Rem 700 ADL Varminter bolt hard to chamber

Marquezj16 · June 12, 2011, 01:55 PM

I have a Rem 700 in .223. When chambering a round, the bolt is really hard to lock down and it shaves the rim of the case. With the chamber empty the bolt engages easy enough. This happens with all ammo I have used. Anybody run into the same problem? What is your solution/suggestion?

603Country · June 12, 2011, 02:13 PM

If I had a rifle that would not easily chamber a factory loaded round in the proper caliber, I would take it back to where I bought it or take it to the closest gunsmith. I sure would not shoot it until it had been checked out.

Eagle0711 · June 12, 2011, 07:49 PM

Sounds like the headspace is too tight. If it's a new gun I'd call customer service, or if not take it to a gunsmith. It would be an easy fix.

Marquezj16 · June 12, 2011, 08:03 PM

Thanks for the info. Looks like it's gonna take a trip to the local gunsmith.

DnPRK · June 12, 2011, 08:54 PM

Does the extractor in the bolt snap easily over the cartridge rim? If not, you might have dirt under the extractor.

roklok · June 12, 2011, 09:18 PM

Remington 700s use a plunger ejector, it may be that the headspace is correct, but the plunger is too long, and is not able to push in flush with the bolt face. I had a Ruger 77 with this problem, removed ejector, shortened it slightly, problem solved.

The brass that is being shaved off the case....is it in a semi circular area where the headstamp is ?

If you remove the bolt and secure it, you should be able to push the plunger ejector slightly below the face of the bolt with a punch. If the ejector will not retract below the bolt face, that is likely your problem.

Marquezj16 · June 12, 2011, 10:23 PM

Everything is clean and the small brass shaving is comming off the outside of the rim not where the manufacture stamp is. The bolt feeds the case easy enough, but to turn the bolt down takes a little bit more effort. It shoots just fine and ejects the brass strongly.

June 12, 2011, 01:55 PM	#1
Marquezj16 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2011 Posts: 2,088	Rem 700 ADL Varminter bolt hard to chamber I have a Rem 700 in .223. When chambering a round, the bolt is really hard to lock down and it shaves the rim of the case. With the chamber empty the bolt engages easy enough. This happens with all ammo I have used. Anybody run into the same problem? What is your solution/suggestion?

June 12, 2011, 02:13 PM	#2
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,998	If I had a rifle that would not easily chamber a factory loaded round in the proper caliber, I would take it back to where I bought it or take it to the closest gunsmith. I sure would not shoot it until it had been checked out.

June 12, 2011, 07:49 PM	#3
Eagle0711 Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2010 Posts: 782	Sounds like the headspace is too tight. If it's a new gun I'd call customer service, or if not take it to a gunsmith. It would be an easy fix.

June 12, 2011, 08:03 PM	#4
Marquezj16 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2011 Posts: 2,088	Thanks for the info. Looks like it's gonna take a trip to the local gunsmith.

June 12, 2011, 08:54 PM	#5
DnPRK Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2001 Location: LC, Ca Posts: 1,917	Does the extractor in the bolt snap easily over the cartridge rim? If not, you might have dirt under the extractor.

June 12, 2011, 09:18 PM	#6
roklok Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2008 Location: Fort Yukon, Alaska Posts: 735	Remington 700s use a plunger ejector, it may be that the headspace is correct, but the plunger is too long, and is not able to push in flush with the bolt face. I had a Ruger 77 with this problem, removed ejector, shortened it slightly, problem solved. The brass that is being shaved off the case....is it in a semi circular area where the headstamp is ? If you remove the bolt and secure it, you should be able to push the plunger ejector slightly below the face of the bolt with a punch. If the ejector will not retract below the bolt face, that is likely your problem.

June 12, 2011, 10:23 PM	#7
Marquezj16 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2011 Posts: 2,088	Everything is clean and the small brass shaving is comming off the outside of the rim not where the manufacture stamp is. The bolt feeds the case easy enough, but to turn the bolt down takes a little bit more effort. It shoots just fine and ejects the brass strongly.