Rem 700 bolt lift improvement

[Rockchuck]

Like to hear about what you guys do to improve the bolt lift in a rem 700 action. I know timing is very important but after that what can be done to slick things up a little bit more.

 

[natdscott]

Yeah. Bolt timing is key.

The reasons dudes go with giant long-handled bolt knobs are twofold: 1) sex appeal, and (2) more leverage (even if they don't know it).

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Bolt lift is mainly cocking ramp geometry and spring weight. Timing has nothing to do with it.

 

[butchlambert]

Like to hear about what you guys do to improve the bolt lift in a rem 700 action. I know timing is very important but after that what can be done to slick things up a little bit more.

Are you having extraction troubles?

 

[Rockchuck]

No extraction problem just looking for easier bolt lift

 

[swadiver]

can you successfully trim the firing pin spring to reduce the lift and still have adequate force to reliably light off the rounds? i have a bushed bolt so i believe that helps on the light offs.

 

[swd]

A longer bolt handle is cheap to do and makes a noticeable difference. I wouldn't do anything that might reduce ignition efficiency.

 

[geo.ulrich]

stone the cocking ramp

 

[msinc]

Personally I've had better luck polishing the cocking ramp, but don't forget to polish the part of the striker that interfaces with the cocking ramp. Lubricant is important too. All this aside, nothing will change the way it feels as effectively as adding length to the bolt handle.

Edit: I don't necessarily believe bolt timing is "key" to how the handle feels on lift, but it is nevertheless important in it's own right. If bad enough it can certainly cause a click on opening....that don't exactly feel good either.

 

[natdscott]

Bolt lift is mainly cocking ramp geometry and spring weight. Timing has nothing to do with it.

I guess that's what I was referring to, along with extraction timing?

Please explain.

 

[gme]

you can see on the bolts pictured, the one on the left (Rem 700) the cocking piece notch is further away from the end of the cocking ramp (note the flat between the notch and the end of the ramp) than the bolt on the right (Pierce) that makes the cocking ramp on the left steeper which increases the bolt lift force, other factors I've found that helps decrease bolt lift is the surface finish as well as the surface hardness of the interacting parts, the bolt and cocking piece on the right have been nitrided, the harder surfaces glide easier over each other, if you decide to wade in and try re shaping your cocking ramp, be very careful, the water gets deep real fast

 

[Alex Wheeler]

The helix on a cocking ramp is critical to how the bolt opens, it has more effect on opening force than any other part of the system. If the helix is accurate a 28lb spring will feel nice. Be very careful doing hand work on cocking ramps. Remember that laying them down by the notch will increase cock on close.

 

[Rockchuck]

Let me ask you guys this when the bolt handle is closed what position should the locking lugs be in 12 and 6 oclock??

 

[swd]

Let me ask you guys this when the bolt handle is closed what position should the locking lugs be in 12 and 6 oclock??

Yes

 

[Rockchuck]

Well I had some bolt timing done and it's come back with the lugs in 1 and 7 o'clock position

 

[BoydAllen]

On the spring, Greg Tannel has had springs made with smaller diameter wire and, I think, more coils. You can ask hem about that. They don't stack as much, and improve the feel of the lift. Another option is the Tubb two piece spring. The cocked weight is not less but it takes less force in the top part of the bolt opening. I could explain why, but it would get a bit long for this thread.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Well I had some bolt timing done and it's come back with the lugs in 1 and 7 o'clock position

While the 700 was designed to have the lugs at 6 and 12, its not critical and some actions like a tikka are intentionally like that.

 

[Michael Huebner]

On the spring, Greg Tannel has had springs made with smaller diameter wire and, I think, more coils. You can ask hem about that. They don't stack as much, and improve the feel of the lift. Another option is the Tubb two piece spring. The cocked weight is not less but it takes less force in the top part of the bolt opening. I could explain why, but it would get a bit long for this thread.

Boyd,

Well I respectfully have to disagree regarding the Tubb dual spring.
The spring rate is less so therefore the cocked weight is less with the same travel.
Educate me on how with two 11.03 lb/in springs (which equates to half 5.52lb/in for overall installed spring rate)
Also I would like to know how it is a 24lb spring when cocked with 0.050 wire diameter.
Remington Long Action Spring
Tubb Duo Kit have the following dimensions;
Wire diameter Size = 0.050"
Spring OD = 0.394"
Free Length = 3.72"
No. of Active Coils = 20
Total Coils 22
Spring Rate: 11.03 lb/in each spring
One CW wound and one CCW wound Spring
0.095 Spacer
Overall spring assembly - 7.54”
Remington Action is roughly 3.33” cocked

I respect your knowledge and I am happy to be educated and see all the calculations to get it to 24lb cocked as my calcs I did say otherwise.

Looking forward to your reply

Cheers
Michael

 

[Michael Huebner]

On the spring, Greg Tannel has had springs made with smaller diameter wire and, I think, more coils. You can ask hem about that. They don't stack as much, and improve the feel of the lift. Another option is the Tubb two piece spring. The cocked weight is not less but it takes less force in the top part of the bolt opening. I could explain why, but it would get a bit long for this thread.

Any spring that has smaller wire and or more coils will have less spring rate - that’s why it feels easier to open.
Therefore hits the primer softer as overall spring force is less

Michael

 

[Dusty Stevens]

You need mass and speed. That comes with standard weight or heavier moving assemblies, and more than standard weight springs. Lighter springs equal less speed no matter what any salesman says or how good the bolt lift feels afterwards