Rem. 700 bolt play on empty chamber?

1

1911

Guest
Just built my second Rem. 700 short action in standard 308 Win.

I put the bolt nose tolerances where they are supposed to be, and headspace is on the money....I test-fired 4 rounds this morning and cases chambered, fired and ejected pefectly...They look great also, with no pressure signs or any other issues...The bolt closes and lifts with no additional effort...before & after firing...

..I'm only questioning myself on one thing...When the chamber is empty, and the bolt is closed, there is no appreciable fore & aft freeplay...If everything is OK, is this even an issue?..Did I under-machine the barrelface recess?..The bolt nose doesn't touch it at all, but man, it's right there!!

Should I worry or change anything?..The rifles for "once a year" deer hunting, and its all together, and I'd rather not, but if it's a safety issue, I'll gladly do it...Or after, say 100 rounds through it, will it somewhat settle in?

Reason this caught my eye is I have a factory-built 700 that has beau-coop bolt play...Is this just a "factory thing"?..

Any help with this would be greatly apprecaited..

1911
 
You are good to go... the only problem you might encounter is if you get a little debris between the bolt and the barrel the tight tolerances may show up... but if you ever have an overload problem you are safer with the closer tolerances...
 
Many Thanks, Dennis

That's great news....I appreciate the quick reply..

Regards

1911
 
1911

Did you check for fore and aft play (or is it aft and foreplay?) with the bolt stripped? You may detect a teeny amount that way. I usually fit mine so that there is just the tiniest amount, almost inperceptible. That way there is no doubt that the bolt is closing with lug contact instead of bolt nose contact.

Ray
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I agree with Ray. I call the bolt movement "tick-tock" and like to see a few thou there. Some folks feel that nothing on the bolt should be touching the barrel when the cartridge is fired and if there is, it is detrimental to accuracy. A few thou clearance is good.
One person's opinion.

Jay, Idaho
 
Actually;

I looked for the free play with the bolt in the cocked position...Complete with firing mechanism, shroud, etc...

I found maybe a thousandth or two freeplay when I de-cocked it....Now the bolt has a VERY small "tick-tock" to it....

I'm learning....

Thanks guys for the input..I have a gunsmithing file I write things like this down in..

1911
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top