It is not uncommon to change bolts. There are many good reasons to do so.
Fit would be the main reason and bolt face would be another.the extractor style could be still
another reason.
Special work such as bolt handle and fluting change the appearance and is yet another reason
for a bolt change.
This is not a simple change and should be researched before entering into because it could be
very expensive and may not be nessary.
For example- If your existing bolt is a poor fit (Worn) and this is the reason to change it out,
you should buy an over sized bolt and the appropriate race way reamer, And a gun smith still
has to install the bolt and do the race way.
If you just want to change the bolt because of the bolt face and your action is within tolerance
you can change the bolt (Standard size), pick the type of extractor you want, the finish(Fluted
or ground) you want for very little difference in the price of a bolt face change and an extractor
change(Required when going to a larger bolt face) and the bolt handle you like, and the only
thing the smith has to do is head space it.
Standard 700 Rem bolt diameters are .700. the action race way is around .0035 , leaving .0035
clearance to operate smoothly but still function if it if not clean.
A new standard bolt will improve the fit enough in most cases and a oversize would not be nessary.
If the fit between your bolt and the action is greater than .004 or .005 thousandths a larger bolt
should be considered.
So the two reasons I would recomend changing bolts would be bolt face diameters and/or fit.
If this is decided then all of the options can then be decided. (Fluting,extractor type, bolt handle
and knob style, ETC.
Hope this helps you decide what you need.
J E CUSTOM
