Firing pin bushing options and bolt truing questions

[carlsbad]

Rich,
How did it turn out?

--Jerry

(bumping an old thread)

 

[Rich S]

This has been my rifle to learn with. It started out life as a 223 in a plastic stock. So far I am happy with the results. To date I have reamed the bolt raceway 0.015 over, cleaned up the lugs and face of the receiver, cut the threads 0.015 over, installed a full length sleeve on the bolt and turned it to allow 0.002 clearance, squared the bolt lugs, bushed the bolt face for 0.062 firing pin, turned the firing pin, had Dan time and tig the bolt handle, contoured a straight barrel to a LV, chambered and fitted the barrel to the action with a lug from Paul, bedded the action in a Boyds stock. Its chambered in 204. Ive only shot it one time using some Pdog loads I had with 32 grn vamax. 5 shot groups were in the low 3s. I purchased some 39 and 40 grn pills to try but haven't had the opportunity to get back out and develop a load yet. I replaced the Remington trigger with a Jewell the other day. I'm hopping to get groups down in the 2s. Regarding the bolt face and firing pin, they tuned out pretty good. I used a scope base screw for the bushing. I had some issues with my tool post grinder so single point cut the firing pin. I did as Alex said and ran it at 2000 rpm and cut with HSS. It seamed to work fine. Next step load development then I will probably play with firing pin timing some. This has been a fun project. Between making my own tooling and the rifle work I have learned quite a bit. I could have several customs rifles with the investment made in machinery and tooling, but whats the fun in that. I appreciate all the support and advice received on this site. Attached are some pic of the bolt and firing pin.

 

[carlsbad]

Well that makes me glad I asked. Man after my own heart--spending a lot more time working in it than shooting it. Looks great. I'm impressed with what you've done. About all that is left is the side bolt release and a threaded knob. Oh yeah, then you can start making tools for trigger timing. .

 

[Rich S]

Well that makes me glad I asked. Man after my own heart--spending a lot more time working in it than shooting it. Looks great. I'm impressed with what you've done. About all that is left is the side bolt release and a threaded knob. Oh yeah, then you can start making tools for trigger timing. .

View attachment 1021734

This ones not getting a bolt release but Im working on a couple Remington single shot 700s that will get the bolt release and PTG bolts. I noticed your bolt release pin is only from the bottom. Did you install a screw like some of the custom actions?

 

[carlsbad]

I was going to make a screw type out of a 4/40 hardened set screw but decided to go with a hardened dowel pin to minimize breakage. The PTG bolt release has a 1/16" hole in it so it isn't terribly robust. I've replaced a lot of roll pins that have sheared in the application on custom actions. I wanted to avoid a hole on the top. So far I haven't had a single one fail.

--Jerry

 

[Dan Seely]

I use a very sharp tool, spin as fast as the lathe will go and turn the pin down. Light cuts and a little paper after.

If you ream the hole to 0.0620", what final diameter do you shoot for on the pin?

 

[boltfluter]

Shoot for .059 diameter. In case you are still pondering this! Lol.

Paul

 

[Will Henry]

I have always just screwed the bolt onto a stub and run the front in the steady rest.
The stub is screwed in tight then trued to be concentric with the bolt body.
Then, the stub is held in the 4 jaw, with brass wire and the front in the steady. WH