Opening up a remington bolt face

[bearhunter]

guntech, I don't know what you call "not that hard"

I have two reasonably powerful lathes, which are more able than most lathes I've seen in most gun shops over the past decades.

The work has to be precise as you stated and tools that aren't up to the job don't make precise cuts from my limited experience.

I won't even try to compare my knowledge or skill levels to those you've garnered over your career.

I've just seen so many botched jobs, done by people with limited equipment and skillsets, as to what we're discussing on this thread, that I sometimes shudder at the thought.

Not many smiths are knowledgeable or skilled enough to follow the procedure you outlined, let alone have the attachments for their machines.

I see it more and more where smiths are subcontracting their jobs to local machine shops or amateur/retired machinists. I'm fine with that. It shows the smith is smart enough to know their limitations.

 

[Willy 1]

Yes I am going to check with them and see what is available.

 

[guntech]

Remington bolt faces are not that hard, as in hardness of the steel... easily filed or machined. Making the required alterations however can be considered hard.

 

[tiriaq]

It is much easier to machine the bolt to accept Sako pattern extractors than to machine the face to accept Remington pattern units.

 

[guntech]

It is much easier to machine the bolt to accept Sako pattern extractors than to machine the face to accept Remington pattern units.

Yes it is... but why is only part of the extractor system installed? Laziness ? Ignorance ? As done it converts the 700 from the strongest, safest 2 lug action to considerably less safe... especially if you are a handloader.

 

[Hitzy]

Might be more economical to just grab a used 700 mag for $480 and work with that.
https://greatnorthgunco.ca/product/remington-700-in-7mm-rem-mag-5/

 

[Willy 1]

That is a very good price but what I need is a short action with magnum bolt face.

 

[SuperCub]

It can be done correctly and safely with a considerable amount of labour but not all 'smiths' are capable of doing it... it's easier to buy a bolt with a factory magnum face.

There's lots of magnums for sale these days.

 

[Willy 1]

That is what I plan on doing. Not sure how plentiful they are but I will eventually find one.

 

[tiriaq]

If absolutely necessary, a long magnum bolt can be used to make a short magnum bolt.
Deepen the thread, cut to length, remount the bolt handle. The cocking cam and hold cocked cuts must be made.
I know this is a possibility because I used a long bolt to make a short one once.

 

[longrangethumper]

It will work just fine if you never have a catastrophic case failure...
Why didn't you have the complete Sako extractor system installed? You left out the most important part.

The bolt guide or deflector is part of the original Sako extractor system. It protects the shooter.
View attachment 916836

Looks like more of a metallurgy defect there. Wow.

 

[Willy 1]

If absolutely necessary, a long magnum bolt can be used to make a short magnum bolt.
Deepen the thread, cut to length, remount the bolt handle. The cocking cam and hold cocked cuts must be made.
I know this is a possibility because I used a long bolt to make a short one once.

tiriaq That sounds very doable. But finding someone that can do this and is willing to spend the time doing it may be a challenge. Also there is the cost factor likely cheaper to buy a donor gun. I have talked to PTG about getting a bolt from them and they can do it just takes some time.

 

[guntech]

Looks like more of a metallurgy defect there. Wow.

Not really, just the result of a catastophic case failure due to very careless reloading. ActIons are designed to limit damage to the shooter in instances as this. Sako did well here.
Now that is not the case when one alters the 700 system by installing part of the Sako extractor system. That provides NO PROTECTION.

 

[longrangethumper]

Not really, just the result of a catastophic case failure due to very careless reloading. ActIons are designed to limit damage to the shooter in instances as this. Sako did well here.
Now that is not the case when one alters the 700 system by installing part of the Sako extractor system. That provides NO PROTECTION.

Thanks for the input. I dont necessarily agree with the absolute statement as there are factors that exceed engineering design limitation when you introduce human error. That Sako action had a metallurgy flaw regardless of an over power load. The intergrannular failure is obvious and not in line with the typical fractures seen with 4130 or “bofors” alloy failures. That is an assumption on part regarding the Sako alloy. Regardless I appreciate any and all input from fellow smiths. That action picture is amazing. Thank you.

 

[Leeper]

Opening the Remington bolt and retaining the Remington extractor is possible but is not easy. Every time I've done one, I've been about half surprised that it worked! Add to that, it's difficult to even get replacement Remington extractors anymore, and it's not a wonderful job to undertake. I have relegated the task into the file of things I used to do, before I achieved the wisdom that comes with the golden years!