replacing a rem 700 ejector in plugged bolt face

[cbailey1956]

Hello, recently purchased a rem 700 that has had the ejector in the bolt face removed and plugged. I am interested in returning it to stock ejector with weak spring for bench use. Hands and fingers are not as nimble as they used to be. Anyway I own a mill and lathe so have thought about drilling it but might run into problems if it happens to be hardened. Any ideas out there to keep me from damaging this fine bolt. Thanks, Craig

 

[swd]

The diameter of the plug looks big in the picture I’d measure it first and make sure the hole isn’t oversized. Might just be the bolt face size and pic but check. If for some reason it’s hardened use a carbide drill.

 

[cbailey1956]

Thanks, used a gage pin in stock disassembled bolt and compared it to the plug. Best I can see its the same size. Believe (memory) it was a .142

 

[swd]

Great, set it up nice and straight, use the gage pin to center it the best you can and peck away with a center drill and go for it. Use carbide if necessary. Kind of a fun job.

 

[cbailey1956]

thanks for the idea of centering with the gage pin for visual. Guess I will order a couple new center drill and carbide bits to have ready.

 

[Ggmac]

Hello, recently purchased a rem 700 that has had the ejector in the bolt face removed and plugged. I am interested in returning it to stock ejector with weak spring for bench use. Hands and fingers are not as nimble as they used to be. Anyway I own a mill and lathe so have thought about drilling it but might run into problems if it happens to be hardened. Any ideas out there to keep me from damaging this fine bolt. Thanks, Craig

Has the bolt had a sleeve ( bushing) installed to reduce the cartridge rim diam ? I’m not talking about the firing pin , I referring to say taking a bolt made for a magnum and reduce it to take a smaller case ?
Just one thing to check because it may change the ejector location or have your drilling remove some rim material .

 

[cbailey1956]

I dont think so. The picture angle does not show that but the plug diameter is not covered by the rim. I can see the entire edge of the plug where it butts up against the rim recess. Thanks

 

[paperpuncher]

If you’re going to drill it out you might consider tapping a threaded hole in the plunger and fabricating a puller and try to pull it out. It appears as if the bolt nose has a ring silver soldered in when the sako conversion was done I suppose it is possible that that the plunger was done the same way , take into consideration when planning out removal

 

[Walt Krafft]

Is there a pin in the retainer hole? If yes remove it first. Ya might get lucky and have the plug fall out.

 

[cbailey1956]

Is there a pin in the retainer hole? If yes remove it first. Ya might get lucky and have the plug fall out.

No pin installed, that would have been to easy for me. But yes I was hoping so when i first looked.

 

[marazzi59]

If you do the job use a solid carbide drill bit and end mill

 

[cbailey1956]

posted additional picture showing better angle. It does appear to have a small gap where a ring might have been added but still does not look like the plug is covered. close but cant tell .

 

[Cloudrepair]

It looks to me to have the very edge of the pin covered by the ring

 

[jackieschmidt]

It looks to me to have the very edge of the pin covered by the ring

^^^^^^^
if It was bored out and bushed to get rid of the factory extractor groove. It does appear that the insert will catch it.
if the ring is sil-brazed in, you could be getting ready to make a big mess. I would first take a 3/16 two flute end mill and with the bolt vertical in your mill, plunge down untill you are sure the insert will clear it.

while you have it in the mill, drill and tap a 6/32 hole in the inserts, and make a little slugging puller to pop it out.

it sounds like a lot of work, but getting it out without damaging things is the entent.

 

[cbailey1956]

thanks for the inputs. I need to visit my local sharpening shop and get new cutters to give it a try.

 

[Ggmac]

What cartridge is it for ? I have a new 223 size that may be in for a trade ? May be easier.

 

[cbailey1956]

thanks, but its a 30br

 

[AlNyhus]

Craig, my plan for putting an ejector back in there was to mill a 3/32" hole through the plug that's in there...basically the existing plug would be a sleeve. My bet is that Gary silver soldered that plug and the spacer for the extractor in as that's how he attached the bolt handle.

Then turn down the diameter of a stock 700 ejector to a few thou under 3/32" or make a new one. The depth of the notch on a factory one might get too close.

Like Jackie said, not making it worse would be the main thing to me.

For what it's worth. -Al

 

[cbailey1956]

Thanks for the advice Al. Knew you had thought about it from your prior posts. I am still making my mind up and have to go see what cutters I can get from the local supply. Thought about sending it to gretan or similar and getting the bolt bushed and see if they could do that work while they had it. Or maybe just leave it alone.

 

[AlNyhus]

GreTan isn't taking on any work at this time, Craig.

'Carlsbad' on here does excellent pin tip reduction and bolt face bushing. Maybe he could address the ejector when he's doing that...be worth checking with him. -Al