700 Bolt Not free falling

[KCurr0917]

Hey everybody,

I’m trying to get as precise on my reloads as possible and was trying to find the lands so I can set my jump on my Remington 700 222. It’s an early 1970’s model ADL I bought recently. I’ve watched a few of the videos online about taking the firing pin and ejector out and using a dummy round to find lands…In the videos their bolts free fall with no resistance and I can’t seem to get mine to do that…even with no round in the action..I’ve put grease on the lugs but it hasn’t fixed the issue so figured I’d come here to look for some suggestions on what to do to get it smoother.

Thanks in advance!

 

[LHSmith]

Possibly have lug recesses filled with crud.
Also possibly a scope mount screw is too long and touching the bolt. Look for marks on the front of the bolt body

 

[LHSmith]

Another possible cause is the magazine spring is exerting pressure.

 

[William Vogel]

The bolt head might not have enough clearance between the barrel tenon.

 

[RegionRat]

If you have the bolt stripped and it doesn't just drop, we have to start with a very thorough cleaning of the receiver and inspection to make sure there are no foreign objects to blame before we do much else.

Then we also examine the trigger group area and magazine follower to make sure they are also clear of the bolt. Get everything you can out of the way.

There is supposed to be enough clearance in the dimensions of the chamber to the bolt where the stripped bolt body should drop. If there isn't it should be pretty easy to determine where on the bolt you are getting drag.

 

[565tinfitter]

Another thing to check is a long front action screw rubbing on the bolt head.

 

[6Creed73]

If you have an ultrasonic cleaner, strip the bolt and let it run in the ultrasonic for a few minutes to get it clean. Then apply a very light coat of gun oil.

And like 565tinfitter mentioned, I always check the action screw. I've had two bolt guns that need the action screws ground down.

And for what it's worth, I'd look into getting an OAL gauge and modified case. Though the method you are using will work to find the lands, an OAL gauge is easier and repeatable.

 

[hogpatrol]

Factory rifle with no modifications? I'm voting for crud in the lug abutments.

 

[hpshooter]

Is there a build up of crud around the extractor or on the bolt face?

 

[KCurr0917]

Wow thanks for all the reply’s so quick! I will jump on these recommendations asap!

 

[Bill Norris]

If you can take the firing pin assembly out of the bolt you may find lots of crud in and around the firing pin spring or the spring may be rubbing inside the bolt as well.

 

[K22]

I've seen this a few times before in 700's. In both cases, the lug recesses were full of powder residue and lug lube forming a "mud" like paste. In both cases, the owners never cleaned the chamber or lug recess areas. In both cases, the rifles had seen hundreds of rounds fired without cleaning these areas of the receiver.

It's easily fixed using a recess lug cleaning tool (Dewey) with mineral spirits to remove the "mud". Depending on the amount of accumulation, it may take several applications, but it can be removed. The chamber should also be cleaned with and oversized bore mop and mineral spirits.

 

[tom]

Does it fall free without the dummy round? If not, check all of the above. If it does, then address the brass/chamber/sizing die issues next.

Tom

 

[AlNyhus]

If it's a repeater, remove the mag spring and follower....or drop the floor plate open if it's a BDL.

 

[KCurr0917]

Well gents thank y’all very much! Taking the stock off and removing the mag plate was the fix! I knew this was the place to come!!

 

[L.Sherm]

The bolt head might not have enough clearance between the barrel tenon.

I had a SA that had this problem.

 

[powderbrake]

I suggest cleaning the lugs. Here is a cleaning kit from Brownells, it is out of stock, but you can see what is there and make something that will clean the front face of your lugs.
KIT

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I suggest cleaning the lugs. Here is a cleaning kit from Brownells, it is out of stock, but you can see what is there and make something that will clean the front face of your lugs.
KIT

He found the problem to be the mag follower putting upward pressure on the bolt but you're absolutely right. Just good practice to keep that area clean anyway and cold weather may compound the problem with lube and junk in there.

 

[LHSmith]

Well gents thank y’all very much! Taking the stock off and removing the mag plate was the fix! I knew this was the place to come!!

So, it could have been the magazine follower OR too long a front action screw. I would verify which was the culprit.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

So, it could have been the magazine follower OR too long a front action screw. I would verify which was the culprit.

You're right. I read something into his last post that wasn't there and I assumed it was the mag follower. But yes, just removing the bottom metal altogether removes more than just the spring and follower. So yes, it still could be a screw too long.