Rem 5R 223 bolt difficulty

[Smithcollector]

The bolt on my new 5R closes fairly smoothly and easily without a cartridge, but neither my handloads nor factory ammunition works well; it takes more force to close the bolt than I'd expect. I don't think it's a headspace issue, since (1) factory ammo is just as bad and (2) I'm using fairly new Remington brass for handloads.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[harrisjl]

Re: Rem 5R 223 bolt difficulty

Is it doing any damage to the brass when you close it?

When I first got my 700 in 223, the extractor would pretty much crush the rim of the brass (and yes you could feel the resistance, I even had remington ship me another one and it did the same. In the end I filed it down to solve the issue.

 

[Austan]

Re: Rem 5R 223 bolt difficulty

It could still be a headspace issue. It wouldn't be the first time that happened with big green. How does the fired brass measure to the unfired? Can you put a round into the bolt and then chamber it. You will have to press a finger against the cartridge as you chamber it to keep it from trying to eject the round. This will help you determine if the headspace is too tight or if something else is up. Do this in a safe area, like at the range, pointed toward the berm. It should chamber and the bolt should close the same as when no round is in there other than the slight resistance of the round pressing to the right side of the chamber as the ejector pulls it that way. If it is still hard to close, you may well have a headspace problem. It may just be as JLharris mentions, the extractor mat be having a hard time getting over the case rim.

 

[bribri]

Re: Rem 5R 223 bolt difficulty

I had the same problem with a new sps tactical in .223 and it went back to remington to get fixed and came back doing the same thing. Then they replaced it but the new one did the exact same thing then I took it back and got a SPS Varmint in .204 this ones a keeper.

This only took about 2 months time.

 

[SScott]

Re: Rem 5R 223 bolt difficulty

You might try cutting a piece of spent brass in half and cycling it. That will help determine if it is a head space issues. Just a thought.
SScott

 

[Chickeneye]

Re: Rem 5R 223 bolt difficulty

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JLharris</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Is it doing any damage to the brass when you close it?

When I first got my 700 in 223, the extractor would pretty much crush the rim of the brass (and yes you could feel the resistance, I even had remington ship me another one and it did the same. In the end I filed it down to solve the issue. </div></div>
this seems to be a fairly common issue, and i suspect this is the same problem you are having. i got lucky and mine doesnt do this. but my gun does scratch my brass quite badly.

remington has some serious quality control issues.

 

[Smithcollector]

Re: Rem 5R 223 bolt difficulty

Today I cranked my Redding body die down and pushed the shoulder on 2 cases back to 1.525 and seated the bullets - bolt closes just as tight as before. I then trimmed these cases back to 1.70 and tried again - same problem

Wonder if I should send the rifle to Rem or just get someone else to fix it along with cleaning up the action?

 

[DAVETOOLEY]

Re: Rem 5R 223 bolt difficulty

This may not be the problem but it pops up from time to time. The chamber has a radius of a specific size between the shoulder and the neck. The brass has a larger radius to help in manufacuring. I have seen on more than one occasion an interference fit where they intersect. See if you're getting a ring around the juncton of the neck and shoulder.
Also as has been said it could be the extractor. They have to climb/slice over the rim as you close the bolt. I take a Cratex wheel on a Dremel tool and polish all of mine. helps quite a bit.

 

[Netz]

Re: Rem 5R 223 bolt difficulty

Check the ejector pin to see if it is binding.
Curt

 

[Hateca]

Re: Rem 5R 223 bolt difficulty

99% of the time when you encounter this issue in the .223's it's the extractor. The claw is a little too long. Not sure if this is a supplier spec problem or if Remington is just not cutting the extractor grove deep enough. Order a new extractor. File down the edge of the extractor claw before you install it and you will be good to go. Remember it don't take much. Practice on the one you take out but don't use an extractor you have removed.


The extractor has some spring to it to allow the extractor to compress and the claw to snap over the case rim. Problem is the claw is too big and once the extractor is compressed in the extractor grove it takes some force to cam over the case rim.

 

[dontstrokeme]

Re: Rem 5R 223 bolt difficulty

Sounds like an increadibly good reason to go 223AI!!!


My 270WSM was the same way, sent it to Rem and they finish reamed it, it was short chambered....but they f'd up and test fired it before cleaning it....galled the lugs and sent it back again and they just knocked the top off and re-blued it. Finally got it cleaned up when I had it trued.

It might be worth it to have a local gunsmith do it or just send it to a SH gunsmith.

But if it was me and you suspect a short chamber then that would be the best reason ever to go to 223AI....anybody correct me if I am wrong....I did see that he handloads so a new set od Lee dies would be $30 shipped.

 

[Hateca]

Re: Rem 5R 223 bolt difficulty

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dontstrokeme</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sounds like an increadibly good reason to go 223AI!!!


My 270WSM was the same way, sent it to Rem and they finish reamed it, it was short chambered....but they f'd up and test fired it before cleaning it....galled the lugs and sent it back again and they just knocked the top off and re-blued it. Finally got it cleaned up when I had it trued.

It might be worth it to have a local gunsmith do it or just send it to a SH gunsmith.

But if it was me and you suspect a short chamber then that would be the best reason ever to go to 223AI....anybody correct me if I am wrong....I did see that he handloads so a new set od Lee dies would be $30 shipped. </div></div>

It's not a good reason if he hasn't check the simpler causes like I just mentioned above. Trust me I've seen more then one .223 with this same issue. Fixing a $4.00 part as opposed to spending the buck to push out to AI in a factory barrel. Not cost affective in my mind.

 

[dontstrokeme]

Re: Rem 5R 223 bolt difficulty

I know...but I would use any excuse....I am ok with the extra cost but if I told my wife that my new rifle was buggered and had to have $75 of work to it then I might even get a little sympathy sex!

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: Rem 5R 223 bolt difficulty

I bought an SPS tactical 223 new. I tried chambering both full resized brass and new factory ammo. Almost had to beat the bolt over. I took a look at the cahmber with my bore scope. It was truly a POS! It was crooked, had a big chunk missing at the shoulder neck junction and looked like it had been chambered with a file and dremel tool. Sent it back and they "fixed" it. It is not a 1 in 9 twist either. Won't stabilize anything over 60 grains. Best group with 69 gr SMK was 4" and the best group with 75 gr Amax is 5 1/2". It will be rebarreled with a Brux 1 in 8 and chambered in 223AI soon.

 

[Hateca]

Re: Rem 5R 223 bolt difficulty

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: shoot4fun</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I bought an SPS tactical 223 new. I tried chambering both full resized brass and new factory ammo. Almost had to beat the bolt over. I took a look at the cahmber with my bore scope. It was truly a POS! It was crooked, had a big chunk missing at the shoulder neck junction and looked like it had been chambered with a file and dremel tool. Sent it back and they "fixed" it. It is not a 1 in 9 twist either. Won't stabilize anything over 60 grains. Best group with 69 gr SMK was 4" and the best group with 75 gr Amax is 5 1/2". It will be rebarreled with a Brux 1 in 8 and chambered in 223AI soon. </div></div>

All Remington chambers are crooked, and there’re not cut either.

 

[Smithcollector]

Re: Rem 5R 223 bolt difficulty

Replacement extractor ordered. I guess the little shavings of brass in the end of the bolt should have tipped me off.

Thanks for help

 

[Hateca]

Re: Rem 5R 223 bolt difficulty

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Smithcollector</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Replacement extractor ordered. I guess the little shavings of brass in the end of the bolt should have tipped me off.

Thanks for help </div></div>

Since you already have a new one coming if you have a steady hand you can use a Dremal or Motor tool with a small carbide tip and you can even take the extractor claw down while it's still in the bolt. This way you can test it. If you try this be carful of the bolt face.

 

[Smithcollector]

Re: Rem 5R 223 bolt difficulty

HateCA, is the objective to round the edges of the "blade" of the extractor or to make the "blade" narrower, so that it doesn't grab as much rim?

 

[MJC]

Re: Rem 5R 223 bolt difficulty

Have you checked the ejector to see if will go below flush with the bolt face?

 

[MJC]

Re: Rem 5R 223 bolt difficulty

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JLharris</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Is it doing any damage to the brass when you close it?

When I first got my 700 in 223, the extractor would pretty much crush the rim of the brass (and yes you could feel the resistance, I even had remington ship me another one and it did the same. In the end I filed it down to solve the issue. </div></div>

You filed the extractor or the EJECTOR plunger? I don't see how an extractor could crush the case rim.