Machining bolt head from .535" to .590"

[spmorgan]

Hi All,
Just wanted a bit of advice, I was wondering if there would be any problems machining a weatherby vanguard action bolt from the standard .535" out to .590" to accomodate a larger head case with regard to safety or bolt strength. The bolt size is .680", would appreciate any comments? Shane

 

[PPP MMM]

Strength shouldn't be an issue

But because of the thin rim bolt "nose" it will leave the extractor very thin.

Shoot well
Peter

 

[Mike Bryant]

There wouldn't be a problem opening up the bolt face. But, as PPP states, since the Vanguard uses a M-16 type extractor that is set to depth for the smaller bolt face, you'll have trouble using the same extractor for the magnum case head.

 

[Jay Idaho]

A friend has opened up several "regular magnum" Wby Mk5s to accept the Lapua/Rigby case. He buys the proper extractors from Wby. I don't do Wbys so I don't know the style extractors used in them.

 

[PPP MMM]

Mark V extractor

A friend has opened up several "regular magnum" Wby Mk5s to accept the Lapua/Rigby case. He buys the proper extractors from Wby. I don't do Wbys so I don't know the style extractors used in them.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

It's a L shape M16 type extractor but it's too narrow for the Vanguard bolt replacement. All the regular .680"-.700" "nosed" bolts are too small for a hook extractor to work reliably with the .590" rim/face. Even the Mark V .720" bolt nose is nothing to wright home about.

Shoot well
Peter

 

[PEI Rob]

Savage bolt head, win mag to Lapua mag. Set to cut bevel in pic, I recut it at a different angle after that pic. Brownells tool was only 6 bucks.

Cheers,
Rob