Gunsmithing Is it possible to switch bolts????

[Rifle Barrel Blanks]

I have a LH rem 700 long action with a mag bolt face. If I got another long action bolt with a standard bolt face, would it fit and function like it should???

My idea is this, I currently have a LH rem 700 chambered in 300WM. I would like to build it into a .260 or .284 but would need a standard bolt face. Could I trade someone or buy another bolt and have it work flawlessly?? Thanks for the help guys.

 

[Calibur6918]

Re: Is it possible to switch bolts????

Well seeing as your gonna need to thread/chamber a new barrel to get the .260/.284, the Smith will true the action and headspace the chamber to the replacement bolt and action. Pacific tool and Gauge makes over sized bolts so a smith can ream the bolt raceway to tighter tolerances. You will need to get the handle timed and TIG welded.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Is it possible to switch bolts????

I have successsfully swapped Savage bolts with the same bolt face diameter in the heat of competition, when primer failures resulted in extractor failures.

 

[border_reiver]

Re: Is it possible to switch bolts????

Not the best practice to try willy-nilly. Advice would be ensure both bolts work safely by checking w/headspace gages..

 

[Wild_Bill]

Re: Is it possible to switch bolts????

i have a LAwton 7500 and have a Mag and 308 bolt for it i swap bolts and barrels att he range to switch between 4 calibres and the zero at 300 yards is within 1 1/2 MOA in windage and elevation between the 4 barrels and 2 bolts so yes you can wsap bolts but they have to be fitted and headspaced to the action and barrel also you have to Pin the recoil lug to make it easier to switch the barrels.

but the standard dimensions on a rem 30-06 bolt and long action mag bolt are the same in fit and function the only diference is the boltface.

If you have the mag action look at the 7mm Rem SAUM kills the 284 in balistics and will work in the action. or just sell that action and buy a 30-06 sized action it will cost you less in the long run that trying to buy more parts for the rem mag action to make it a 30-06

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Is it possible to switch bolts????

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: __JR__</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Not the best practice to try willy-nilly. Advice would be ensure both bolts work safely by checking w/headspace gages. </div></div>

...Absolutely!

The bolts I used were both from 'identical' factory rifles and had been tested previously for accuracy and pressure issues. If you are familiar with Savage rifles, you understand that their bolt heads are removable and intended to be interchangeable.

 

[Rifle Barrel Blanks]

Re: Is it possible to switch bolts????

I am not going to be doing a lot of bolt switching. It would be a one time deal where I would get a new bolt and then put it into a barreled action getting set up for a different caliber.

 

[STR]

Re: Is it possible to switch bolts????

jcvibby,
Calibur is correct. PTG is going to be making one piece bolts with the handle being part of the bolt. PTG will make the bolt diameter to any spec you give them so you can tighten up the tolerances in your rifle. The one piece bolt will be stronger and eliminate welding. If you don't want to change the bolt, because you find a factory one for nothing, you don't have to. Your smith can true your action and factory bolt with very good results. There are many tack drivers out there where the factory bolt was used. Any of the well known smiths here can do that work for you. Good luck with your project.

 

[bohem]

Re: Is it possible to switch bolts????

STR- The RH bolts available now are long action mag face or short action std face. Dave hasn't made any long action STD face bolts yet. JC's also shooting a LH rifle. He's in the same boat as me, I'm waiting on Dave to get around to making the lefty bolts, my name is at the top of the list for a long action std bolt face in lefty.

 

[STR]

Re: Is it possible to switch bolts????

I haven't had a request for a LH LA standard bolt face yet, but I did just finish a build on a 30-06 RH LA using a PTG bolt. I figured if he has them RH, he also had them LH. I have also built quite a few WSMs on right hand SA bolts and two leftys. I'm not arguing, just want to know what you mean. I feel I'm missing something in your message.

Thank You Sir

 

[STR]

Re: Is it possible to switch bolts????

By the way, I am talking about the two piece bolts, not the new one piece bolts, which I'm also still waiting on. Maybe that's what I misunderstood after I thought about it.

Thx

 

[bohem]

Re: Is it possible to switch bolts????

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: STR</div><div class="ubbcode-body">By the way, I am talking about the two piece bolts, not the new one piece bolts, which I'm also still waiting on. Maybe that's what I misunderstood after I thought about it.

Thx </div></div>

Yep, that's what I was talking about. I have one 1piece RH mag face LA bolt. Herre's the review I did on it, the reamer ought to be done sometime in the next 10 days or so.

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthre...407#Post1888407

 

[GunjunkieM24]

Re: Is it possible to switch bolts????

As stated above,

It is not going to matter IF you are rechambering the rifle. Just get a replacement bolt and send it with the rifle for your smith to use while doing the barrel / caliber change. He can make any adjustments needed to fit the bolt.