Rem 700 bolt problems

[BigTexWyatt]

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.

 

[brcfo_outdoors]

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.

 

[BigTexWyatt]

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.

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.

 

[big johnson]

Try taking the mount off and see if the bolt will cycle, sorry if you have already done that as I may have missed it in your post.

 

[TJH]

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.

 

[Lazy D]

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.

 

[pavementends]

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.

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?

 

[Shortmag11]

Following

 

[xsn10s]

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.

I agree with this. Whenever you run into problems you reverse whatever you have changed first.

 

[xsn10s]

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.

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.

 

[sleepyj5]

Check your front action screw it might be too long. Seen it on 2 other Remingtons. Because Remington has different Variations of stocks they install the wrong length action screw.

 

[highfinblue]

My guess is the base screws, I did the same thing with a Savage 12, put a shorter screw in, problem solved. Hope it's that simple

 

[M1A1ABRAMS]

Please be sure to respond back when you get it figured out. It may help some other person in their choices.

 

[Jester896]

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.

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.

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.

X2
and when you loosen the second screw you may find if the screw bottomed out or you have good rail to receiver contact.