[Doug308]

I was at the range resighting my rifle after putting a new stock on and had a problem.

I went through 25 rounds with no trouble and then I start having a feeding problem in the form of the rifle wanting to feed 2 rounds at once. Then after straightening the rounds out I found I could not lock the bolt in place. What I mean is that it will come out of the rifle and go back in fine, it will slide all the way to the closed position, but when I try to lock it down the bolt handle will not go down. There is no obstruction in the bolt handle's slot and I cannot see any obvious fault in the bolt, bolt face or chamber.

Any ideas?

 

[thornblom]

It sounds like the extractor is not engaging the rim of the case. If the extractor does not engage the rim of the case the bolt will not close. I had the same problem with a 700 VSF in .22-250. I installed a new extractor and it worked for about 20 rounds and then started the same thing again. I took it to a reputable Remington 700 gunsmith and he said it was not a problem with the extractor. And that's where it is at now. My question is, if you put the original stock back on the rifle does the problem go away. My rifle is original in every respect. Did your rifle operate without problems before you installed the new stock. If so, I would find a reputable gunsmith and get it fixed properly.

Sincerely,
Dave (Bubba) Thornblom

 

[Doug308]

Thanks for the ideas.

The problems did not start until the new stock was in place. So, it is obviously has something to with the changeover. And last night messing around with it I may have discovered at least part of the trouble. Apparently I did not install the screws correctly when attaching the new stock. I.e. I had the screw from the front hole in the back and vice versa. Once corrected the bolt did close (it would not even close on an empty chamber before). However, the gun has not been fired yet. So, we'll see. If this isn't the issue I think I am going to track down a Remington certified gunsmith.

 

[jerrschmitt]

The rear screw is longer than the front screw and if you mixed them up, that longer rear screw will go into the action and prevent the locking lugs from engaging. I've run into it when replacing a stock and the screws were too long for the new stock.

 

[Doug308]

Thanks for the info. If the thing isn't being nice to me at the range this weekend I'll do a bit if filing before taking it to the shop.

 

[jerrschmitt]

Thanks for the info. If the thing isn't being nice to me at the range this weekend I'll do a bit if filing before taking it to the shop.

All of my 700's have been changed over to allen screws because they are easier to torque. I bought the screws at the local hardware store and had to cut them to fit. Not hard to do.

 

[Doug308]

Thanks for the info jerrschimtt: I ground down the front screw a little and it work better than new.

 

[jerrschmitt]

I'm working on another one right now that has that very same problem. The stock has a grove for a Freedland rail so the bolts are 1/2 inch too long.

 

[Doug308]

I am so glad I joined the community. Lots of good information and always a lot of helpful, knowledgeable folks.