New Factory Bolt or Aftermarket/PTG?

[ObiJohn]

Hey everyone... I have an unfired Remington 700 Etronx .22-250 VSS that I want to convert to a conventional firearm (mechanical trigger, standard bolt). I know this can be done simply by replacing the trigger and bolt... but I need a bolt and a trigger. I can buy a Remington 700 SA stainless action for around $400... and sell the action to recoup some of the investment while keeping the bolt and trigger. I know the bolt needs to have the headspace checked, and adjusted if necessary (by a qualified gunsmith)... is this possible to do without any work on the barrel and action? Or would I be better off spending more money and going with a PTG bolt?

Also, who would you recommend for fitting a different bolt to an action. BTW, the rifle is unfired.

 

[shortgrass]

You would probably be better off selling the Etronx and buying a conventionally fired rifle. You may be able to sell at a premium as the rifle is "unfired". You got the box it came in? You could spend quit a bit making a conversion and the triggers that come with the 700 actions aren't worth having.

 

[ObiJohn]

Yes, the rifle is NIB and was from my inventory when I was a dealer. I don't know if I could replace this with an equivalent Rem 700 stainless VSS for the price of a bolt and trigger. That's why I was thinking of getting a bolt and trigger and swapping over to a conventional rifle. I also don't know what I could get... I've seen a couple of new rifles that I think were bought as a lot being sold online for around the $600 mark, and I don't think I could get the H-S Precision stock and a stainless Rem 700 with fluted varmint barrel for under $1K. These guns don't seem to be that collectible... which is a shame because they really were a good idea. If primers were readily available and not so expensive ($1/primer) I'd keep it as-is and just reload. That's why I was considering buying the SA stainless action and taking the bolt and trigger from it, and then selling the stripped action for $200 or thereabouts. Or... I've talked to PTG and have an 11-degree bolt with all of the necessary components (extractor, ejector, firing pin, shroud) in my shopping cart... looking at around $400 and then I'd add a trigger, e.g., a Timney or similar.

I'm just wondering what are the chances that the headspace would be valid just by swapping the bolt (and obviously checking with gauges)... I know that if I go the PTG route I'm going to have to have the bolt fitted by a qualified gunsmith. The difference is that I'd likely spend $700 to get the gun up and running with the PTG bolt, but maybe $400 going with the new Rem 700 action and selling the action. Yes, I know the Remington factory trigger will not be as good as an aftermarket trigger, but 2.5 lbs and crisp is more than sufficient for me.

 

[shortgrass]

A bolt swap is hit or miss, it may head space and it may not. If not, then you have barrel work involved to achieve proper head space. That's added cost, best done by a gunsmith, in my book.

 

[tobnpr]

Having never even heard of the Etronx, this was an eye-opener for me.
Interesting concept in reducing lock time to near zero...

There are (more than you would think) some serious Remington collectors out there...
I don't know how many were actually sold, but guessing it wasn't many- and you might be pleasantly shocked at what a collector might pay for one NIB. Worth looking into, IMO.

 

[shortgrass]

I see 1 on GunBroker listed for $1499, doesn't mean it'll sell for that, though.

 

[shortgrass]

Swapping bolts from one ignition system to another , clearance distances (bolt nose to chamber) should be checked also. You wouldn't want excessive clearance that might be dangerous. This kinda' stuff ain't "drop-in".

 

[ObiJohn]

I understand re bolt issues... I'd want a bolt that is as close to what I have as possible, so that going back and forth would be a simple bolt change and trigger swap. Should be possible with an oversized bolt.

Still on the fence between selling it and converting it. I know I'd settle for a lot less than $1500.

 

[jelenko]

I have no idea about compatibility, but the PTG bolt I bought had slightly thicker locking lugs than my factory Remington bolt.