Gunsmithing Fitting multiple bolts on rem 700

[jram]

Im planning to build a .223 trainer. I have a savage rifle I was was planning to use, but now I’m wondering why not just run a .223 bolt on my rem 700 with rem-age / ARC barloc setup.

Off the top of my head I think there might be issues getting proper lug contact on the 2nd bolt by lapping it in, well not without affecting my .308 bolt. I would think if the lugs on both bolts are machined for uniform contact it should work fine.

Am I over thinking this? If lapping both would work fine I could do it myself. If machined is the way to do this right, is this a common thing? Any recommendations on a smith?

 

[Bandaid]

Im planning to build a .223 trainer. I have a savage rifle I was was planning to use, but now I’m wondering why not just run a .223 bolt on my rem 700 with rem-age / ARC barloc setup.

Off the top of my head I think there might be issues getting proper lug contact on the 2nd bolt by lapping it in, well not without affecting my .308 bolt. I would think if the lugs on both bolts are machined for uniform contact it should work fine.

Am I over thinking this? If lapping both would work fine I could do it myself. If machined is the way to do this right, is this a common thing? Any recommendations on a smith?

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong but you will probably need to be worried more about bolt timing more than anything. You will be able to set headspace no problem with the remage setup. And you should be able to lap the bolts pretty true, but the extraction timing will likely be off ( some factory remingtons arnt in time from the factory). I would recommend having a qualified gunsmith true the action and both bolts.

 

[XLR308]

By the time you go to the trouble and expense of having a 700 trued as well as an extra bolt purchased and trued if needed to the action it would be money better spent on just getting a custom action.
FWIW

 

[DAVETOOLEY]

The correct way is to machine each bolt the same way when the action is trued. Then a very light lapping to mate all the surfaces together. That's the feel good way. The second best way is to machine the second bolt the same way as the first. Then a very light lapping, in fact I would skip the lapping part and just shoot it. Lapping does not replace quality machine work. Lapping takes a high spot on one piece and creates a low spot on the opposing piece. Extraction timing is a crap shoot with any Remington.

Edit
What work has been done to the action?

 

[jram]

Thanks for the replies guys, it’s a trued PTG rem 700 action with a 1 piece ptg bolt.

On the timing I was hoping that if I bought another ptg 1 piece it would line up pretty good.

The action feels great, and I think PTG did a good job but was considering having it trued again with both bolts then pinning a recoil lug so the switch barrel setup would be easier. But I’m really interested in that second best method too.

As far as the price goes, here’s my logic. I don’t mind switching the firing pins between bolts, so it’s only a bolt body I would need to buy and the action or bolt work. I’d save out on the cost of a second stock so it doesn’t seem like a bad use of funds.

 

[Ledzep]

For plate shooting, non-BR practice, as long as you make contact with both lugs, I'd just run it.

Is it ideal? Probably no. Can 99% of people shoot the difference? Probably no.

If you want to feel warm and fuzzy, spend as much money as it takes

 

[jram]

Thats good info thank you, cost is definately a factor (the mian factor) and I justified action work on the remington as the cheaper alternative to getting the savage built up, but if its not necessary I wouldnt hesitate skipping it . Im going to order the bolt and see how it fits after it arrives in a few months.