[maximus2161]

I have a new Remington 700P in .308. I am new to bolt action rifles. ARs I know but the 700P is a new animal to me. Anyway...The bolt doesnt seem to lock all the way down and seems to stick out to the side. Is this normal or is something wrong? The bolt handle wont go down any further and although I have not shot it yet it will load and eject rounds with ease. The bolt handle just does not seat in the notch that is in the stock and it wount go down any further. I am thinking it is just the way the bolt lever is made. Am I right? I am just worried my gun is defective or something.

Anyone help me on this? Here are some pics of the bolt:

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d143/jpa1701/Picture766.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d143/jpa1701/Picture767.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d143/jpa1701/Picture768.jpgR

[Outlaws]

I am not familiar with that rifle specifically, but if you take out the bolt, you can trace where the bolt slides on the bolt stop. Memorize its path if you can. See if you can follow it (imaginary like) as you work the action. It will be a slot for it to slide along the bolt (keeping it from rotating) and then when the bolt is forward it will twist around the cylinder so the bolt handle can twist to the right side of the rifle for locking the action shut. Just put it next to it if you need to and pretend if that will help visualize.

What I am trying to point out, is that when you pretend to twist, you can kind of tell how far it would let you twist and then you will know if it is actually twisting all the way or if its being held up.

Hopefully that makes sense?

[maximus2161]

yea I did and the pictures I posted show where the bolt lever stops. I am just trying to make sure this is normal. But I see pics of other 700's and the bolt lever lays down in the notch in the stock.

[mrmeval]

Something is wrong with that.

http://www.aubreyturner.org/armory/index.php?/armory/gun_entry/remington_700p_ltr/
There are clickable pictures, check them.

I'd call the dealer and ask them about it. If he can't satisfy you call Remington and talk to them. I'd not shoot it like that I can't see it being right.

[maximus2161]

great looks like I got screwed

[Outlaws]

Some bolt actions I have seen in shops have been a real tight fit and almost need a 'forward & down' to get the bolt closed. Would that close it further?

My friend had a 700XCR and it was a very tight fit.

If you look on the bolt itself, is there anything in the path that the bolt stop follows along where it would show how it is getting hung up? Like a chip of metal that needs to get filed a little to give the full motion back?

[maximus2161]

I have looked at the bolt and the inside as best I could. On the bolt I dont see any problems or defect. It comes out just fine and goes in fine until you turn it. NO matter how hard I try it just.....stops at the position you see in the pictures. It feels like it is locking in place but it can barely be bumped and the bolt comes right open. I am no expert but that just does NOT seem normal.

:banghead:

[Outlaws]

thats what I am saying. have you seen the groove that is IN the actual removeable bolt?

It will go the length of the bolt, then make a 90 deg turn and wrap around it a ways.

The thing that holds the bolt slides in this groove. So you follow that and see if there is anything blocking it.

Sorry if you know exactly what I am talking about, but it just doesn't come across in the past posts that you do.

[maximus2161]

I know what you are saying I just dont know the proper terminology. What I did was remove the bolt from the weapon. I checked the path the bolt follows to see if there were obstructions, etc. Didnt see anything. I checked the bolt. I dont see any defects with it. Once the bolt is inserted back in, the foward extended notches on the bolt line up fine. I am sorry if I am not clear.

[Outlaws]

When it takes that 90 deg turn, the the thickness of the groove narrow?

[maximus2161]

I am not sure what that meants but here is a pic of the bolt if it helps at all..

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d143/jpa1701/Picture769.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d143/jpa1701/Picture770.jpg

[Outlaws]

Oh....... Sorry. I was thinking about my Cooper style.

I have an old Remington 721 and it has that same bolt almost by the looks of it. For some reason I thought Remington had completely redesigned it.


Well the place the bolt is probably getting stuck is the front two lugs when they rotate inside the breech. I would feel around in there for any rough spots or look on the lugs them selves for signs of wear to indicate where the problem is. But then you said you looked everything over fairly good so that might not be it then.

I looked my 721 over really good and that is the only thing I can think of that would hinder closing it past half way.

[Waffen]

The problem is not with the bolt. It's either with the bolt path cut into the receiver or the headspace is seriously jacked. I know it's not what you want to hear but you should have a gun smith look at it.

[Waffen]

Actually after looking at my 700's you could just have a problem with the spring binding in the bolt. Take the bolt appart and see if thats the case. It's certianly possible it's the firing pin spring causing this. If you look on the 700 right before you turn the bolt down it's not fully lined up with the "nitch" in the receiver/stock. The bolt cams into this area. I'd definatly look into the bolt internals for the answer.

[maximus2161]

how do I take the bolt apart?

[Waffen]

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_8_45/ai_55605719

If I were you I would really try and hoss that bolt down, and I would double check the locking lug area inside the receiver. If you still can't find anything, go ahead and take the bolt appart, but be warned it's a pain.

[Waffen]

This exploded view might help as well.

http://www.gunsworld.com/exploded/rem700.htm

and a rather crude rundown of what to expect:
http://www.snipercountry.com/hottips/BoltDisassemblyM700.htm

[maximus2161]

ok got it! I will take a quick pic of the bolt now....

[Waffen]

This exploded view might help as well.

http://www.gunsworld.com/exploded/rem700.htm

and a rather crude rundown of what to expect:
http://www.snipercountry.com/hottips/BoltDisassemblyM700.htm

A good description:
http://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/9411043/m/159106274/r/159106274#159106274

The Remington 600/700 has a notch in the side of the cocking piece that a dime fits perfectly. As with the FN, hang the front of the cocking piece on something and pull the cocking piece out of the shroud until a dime can be put in the slot. Then simply unscrew the whole works out of the bolt……there isn’t a separate shroud lock like a Mauser…..

The firing pin and cocking piece is held together by a tight cross pin that usually resides under the shroud. The shroud has to be depressed against the firing pin spring tension and the exposed cross pin driven out so the firing pin and cocking piece can separate.......sometimes there’re tough to get apart. Be VERY careful. It's a friggin spear!

It takes several hands to do it without some way to hold the several parts together while working on it. There have been MANY Remington firing pins stuck very deep in important body parts of careless gunsmiths. Be careful.

[maximus2161]

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d143/jpa1701/Picture771.jpg

[Waffen]

How does it look inside the bolt housing? Any rough spots? I would shoot that spring, and the bolt housing itself with Rem oil or some form of lube. Also try and compress that spring with your hand. See if you can find anything binding it up. Unless the previous owner was screwing around with re-barreling it himself, or if he dammaged it with an over pressure load I don't know what else it could be.

[Waffen]

Also, try closing the bolt without the spring in there. It will tell you if it's the housing or the spring.

[maximus2161]

well i cant get the spring off

[Waffen]

don't have to. Just spray the crap out of it and wipe it down with a rag.

[maximus2161]

ah ok....did that! Man I appreciate your (and everyone else's) help on this. Something tells me I just got a messed up rifle.

Anyway...I put the bolt back it...nada...same thing. I ran my finger inside the chamber and in the grooves of the bolt area of the rifle...nothing...I use a light...nothing. This is starting to suck

[Waffen]

Take the assembly back out. Try just the bolt body alone. See if it closes. This gun has shot before, you can see the case head marks on the bolt face. It's something to do with the firing pin/firing pin spring assembly.

[Waffen]

Also, look at the bottom of the bolt, right around the locking lugs. There is an area for 3 pins drilled into the bolt assembly. Make sure none of the pins are protruding at all.

[maximus2161]

ok its not the bolt.....put it in with out the spring. Stops just like the pictures show. :mad:

[Waffen]

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot. Where did you get the rifle? It's time to take this to a gunsmith and say your prayers. It's either headspace or someone got real close to blowing it up with an over pressure load. :cuss:

[Waffen]

One more thing, just for the hell of it while we are trying, take it out of the stock, take the mag follower out and try it. You might be able to get a better view of whats going on.

[Waffen]

Heck, if you have to pull that scope off. The gunsmith will when he gets ahold of it. It might also help you see if there is a burr, or problem in the locking lug recess of the receiver.

[maximus2161]

this sucks royal ass.

I am done with it. The bolt stops when you close it like it hit a freaking bricking wall. there no give or anything that feels like its stuck or blocked. I dont know. I emailed the seller and hopefully he will take it back (Praying) and give me my money. He was a good guy. A police officer and a dealer so hope that counts for something!

If he doesnt take it back then I am screwed.

[Waffen]

Good luck with that. Keep us updated.

[maximus2161]

:scrutiny:

something tells me Im screwed. I have this feeling.....


:banghead: :cuss:

[Waffen]

I see you are in DFW. If worse comes to worse it's only a short drive to Ennis (your side of Waco) where Shilen is located! Anyway, this could be something I am missing, but a gun smith can probably tell you real fast and probably for free.

[USSR]

max,

Take the scope, rings, and bases off the rifle. Dollars to donuts your bolt won't close because one of the small screws used to attach the bases to the receiver is too long and is protruding down into the interior of the receiver.

Don

[maximus2161]

yea I checked the screws...nope.

I contacted the seller and he is taking it back and sending it to Remington. I am so bummed. I got screwed...but NOT by the seller....I mean I just loved this rifle and now its broke/defective! :(

Fortunatley the bright side is I dealt with a great seller who stands behind what he sells. Just sucks because I really like the 700P.

Guys I REALLY appreciate the help and advice and especially to Waffen who stayed up late giving me advice. I really appreciate it more than you guys could know!

[jlmurphy]

It could be the front action screw protruding from underneath, blocking the locking lug. I would have guessed the scope mount screws, but he checked for that. One other possibility is that the bolt is hitting the barrel, either the lugs, or the face, or there could be an obstruction trapped between. Good luck.

[Vaportrail]

Take your bolt out and flush out the area of the reciever where the bolt lugs cam down into. Clean this area well. Sometimes a grain of unburnt powder or a piece of debris is all it takes to keep a 700 from closing.