Fabricate a Bolt for a Remington 514

[Traffer]

Hi Folks,
As many here know I reload 22lr. i have an old Remington 514 that I have been using to test fire my experiments. I recently broke off the bolt handle. The handle is the lug for the bolt lock up. I have been thinking about fabricating a new bolt. The old one is really not very strong. I have had many rounds mal-formed from the ejection parts. I figured if I delete the ejection mechanism, the bolt will hold the brass better (less malforming). My main question is the steel. The gun was manufactured in 1948. I planned on using a grade 8 steel bolt as the diameter is just slightly less than 9/16" I can use a 9/16" bolt and have a minimal of turning down. I may even go ahead and rechamber it for a 22 mag.

 

[boom boom]

Lot of machining work there. Numrich (gunpartscorp) has a replacement bolt body for the 514 for $61.25 Complete bolts on ebay for about $100-120.

If you do not want to reweld/braze the handle, you could use the idea of the ATI kit for Mauser bolts--it uses screws and a bracket to reattach the bolt handle to the bolt body. I believe sportsmansguide and jg sales used to have it.
Here is the ati description http://www.atigunstocks.com/mauser-bolt-handle

 

[Traffer]

I checked out the Mauser bolt. It's a great idea but won't work on my gun. I don't want to pay $61.25 + shipping for a bolt. That is more than the gun is worth.

 

[Jim K]

I wouldn't rechamber that old Remington for .22 WMR. Not only is the rifling twist wrong and the bore diameter undersize but the high speed jacketed bullets of the .22 WMR will tear up the rifling in that old soft steel barrel.

Jim

 

[4v50 Gary]

I'd weld the bolt handle back on.

 

[Traffer]

Thanks 4v50 Gary. I have decided to do just that. I have a flux core welder. Gonna get some thinner wire and practice up, get the settings right and weld that sucker back on. I am now considering adding another lug to the bolt. I could cut a slot on the opposite side of the receiver and fabricate a spring loaded lug on the bolt that would retract with the rotation of the bolt. Fun project.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Good. Practice first on other pieces and make a jig to hold the bolt and the handle so it can be welded where you want it to be welded.

 

[natman]

Hi Folks,
As many here know I reload 22lr. i have an old Remington 514 that I have been using to test fire my experiments. I recently broke off the bolt handle. The handle is the lug for the bolt lock up. ......... I have had many rounds mal-formed from the ejection parts.

Reloading 22lr, broke bolt lockup, malformed brass.

Perhaps your reloads are a bit too hot.

 

[Traffer]

Yes the brass malformation was from hot loads but the the bolt not.

 

[Traffer]

I have a piece of scaffolding hardware that I think would make a good jig.
Only thing is my welder is in unheated garage and it's been well below zero here in WI lately. Oh well, nothing like a nice arc to warm a person up.