Gunsmithing unfired Rem 700 .308 not going bang...

[Fred @ Bison Tactical]

All,

I have an unfired .308 Remington 700. When I drop the trigger, it doesn't go bang. I have an almost exactly the same 243. When I drop the trigger on it, the bolt cocking piece - whatever the silver center part is under spring tension - goes forward like 1/2". On the .308, only about 1/4 or 3/8". Essentially, no fireing pin impact on the primer.

The only things done to this rifle were:

1. scope base screws tapped for larger screws
2. Barrel shortened from 26" - > 18"

I have swapped bolts and triggers, and the issue remains with the .308 - ie, doesn't seem to matter if its with a Huber trigger, or .243 bolt.

I will also mention I only attempted to fire this rifle after the above work was done, and I swapped out the trigger for a Huber I had laying around here. When I replace the Huber trigger with the factory trigger, I see the same result on the bolt.

Any ideas what could be the problem?

 

[Fred @ Bison Tactical]

actually, figured it out. essentially the bolt handle wasn't actually turning 100% closed - which was the reason it wasn't firing. The reason it wouldn't close is one of the front replacement bolts for the scope base it a bit too long - and interferes with the bolt as it rotates to closed position.