Increasing Rem 700 firing pin protrusion

[Ockhamsrifle]

I would like to ask a gunsmith to increase the firing pin protrusion on my Remington model 700 in 8X57 to the large end of specifications. I have been having trouble getting surplus ammo to fire every time. How much trouble/expense would it be to get this done? If I stay within specs there shouldn't be any problems with commercial ammo, right? Thanks in advance.

 

[Jim Watson]

Or you could get a stronger Wolff "Blitzschnell" mainspring for less money and no permanent alteration to the gun.
It sure helped a guy here to shoot Communist Chinese crap 7.62x39 in his Ruger 77.
The bolt lift was considerably harder, though.

 

[Jim K]

Jim is correct in that the firing pin spring may not be strong enough to fire hard military primers. Increasing firing pin protrusion will not normally solve that problem. But, as Jim says, increasing spring tension will make bolt lift harder - there is no such thing as a free lunch.

Jim

 

[Ockhamsrifle]

I already installed a stronger than stock firing pin spring from Wolff (I don't remember what poundage) and it did make the bolt lift harder. I apologize, I should have remembered to mention that. It didn't seem to improve the chances of ignition.

It sucks getting older but I guess it's better than the alternative.

The 8mm surplus ammo seems to have the primer set a little deeper, besides being a harder primer.

 

[straightshooter_la]

Check headspace on the rifle. It's possible that a slightly long chamber and or slightly short (even out speck) ammunition are causing the round to be driven forward and too far away from the bolt face to ignite harder primers. Look for a bright ring after firing on the fired brass just forward of the case head. It will be an indicator. You could also mic. a fired case from base to shoulder-neck junction and see if they are stretching excessively. I would not fire any more from this combination until you are absolutely certain of what is wrong.

 

[rmfnla]

Have you measured the firing pin protrusion? Is it less than normal (or at the bottom of tolerance?)

 

[blackwalnut]

Re: firing pin protusion on rem700 classic

You did not mention what type of hits were on the primers. Your surplus ammo could be the trouble. I have a Rem 700 Classic in 8X57 and did take it to a Remington authorized service center to have it repaired under warranty. The problem was that it would only chamber Federal factory ammo. Any way I am surprised that you would want to fire some type of surplus in a modern commercial sporting rifle like this. I would check out the origin of your ammo and even try some of your bad rounds in a Mauser. I consider this sacrilege though too. It is your rifle you can do what you want but after spending the money why risk it with some corrosive or ancient ammo thay may also have head separations and shoulder or neck splits. The Mauser has a heavy pin fall and thats why I mention it. I have also seen some of the surplus stuff split and crack. Anyway scrubs your bore with hot water or the old GI bore cleaner will work. Good luck.