Gunsmithing Rem 700 308 Cal CASE is getting stuck in chamber

stan462

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Full Member
Minuteman
  • Mar 3, 2008
    476
    4
    Las Vegas
    Today during sniper training, one of our sniper's rifle had a problem ejecting his brass. The rifle is 3 years old with less than 500 rds through it. It appears that the case expands after the round is discharged and it is getting somewhat stuck in the chamber. It has no problem feeding live rounds and ejecting the live rounds. I looked in the chamber and could not see anything that would cause this problem. ANy suggestions would be helpful before I end up sending it back to Remington.
     
    Re: Rem 700 308 Cal CASE is getting stuck in chamber

    Did you try different ammo? I have experience with a 7mm rifle that just does not like Hornady brass for some reason. You can shoot Remington or Winchester brass all day, but every one of those Hornady rounds sticks.
     
    Re: Rem 700 308 Cal CASE is getting stuck in chamber

    New or reloads? Sometimes the base gets expanded enough to take a permanent "set" that is just under dimension enough to be full length sized enough to feed, but once fired will stick. I once had a 7mm Rem Mag...1968 or so, that would do okay with one or two firings, then get sticky. A gunsmith found the chamber was just slightly eqq shaped...ran a new reamer in, it cut a little at the base of the chamber, and the problem was solved.
     
    Re: Rem 700 308 Cal CASE is getting stuck in chamber

    The ammo is new Winchester Supreme Match 168 Gr. I checked the extraction and it is fine. It looks like the case is getting stuck into the chamber. Thanks for all the advise.

    Stan
     
    Re: Rem 700 308 Cal CASE is getting stuck in cha

    Is the bolt hard to lift or just hard to pull back? If it is hard to lift, check for gauling on the lugs.

    How much of your extraction angle is hitting where the bolt handle meets the receiver?

    Has it always done this or is this something recent?
     
    Re: Rem 700 308 Cal CASE is getting stuck in cha

    Two things. Make sure the brass shaving that always show up with Remington extractors are removed from the bolt face. This may require a blast of air to get them out from behind the extractor. New ammo requires almost no rim engagement by the extractor where fired brass requires a larger bite. Go out and shoot the rifle until it happens again. Take a cleaning rod and carefully run it down the barrel and see how much pressure it takes to push the case out. This will isolate the problem area. Chamber or bolt?
     
    Re: Rem 700 308 Cal CASE is getting stuck in cha

    It just started during this last shoot. The bolt lifts up easy, but it hard to pull back. How much of your extraction angle is hitting where the bolt handle meets the receiver? Not sure about this?
     
    Re: Rem 700 308 Cal CASE is getting stuck in cha

    Hi Dave,

    A good Idea, however when the rifle is fired the bolt will not pull back. It takes quite an effort to pull it back. Not sure on how to push the casing out from the barrel.. DO you want me to try to lift the bolt handle up and then try pushing the case out from the barrel??

    Again, thanks for all that have replied.
     
    Re: Rem 700 308 Cal CASE is getting stuck in cha

    When the rifle is fired, it takes more effort to rotate the bolt handle up, but the effort to pull the bolt back remains light.

    Use a cleaning rod to push the case out. Does it need to be tapped out? Is it stuck that bad? Might be the ammo. Gave you tried another lot/brand/etc?
     
    Re: Rem 700 308 Cal CASE is getting stuck in cha

    Try raising the bolt until it's to the top, then push on the case with a cleaning rod inserted down the barrel. Don't touch the bolt handle. I have seen cases with a Remington style actions that when the bolt was fully raised with pressure on the bolt handle that the antibind groove in the bolt lug didn't align perfectly in the action.
    I have to ask. Was there a change in ammo? Sometimes even a different lot of the same ammo can have higher pressures. I'm going ramble a bit and throw some things out and I mean no offense to anyone. Could there be a carbon build up in throat? This will raise chamber pressures. I see it more on big boomers but it can happen with all calibers. If you don't have a bore scope try this. With a clean barrel push a snug fitting patch to the muzzle. Pull it back through the barrel. If there is a carbon build up or heat checking in the throat, as you get closer to the chamber it will get harder and harder to pull. If that's the case a good scrubbing with Flitz or JB needs to be done. It also sounds like there is a small amount of what I call manual extraction which you get as the bolt finishes it's rotation on opening. This is what breaks a case loose from the chamber.
    Another question was an aftermarket bolt handle installed?
     
    Re: Rem 700 308 Cal CASE is getting stuck in cha

    I would start by polishing the chamber. Use 600 grit auto sand paper. Cut it down to the size of a patch. Roll it and place it, just like you would a patch, into an eyed cleaning tip. Screw that tip, with the sand paper, onto one length of cleaning rod. Remove the bolt from the weapon. Now using a cordless drill, at high speed, spin the sand paper in the chamber moving to back and forth for 3 to 5 seconds at a time until the chamber has a mirror finish.
    This polishing of the chamber will allow for a smoother extraction.
     
    Re: Rem 700 308 Cal CASE is getting stuck in cha

    Again thanks for all that have responded. The rifle is stock Rem 700 police rifle. It actually belongs to another agency. That sniper has joined our team and we now train together.

    I will try to polish out the chamber and also try pushing out the case with a rod.

    Thanks.
     
    Re: Rem 700 308 Cal CASE is getting stuck in cha

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hugo121175</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would start by polishing the chamber. Use 600 grit auto sand paper. Cut it down to the size of a patch. Roll it and place it, just like you would a patch, into an eyed cleaning tip. Screw that tip, with the sand paper, onto one length of cleaning rod. Remove the bolt from the weapon. Now using a cordless drill, at high speed, spin the sand paper in the chamber moving to back and forth for 3 to 5 seconds at a time until the chamber has a mirror finish.
    This polishing of the chamber will allow for a smoother extraction. </div></div>
    Actually a mirror finish is kind of dangerous.
     
    Re: Rem 700 308 Cal CASE is getting stuck in cha

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: keydiverfla</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hugo121175</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would start by polishing the chamber. Use 600 grit auto sand paper. Cut it down to the size of a patch. Roll it and place it, just like you would a patch, into an eyed cleaning tip. Screw that tip, with the sand paper, onto one length of cleaning rod. Remove the bolt from the weapon. Now using a cordless drill, at high speed, spin the sand paper in the chamber moving to back and forth for 3 to 5 seconds at a time until the chamber has a mirror finish.
    This polishing of the chamber will allow for a smoother extraction. </div></div>
    Actually a mirror finish is kind of dangerous.</div></div>

    600 grit is too fine! The chamber walls grab the case as it expands, limiting rearward pressure.
     
    Re: Rem 700 308 Cal CASE is getting stuck in cha

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: azshooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: keydiverfla</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hugo121175</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would start by polishing the chamber. Use 600 grit auto sand paper. Cut it down to the size of a patch. Roll it and place it, just like you would a patch, into an eyed cleaning tip. Screw that tip, with the sand paper, onto one length of cleaning rod. Remove the bolt from the weapon. Now using a cordless drill, at high speed, spin the sand paper in the chamber moving to back and forth for 3 to 5 seconds at a time until the chamber has a mirror finish.
    This polishing of the chamber will allow for a smoother extraction. </div></div>
    Actually a mirror finish is kind of dangerous.</div></div>

    600 grit is too fine! The chamber walls grab the case as it expands, limiting rearward pressure.

    </div></div>

    yep. i wouldn't go any finer than a couple passes with 400 grit and wd40. you don't want a mirror finish as you want the case to grab the chamber while firing, not slam the full force against the bolt face.

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mica</div><div class="ubbcode-body">try duesching every thing down with some gun oil. </div></div>

    i'd keep the chamber clean and dry. definatly not oily.


    on a side note, i am wondering if it is a good idea to be messing with an agency rifle at all if you are not an armorer. that's your call though.
     
    Re: Rem 700 308 Cal CASE is getting stuck in cha

    The mirror finish will only last for the first firing, or maybe 3 to 5 rounds. Then when you clean your weapon the mirror will no longer be mirror. I go this route to insure an even polish, and that all any condition that had been causing the bad extraction is no long present. I also use this fine of paper to insure that I am not scoring the chamber, instead of polishing it.