When shooting my r700, my bolt is easy to lift, but it is really difficult to pull back. I have a semi saami spec chamber, so could it be my brass? I reload using S&B 6.5 creedmoor brass.
Probably primary extraction problem. Common problem with newer Remington 700. This happens if the bolt handle is soldered in the incorrect position from the factory.
The two things I would look for is proper headspace and full length sizing. A Whidden Gunworks case guage will show you if your brass is at headspace length. If not, it can be used to adjust your full length sizer die for proper headspace. I have my sizer die adjusted to size my brass -0.003" from headspace. After it's fired it will measure +0.002" longer than headspace. The guage is marked with SAMMI headspace and several thousands +/- from headspace. Also, I always measure the first couple of brass with the case guage after resizing to check and make sure the die is exactly where it needs to be.
Having said all that, I've had problems similar to yours before I started using the case guage. The case guage solved it.
Very interesting, i have a wilson die, but i suppose it isnt doing the job. Im not exactly sure how to find the perfect 0.000" for the headspace length. Id like to do that in order to find the + or - 0.001",0.002", and 0.003" distances
In my quest to find the proper headspace, I found any sizing length less than -0.003" from headspace length usually resulted in hard case extraction. That's for 6.5 Creedmoor brass. You'll notice from my post that the difference before firing and after is 0.005". The Whidden case guage will measure your brass from the datum line to the case head. The measurements, in thousandths, are etched onto the guage. It's a very simple tool to use.
The firing line during competition is not a good place to wrestle with a hard to open bolt.
Really should know your headspace. Not sure if you are saying you don't know where you want to set your headspace of if you just don't know it at all. You definitely want to headspace atleast 1k. Do you have any times that the bolt doesn't pretty much freely chamber a round?
Could be a lot of things like primary Extraction. I had that as an issue with my R700 7mmrm a while back. Could also be dirty or rough chamber, or not sizing brass enough when reloading.
Maybe high pressure if your match chamber has tighter tolerances than the usual saami spec chamber. Even if you don’t see viable signs of pressure it doesn’t always mean there isn’t any. Try to reduce your current load by 1.5-3 grains and see if it still does it .
@srastello78 that sounds like a good idea. But i usually use 40gr of h4350. Would it seem strange to shoot 38.5 or even 37 grs? My rifle has a 26in barrel and weighs more than 16lbs. I really would like to shoot higher fps, than the average guy buying off the shelf. Maybe change barrels?
Check your primary extraction then. I know when I had a stock R700 I was using my reloads of 68grains imr7828 with 175grain bullets (7mm rm) and was alway getting hard Extractions. I upgraded to a better action and bold and never saw the problem again. I’ve pushed to the 3100fps range, though I used Retumbo to reach that.
Interesting discussion. I headspace my round between the bolt face and chamber shoulder. My bolt closes with some “feel”, meaning mild resistance.
is that the wrong way to do it? I never have extraction problems though.
Watch this video from Wheeler. It explains how you can diagnose the issue without sendingy our action to a gunsmith.
https://youtu.be/4cWnSmTeXWY
Probably primary extraction problem. Common problem with newer Remington 700. This happens if the bolt handle is soldered in the incorrect position from the factory.
The two things I would look for is proper headspace and full length sizing. A Whidden Gunworks case guage will show you if your brass is at headspace length. If not, it can be used to adjust your full length sizer die for proper headspace. I have my sizer die adjusted to size my brass -0.003" from headspace. After it's fired it will measure +0.002" longer than headspace. The guage is marked with SAMMI headspace and several thousands +/- from headspace. Also, I always measure the first couple of brass with the case guage after resizing to check and make sure the die is exactly where it needs to be.
Having said all that, I've had problems similar to yours before I started using the case guage. The case guage solved it.
Could be a lot of things like primary Extraction. I had that as an issue with my R700 7mmrm a while back. Could also be dirty or rough chamber, or not sizing brass enough when reloading.