Rem 700 light primer strikes

[WSMDRT]

Failure to fire, light primer strikes...is the fiting pin and spring only culprit?

Long Action B prefix, original pin and spring as far as I can tell.

 

[Old Rooster]

Factory ammo or reloads?
If reloads did you measure the cartridge base to neck datum?If the case is set back too far the loaded round will sit too far forward to get a good primer strike.
If that is not it just take the firing spring and firing pin out and look for crud in the bolt that could stop the firing pin travel.I have found old grease in the bolt that caused that problem.

 

[Old Rooster]

Here is a tool for that job.I used to have one but loaned it to a friend and never got it back.This tool allows you take the spring and firing pin out but you will need another tool to get the spring off the firing pin assembly.

 

[WSMDRT]

They are reloads but had been working fine until now. Just started out of the blue. I have always use a sharp edge and dime method. I will remove and check for...crud. Then go from there.

 

[Old Rooster]

I used to carry a little tool box of tools for rem 700 as I had 7 at the time.It is amazing how fast trouble can happen.
If you have to change the firing pin spring get the heaver one as it will last longer.I have disassembled bolts on one of my rifles and one on a friend on a hunt in North Louisiana.Crud in the bolt housing keeping the firing pin spring from fully extend.

 

[Rick Richard]

In my opinion if the case setback is correct, it would be the spring. I blew a primer once which caused damage to the spring where it would not strike the primer with sufficient force to ignite.

 

[cahunter805]

They are reloads but had been working fine until now. Just started out of the blue. I have always use a sharp edge and dime method. I will remove and check for...crud. Then go from there.

Be sure to scrub the inside of the bolt body clean also. Probably just some dirt/crud built up.

 

[Orange Dust]

You can remove the firing pin on a remington with a vise and a piece of nylon cord (Trotline staging). Put the bolt in a vise. Tie the srting in a loop about a foot long. Put one end in the notch and gently pull the firing pin back while unscrewing the shroud. Very easy and you don't have to buy any special tool if you have a way to hold the bolt like a vise. Changing the spring is a bigger deal, but I'll bet all of it just needs cleaning.

 

[Frenchie1]

Once you find the remedy, as far as the spring is concerned, make sure to not leave the/any gun cocked as this only weakens the firing pin spring over time.

 

[Parkerized]

Once you find the remedy, as far as the spring is concerned, make sure to not leave the/any gun cocked as this only weakens the firing pin spring over time.

See also; old wives tail.

 

[Casimirblue]

Check the pin fall. I forget the spec.(.250" or so ) This usually only happens with a trigger change but????

 

[XLR Industries]

Which primer are you using and what is the firing pin protrusion when it is in the fired position? The minimum protrusion should be .050. Try dry firing the rifle and see if the cocking piece falls quickly or if it is a slow movement. Have you had any pierced primers lately that would cause your trigger to go down?

 

[Frenchie1]

See also; old wives tail.

I will agree to disagree on that as it each person's decision on how to take care of their own firearms. All I can say is that I spent a lot of time with an great old gunsmith that did great work and that was his advice many, many years ago and it makes sense to me.

 

[WSMDRT]

I appreciate all the tips!