VThomps
Member
Got a model 700 rem and when I shut the bolt the handle and bolt will still move forward and back.The gun is brand new just picked it up Thursday.Any ideas?
Model 700?
- Thread starter VThomps
- Start date
Help Support Long Range Hunting Forum
LouBoyd
Well-Known Member
How much does the bolt move with the firing pin cocked? Play should be very small.
How much with the firing pin released? It should be around a hundredth of an inch. It's not critical but it's supposed to be loose to make extraction easier.
Try it in a safe place with a new loaded cartridge. There should be zero free play but don't force it. I'd get concerned if there's noticeable play with a cartridge ready to fire. It's not likely.
If you're concerned find a smith with a set of go no-go gauges for your chambering and check the headspace.
The bolt should close on the GO gauge, It should not close on the NO-GO Gauge.
Gauges are typically $50 per set if you can't find someone with gauges. They're normally used when fitting a barrel to a particular receiver so factory ammo should fit properly.
How much with the firing pin released? It should be around a hundredth of an inch. It's not critical but it's supposed to be loose to make extraction easier.
Try it in a safe place with a new loaded cartridge. There should be zero free play but don't force it. I'd get concerned if there's noticeable play with a cartridge ready to fire. It's not likely.
If you're concerned find a smith with a set of go no-go gauges for your chambering and check the headspace.
The bolt should close on the GO gauge, It should not close on the NO-GO Gauge.
Gauges are typically $50 per set if you can't find someone with gauges. They're normally used when fitting a barrel to a particular receiver so factory ammo should fit properly.
Last edited:
VThomps
Member
Lou with the firing pin cocked the bolt is fairly tight but in the fired position it is looser than my other model 700's.
LouBoyd
Well-Known Member
Quit worrying about it. To relieve your anxieties study the action very carefully and think though what controls that tolerance and what effect it could have on shooting. There are three places which could determine the forward movement of the bolt. Those are:
1. The cutout for the bolt handle touching the bolt handle.
2. The bolt lugs touching the end back end of the barrel.
3. The rim around the bolt face touching the bottom of the bolt recess in the end of the barrel.
The bolt shouldn't be touching any of those when the rifle is fired so it should not affect accuracy. None of those gaps set the headspace, but they all need clearance when the headspace is set.
