointerest, I tried to see the part you are missing and it turns out that mine is the same as yours and has the same charactoristics, i.e it ejects fine until the last round and then the case just sits there and has to be tipped out or the mag dropped. I had not noticed the part missing until you mentioned it and I tried to photograph it today. I will take it to my local gunsmith and get a verdict on whether to fix it or just persevere with it the way it is. I love this rifle so there is no question in my mind about keeping it, it just be nice to have it working properly. I wonder if it is possible for parts to come from a P78 rimfire. I am still trying to work out why the part has been removed in the first place.
Sorry I haven't been much help but now I know what is wrong with mine thanks to you.
Ian