Short M700 action

[ken06]

Opinions wanted.

Buddy offered me his M700 "truck" gun for $40. No question I will buy it. Have always pondered the idea of cutting an M700 action in half and shortening it enough to be .223 length with no mag. spacer. I am a highly qualified TIG welder and understand the importance of not heating specific portions of the receiver and bolt. How much tolerance would be allowed in the matching of receiver length to bolt length? If I don't get it exactly right, can the bolt handle be removed and moved to correct this? think it would make a dandy platform to build a 20" barrelled 6.5 Grendel for my cousin's 4 yr. old son (in a couple of years). I sthere anything I haven't thought of?

 

[Sin_arms]

It can be done, a lot of work and a lot more work trying to get the bolt right, firing pin right, stock right, etc. If you have a ton of extra time and a full machine shop with very good knowledge of everything in there you might be able to make it work. Or you could just build that action up in a 08 based cartridge or something else and get a CZ527 for the short stuff. Already the proper length for 221-7.62x39 cases and is a nice action.

 

[jscandale]

Do it. Sounds like a great project. You can just cut the bolt in half and take out a piece of the bolt as well. You ought to preheat the action before welding it and let it cool as slow as possible.
A frind of mine did it with a pre war mod 70. Turned out great. can't even see the welds at all.

JS

 

[Rustystud]

A few years ago there was similar project on either Home Shop Machinist or Practical Machinist "Gunsmithing Forum". A Mauser action was shortened to shoot 45 ACP ammo.
Nat Lambeth

 

[CentrePunch]

What a great idea, i have been wanting to build a 17 Fireball on a 700 short action but never thought it the ideal length.

Ian.

 

[DCRYDER]

Cool project. May even drop in a Model 7 stock. Keep us posted on your progress.

 

[Spook]

sounds like a lot of effort to arrive at what a CZ 527 already is

 

[Larryh128]

There is a complete article about shortening a mauser action to a short action. I believe that it was in gunsmithing project magazine. If I don't forget, I'll look it up tonight & post it. If you don't see a post in 24 hrs, PM my memory back.

 

[Larryh128]

The book was The Gun Digest Book of Riflesmithing edited by Jack Mitchell. They shortened a M70 Win. Everything, reciever, firing pin, bolt was shortened exactly the same amount thus eliminating any variables.

 

[tdking]

Why go to all that trouble when you can buy a Model 7 action with a 223 Rem bolt face complete with trigger for $300. Look for the following post in the Guns, Actions, Stocks and Barrels forum under the Marketplace:

FS - New Remington Model 7 actions, rh, 223 boltface, $300.00 shipped

TDK

 

[p17enfeild]

What a great idea, i have been wanting to build a 17 Fireball on a 700 short action but never thought it the ideal length.

Ian.

hi Ian
I have found that the bolt is too think to work well with fireball length rounds, feeding is always a problem ,
cz 527 work grate ,