700 vtr problem

[Schimms15]

I was at the range today with my brand new 700 vtr in .223. The first 40 rounds went no problem they were herters 55gr fmj the next 40 I had to slam the bolt down to lock it closed once I pushed the bolt forward I either had to force it back or slam it down it was stuck. These were 55gr jhp herters. Any idea why it's sticking I have tried no other ammo or went back to the fmj cause I shot all I had

 

[Joe in fla]

Holy C***! I just posted a message in the Gunsmithing forum about this exact problem on the same model gun just a couple of days ago. One of my GC members was at the range with a new 700 VTR and it did the same thing on the 4th round loaded into it! Four of us tried to move the bolt but couldn't. The owner finally had to take it home with a loaded round in the spout! Still don't know what caused it. This was a brand new gun and he'd only fired THREE rounds out of it before this happened!! My guy was using Remington ammo so it doesn't sound like an ammo problem. See my posting for more info.

 

[brandon_mcg]

hmmmm. not sure about this one. i have a VTR that ive fired a good many rounds through with no problems. hope it gets worked out

 

[DougW]

I have a .308 VTR, and in reloading ammo, I have to use a small base die to reform the case if the cartridge was not fired through the rifle. The chamber is TIGHT! My son's 700 SPS Varmit in .308 is the same way. Maybe the .223 is slightly out of "spec" and the tight chamber is causing the "fail to close bolt" issue. Factory ammo like Remington, etc. works fine in our .308. Look at the bolt face and see if you haave sone brass on the face now. My bolt face is brass coated slightly. The rough texture of the finish on the bolt head doesn't help.

 

[28lx]

Could be your ammo I would buy a box of Remington, Federal,Winchester ect ammo and see how it feeds. Sounds strange that 40 rounds of the FMJ ammo fed fine but the HP didnt. Sounds like the ammo to me.

 

[snakeman]

Seems like all I hear about is problems with remmys. That's why I got rid of mine a long time ago. I hope you can fix it. Clean the bolt face, check the chamer with a light for deformities and try some cheap federal fmj's. Good luck to you sir.