Gunsmithing 700SPS Bolt Question

[shooterman_zero17]

Just purchased a 700SPS Tactical (.308) and am having bolt-on-brass contact. When cycling rounds, the bolt drags through the next round in the magwell deep enough to catch a nail on.

I read that taking higher-grit sand paper and a polishing compound can remedy this. I have 3200 grit sanding cloth and found the problem areas to a tee, but before I go sanding anything (especially the bolt), I had to pose a question.

Should I be concerned about bluing/finish? If sanding it breaks it down to metal, what should I do about it? Blue/refinish and get on with shooting, or leave it be?

And just to make sure, this rifle has a 1:12 twist, correct?

 

[deadly0311]

Re: 700SPS Bolt Question

just get on with shooting it, its just the bolt no need for it to look pretty

 

[usmc7980]

Re: 700SPS Bolt Question

I would think that polishing the body would be fine, but stay away from the lugs. You could always jewel it and that would solve your problems most likely

 

[300sniper]

Re: 700SPS Bolt Question

is the bolt nose sharp/rough? that is the only portion of the bolt i could see causing scaring on the brass in the magazine. there may be a small bur or the edge was never broken on the bolt nose from the factory. that should be easy enough to knock down and you probably would never even notice the finish after firing a few rounds.

 

[flyboy]

Re: 700SPS Bolt Question

Most of the brass scratches I'm seeing on these guns is coming from the mag feed lips on the underside of the action and not the bolt itself. If you take the action outta the stock you may see brass color on the action itself where the bullets are held down in the mag box. That was the case with my SPS tac and with a few others I've seen on here. Look there first..

 

[shooterman_zero17]

Re: 700SPS Bolt Question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: flyboy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Most of the brass scratches I'm seeing on these guns is coming from the mag feed lips on the underside of the action and not the bolt itself.</div></div>

I have seen brass evidence on the feed lips, and was going to knock those down also. There were two sets of lines appearing; one on the side of the round where it contacts the feed lips, and the other on the top of the round where the bolt runs through the action. I figured there was nothing else that could have contributed to those second scratches forming; I took a couple fresh rounds and cycled them through. I just find it troubling...and wanted to deal with it before I get out to the range again in a couple weeks.

 

[flyboy]

Re: 700SPS Bolt Question

If thats the case, you may indeed have a bolt that is also scratching the brass. What has been said above will help you with that.