Rem 700 - sticky bolt

Done_Swimmin

Done_Swimmin

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Hi All

I have a used Rem 700 in 243 that has a nice smooth operating bolt when cycling or dry fired with snap caps.

BUT

when you fire a real round it is so tight I have to put my thumb on top of the scope to get enough leverage to open the bolt. i have it in at a smith right now and he thinks the lugs are not seating and he plans to compound them into a (better?) syncronous locking position.

All the while he is trying to not open up the headspace too much to warrant removal of the barrel.

Hoping for the best results possible.

Pete
 
It sounds more like excessive pressure. Lapping lugs is not the way to correct it... if lugs have poor contact the action/bolt should be machined true. Lapping can easily induce a tapered lug/recess fit. I am not a believer of lapping lugs.

If it is factory ammo try a different batch, if it is reloads correct the problem.
 
Hi All

No signs of excessive pressure at all. Smith said someone has polished the chamber may need more. Bolt shows scratches behind one lug where side thrust seems to make it bind. Could be galling of the lugs. I am calling smith back on Friday to get a report. Will post his fix/advice. Hope to save this gun.
 
Well hard bolt lift is one sign of excessive pressure. There is no side thrust on bolt lugs... don't quite understand that thought. Your smith may have to remove the barrel and have a look at the lug recesses. This isn't a lost rifle, it should be straight forward to fix once diagnosed correctly.
 
If I had to guess (and I do), I would say the extraction cam (at the root of the bolt handle) does not mate up with the corresponding surface on the receiver. As a consequence, there is a divot in the camming surface on the bolt (handle) which makes extraction difficult. This is very common. Lapping lugs will accomplish nothing. Marks on one lug (probably the bottom (right hand) lug, are typical of Remingtons. Someone may be blowing a little smoke.
 
Thanks

Latest report is the chamber is rough. He is polishing the chamber and has already lapped the lugs. We will see how it works when I get it back next week.
 
Done_Swimmin said:
Thanks

Latest report is the chamber is rough. He is polishing the chamber and has already lapped the lugs. We will see how it works when I get it back next week.
Click to expand...

Hows does a chamber JUST get ROUGH ? and if the bolt opens and closes smoothly not much chance the LUGs are galled either ! My BEST GUESS is it is a tight chamber and needs milder loads ! Leeper and Guntech are both very good Smiths ! RJ
 
Hi All
Gunsmith now says excessive headspace and rifle needs barrel pulled,cut 100 thou and rechambered or rebarrel. he suggests just selling it and buying another. Anyone know which is cheaper, repair old barrel or new barrel?
I am not the guy who sticks someone else with a problem so I will keep action, sell stock, etc...
This would be a great basis for a project rifle, hmmmm
Any advice out there.....
 
If it was mine, I would thank him for his time. And of course pay the bill. Then I would contact Mr. Sorenson and have him repair as required. You will get it back working properly, no matter what needs fixing.
 
Sorry to hear, reading about these sort of issues are the kind of things that worry me about buying used rifles. Glad you're a stand-up guy and aren't intending to pass this onto be someone else's problem. Remington now offers lifetime warranty on their firearms but unfortunately not transferable so you only get that coverage if you buy new.
 
Done_Swimmin said:
Hi All
Gunsmith now says excessive headspace and rifle needs barrel pulled,cut 100 thou and rechambered or rebarrel. he suggests just selling it and buying another. Anyone know which is cheaper, repair old barrel or new barrel?
I am not the guy who sticks someone else with a problem so I will keep action, sell stock, etc...
This would be a great basis for a project rifle, hmmmm
Any advice out there.....
Click to expand...

I'll buy the action if you don't have project in mind...
 
I would send it to Dennis. I'll bet ya a Tims that for around $250 you'll have a fully trued receiver and a great shooting rifle....

I've only owned one rifle he's worked on, I regret selling it.

John
 
Silvertip13 said:
If it was mine, I would thank him for his time. And of course pay the bill. Then I would contact Mr. Sorenson and have him repair as required. You will get it back working properly, no matter what needs fixing.
Click to expand...

Thanks! Please help me get it touch with Mr Sorenson?
 
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