Oversize reamer for bolt-way on a 700 action

[Designer]

I have a Remington 700 LA that I am going to use for a project and I want to ream the bolt-way and go with an oversize bolt from Pacific Tool. Using round gauges to measure the existing bolt-way dia, it looks like it will take about a .710 reamer to clean it up.

A "normal" size reamer of .705 only cleaned up one very small area and basically did not remove anything. A .707 reamer cleaned up about 40%. Does anyone know of a gunsmith that has a reamer in the area of .710?

Thanks

Designer

 

[cntryboy1289]

Check out GreTan rifles, Greg I think can make you one that size.

 

[Rustystud]

Designer:

Dave Kiff at PT&G can and will make you a reamer of any size you need. I would suggest if you are going to have him make an oversised bolt let him make the reamer. He has several bolt styles in stock.

You might could true and bush your existent bolt. If you do that .710 will work just fine.

Dave Manson at Manson Precision reamers can also cut you a reamer of any size you may need.

Donald Barnett at Clymer can cut you a reamer of any size you might want or need.

I don't think Manson or Clymer make aftermarket bolts.

Most BR gunsmiths will already have a .705 and /or .710 reamer.
Greg Tannel, Jim Borden, have good reputations for their bolt work.

If your bolt race is out of center you will also most likely need to remove the receiver threads and recut them concentric to the bolt race.

You are talking about spending some serious money. I don't understand, for about the same investment why don't you get a custom action IE: Stiller, Borden, Kelby, Bat, Panda, Neseika Bay and the list goes on that are true from the get go.

Good Luck
Rustystud

 

[chino1969]

Designer,
I have several Remington actions that have sleeved bolts and honed bolt ways. They were acquired through deals that were very beneficial to me; previous owners needing money. I personally would not spend the money required to true and blueprint a Rem. action, sleeve the bolt, and hone the bolt ways. The reason is that by the time you go to all that expense, you could have bought a custom action that has all of that precision built-in as part of the design. With a custom action you still have a custom action; with a Remington you are left with a Remington action. This difference will matter if you ever decide to sell. To each his own, and if you still decide to go with the Remington you will end up with a reasonably accurate to a very accurate rifle. The gunsmiths mentioned in other posts are all capable of extracting all inherent accuracy out of a Rem. action. Do yourself a favor and look at the comparative prices on some custom actions and tally up what you will spend getting a Rem. action close to that degree of precision and you may have a different perspective.

 

[Designer]

I hear you, a custom action would be the way to go but I have the action and can do most of the work myself. Sort of enjoy shooting something I helped build rather than just buying the parts and hiring it done. My problem is I have not been able to find a gunsmith with the reamer.

I know Greg Tannel and he is the one that provided the .707 reamer. It would probably would be ok the way it is but I would rather get it a little better. I'll take the advice and contact Bordens to see what they might have. Hopefully something will turn up.

Designer

 

[coupalr]

I had mine bored to .710 and the bolt is .708 from pacific tool. I have not shot it yet but I will this week.

 

[Rustystud]

Designer:

A reamer can be cut and size you need. Dave Kiff cuts custom reamers everyday for both the shooting world as wells as the industrial world. For that matter you could cut it with an adjustable reamer. You could cut it with a boring bar and then hone it with lapping compound. There are many ways to do what you want and need done. The factor is what do you want to spend getting it done. Who ever does it needs to have a good solid jig that is adjustable both for co-axial and concentric alignment.
Rustystud