Rem 700 bolt problems

B

BigTexWyatt

New Member
Joined
Apr 14, 2023
Messages
4
Location
Ohio
I have a unfired Remington 700 ADL (New production). I was installing a scope base and scope. Then went over the rifle to ensure everything was functioning properly. When I went to close the bolt, it only closed halfway. (The bolt was parallel to the ground). The trigger still works in this position.

After some fiddling around, I decided to see if it would close all the way with some force. It did, but was extremely hard to push down. And was even harder to lift. I had to lay the rifle down and use my left hand to hold it down while pulling up on the handle with extreme force to lift the bolt. After spending the last 3 hours researching, I can't find anyone having the exact same problem. The chamber is empty and has still never been fired.

I have tried loosening the front action screw (completely removed action and it didn't help) , lubing up all rotating parts on the bolt, I completely engaged the bolt and disengaged it several times. Can't seem to find an issue. I don't notice any rough areas or burrs. And no visible marks from metal scraping against metal. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
Sounds like the screws from your scope mount might be too long and are intruding into the action. What type of scope mount are you using? If I remember correctly, sometimes mounts come with long and short screws with the short ones needing to to further towards the muzzle and the longer ones going more towards the tang. If you reversed them they would protrude into the action and interfere with the bolt. Or they might just have come too long from the factory.
 
brcfo_outdoors said:
Sounds like the screws from your scope mount might be too long and are intruding into the action. What type of scope mount are you using? If I remember correctly, sometimes mounts come with long and short screws with the short ones needing to to further towards the muzzle and the longer ones going more towards the tang. If you reversed them they would protrude into the action and interfere with the bolt. Or they might just have come too long from the factory.
Click to expand...
I'm using a Seekins 20 moa base. I did put the longer screws in the back. And I forgot to mention that crossed my mind so I looked inside with a flashlight and didn't see the screws protruding.
 
Your front scope mount screws are probably to a bit to long. The rear one might be contacting the bolt locking lug when closing the bolt. The bolt would only get hard to close in the last half of closing as you describe if the screw is bit to long. If the front screw is to long it could be hitting the barrel threads, It will feel tight but is not tight against the scope base.
 
Loosen the second scope base screw back from the barrel and it'll probably close fine. That screw is directly above the bolt locking lug. You'll have to trim that screw down so it doesn't extend down into the action. It's most likely on a 1/2 thread or maybe one full thread too long. Probably have a rub mark on the left locking lug on your bolt.
 
BigTexWyatt said:
I have a unfired Remington 700 ADL (New production). I was installing a scope base and scope. Then went over the rifle to ensure everything was functioning properly. When I went to close the bolt, it only closed halfway. (The bolt was parallel to the ground). The trigger still works in this position.

After some fiddling around, I decided to see if it would close all the way with some force. It did, but was extremely hard to push down. And was even harder to lift. I had to lay the rifle down and use my left hand to hold it down while pulling up on the handle with extreme force to lift the bolt. After spending the last 3 hours researching, I can't find anyone having the exact same problem. The chamber is empty and has still never been fired.

I have tried loosening the front action screw (completely removed action and it didn't help) , lubing up all rotating parts on the bolt, I completely engaged the bolt and disengaged it several times. Can't seem to find an issue. I don't notice any rough areas or burrs. And no visible marks from metal scraping against metal. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Unclear from your post. When you say you "completely engaged the bolt" do you mean you closed the action or something else? Does the bolt close with the mount removed?
 
brcfo_outdoors said:
Sounds like the screws from your scope mount might be too long and are intruding into the action. What type of scope mount are you using? If I remember correctly, sometimes mounts come with long and short screws with the short ones needing to to further towards the muzzle and the longer ones going more towards the tang. If you reversed them they would protrude into the action and interfere with the bolt. Or they might just have come too long from the factory.
Click to expand...
I agree with this. Whenever you run into problems you reverse whatever you have changed first.
 
BigTexWyatt said:
I have tried loosening the front action screw (completely removed action and it didn't help) , lubing up all rotating parts on the bolt, I completely engaged the bolt and disengaged it several times. Can't seem to find an issue. I don't notice any rough areas or burrs. And no visible marks from metal scraping against metal. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't have done anything with the action screws in trouble shooting this issue. The first thing I would have done was remove the scope and then test cycle the bolt. If it's still tight then remove the screw closest to the barrel. Test and continue removing screws until the bolt cycles freely.
 
BigTexWyatt said:
I'm using a Seekins 20 moa base. I did put the longer screws in the back. And I forgot to mention that crossed my mind so I looked inside with a flashlight and didn't see the screws protruding.
Click to expand...
you wouldn't be able to see the screw in front of the lugs in the receiver without a scope. If the front screw is too long it may not tighten properly without damaging the tenon threads if it is too long. The base of the screw doesn't contact the rail, the end of the screw bottoms out on the tenon threads before getting the rail tight on the receiver.
Lazy D said:
Loosen the second scope base screw back from the barrel and it'll probably close fine. That screw is directly above the bolt locking lug. You'll have to trim that screw down so it doesn't extend down into the action. It's most likely on a 1/2 thread or maybe one full thread too long. Probably have a rub mark on the left locking lug on your bolt.
Click to expand...
X2
and when you loosen the second screw you may find if the screw bottomed out or you have good rail to receiver contact.
 

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