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It won't take much lapping to achieve full contact; probably not more than a thou or so. When lapping, using a properly sized O-ring at the front of the bolt will provide rearward pressure while centering the bolt nose and preventing lateral deflection. The truth is, the compression of the bolt...

I use Lapua, Lake City Match, and some Federal Match. The federal is a bit soft so I use it in a short range gun (300-500M) using 168 Sierras. This rifle has a tight neck (.334) and requires turning. The barrel is a 14 twist so it's not really suitable for long range. I use lake city in it as...

The final hand reaming, with the barrel in the action, is a good idea on post-64 Model 70's. They have an interrupted thread and when tightened up, the chamber is distorted. Re-thread the action to 1 1/16' and it isn't a problem. Regards, Bill

I believe McCracken bullets were under ten cents apiece back then and I bought Sierras for about 6.50 a box. I still have some Winchester match bullets from around 1980 which cost me 5.60 per hundred. Given inflation, I guess things are not that bad now! Regards, Bill

It is probably just me and my changing perspective but I found there to be some actual excitement surrounding BR matches, equipment and competitors in the earlier days. This is largely because there was more mystery to me then as opposed to now. I didn't start shooting competitively until 1977...

I have barreled a few over the years and I consider them to be a stiffer 40X (htese were 1970's vintage actions). They were not as precisely made as are modern precision actions. They are more rigid due to smaller ports and, in some cases, larger diameters. I would still consider one to be...

I can't help but feel a little bad because nobody ever wants me to help them get out of Nigeria or anywhere else, for that matter. I did have a nice gentleman who seemed to be in India who offered to fix my issues with Windows if I would just allow him access to my computer. I told him, "Thank...

I have had reasonable success with brazed tip tools which I grind to shape but I find that cobalt steel works better for contouring. Regards, Bill

The change when an unhardened die is hardened is like night to day. Soft dies pickup and scratch. Regards, Bill.

Black on white assaults are reported on so seldom that one might think they never occur at all. Regards, Bill

You will be alright using data for the 22 PPC or the 222 Rem Mag. I have a set of RCBS dies which are surplus to my needs. PM me for price. Regards, Bill.

While it makes sense to shoot the best BC you can, it is important to remember that it is up to the shooter to beat the wind. One of the most important things I have found is to try and eliminate all vertical dispersion; or as much as possible. This will give you more latitude for windage...

I have long used this same method to turn my necks. I turn a new mandrel for each batch. In addition, if the head of the case runs out sigbnificantly, I'll go ahead and turn it but will separate those cases. Seems they will never quite straighten out. With Lapua 6BR brass and Lapua 308 brass...

Pat, There should be a spring which applies pressure to the follower linkage when the gate is closed. Sounds like you have a broken or missing spring. I no longer have my 98 to look at. Regards, Bill

I have never used a piloted drill but have used a common twist drill to rough chambers and still do so in some cases. A properly ground drill which is fed at a good rate will follow a hole , if not perfectly, very close to it. For precision chambering, I drill only to allow better access with...

I used to sleeve the bolt but didn't really like it. After seeing a couple of actions built with "bumps" which tightened and aligned the bolt only when the handle was lowered, I started retro-fitting bumps to various bolts. I simply cut two .050 deep, 3/8 dovetails then installed a couple of...

I've been relying upon the tailstock graduations to ream to depth for a long time and am happy enough with the results. I can see where a reamer stop would be useful though. Regards, Bill

The truth is, you would have to have a very accurate platform to see the difference, at the target, between a receiver with trued threads and one with threads as they come. In hunting rifles in hunting calibers, no way. The offset chamber you mention is something Remington seems to be able to do...

I have set up this way but lacked the testicular foritude to use the power feed. Another time I held the floating holder and reamer in the chuck and the barrel in a Palmgren milling vise on the toolpost. This was an over/under barrel set. Again, no power feed ( yep, chicken!). Regards, Bill

I don't know, Jackie. I recall, several years ago, getting scolded severely by an engineering type, right here on this site, when you or I mentioned checking a receiver this way. ;) She wasted her time on me too and I still check receivers this way. Regards, Bill.