Rem 700 Bolt Clearance

[A Marsh]

I want to replace the bolt in my Remington 700 SA with a PTG bolt. I have measured the boltway and it is .7038. How much clearance should I specify? I was thinking I should order a .702 which would give me .0018 clearance. Is that enough?

 

[butchlambert]

Not for a hunting rifle and you may have to lap the bolt OD and bolt bore to make a smooth competition rifle.

 

[A Marsh]

Thanks Butch. It won't be a hunting rifle and i have no plans to compete with it. It is more of a bench varmint rifle that will probably never see any field dirt.

If I were to do a hunting rifle what is a good clearance? Would you go the whole .010 factory clearance or somewhere in the middle?

 

[butchlambert]

My Grandson's rifle (hunting) was too tight at .002. I did a lot of lapping and it works fine.

 

[A Marsh]

I think I'll order a .701 instead of a .702 and fore go a bit of lapping.

Thanks again.