Replace ancient 700 spring?

[AJ Peacock]

I have a habit of over-thinking things (understatement of the year). I was getting ready to strip the bolt on my 1961 model Rem700 in 7RM (as I do every time I'm preparing for a hunt) for clean and oil ...

I started thinking, the spring has somewhere around 4-5000 rounds on it, with plenty of dry fire with a snap cap also. Plus it's 66 years old. Zero issues and still shoots well (shot about 3/4" yesterday when I was sighting in the new NF).

At minimum I want to buy a backup spring, which is recommended? Wolf? Standard or heavier? Tubb 2 piece ... ?

Also, are there any cheap tools to assist in the replacement operation? I have done it with my normal nylon blocks, a dime ... and a towel just in case it slips!

Thanks for all your input.
AJ

 

[Justice1327]

I switched out over 2 dozen rifles during the last 5 years. The 2 spring system tends to drag on the bolt tube. Did not decrease lock time or the "bolt handle" jump. I think I did a video on that. I recommend getting the EC system or the Gretan system. It is the closest to timing your trigger/action you can get w/o actually having someone do it. Or just replace the spring with a straight 26# spring and call it good.

 

[Varmint Hunter]

Springs definitely get soft/weaker over time and with use. Some benchrest shooters change springs like I change socks.

I've got several Rem semi-custom rifles that I've had for many years. They all had the original firing pin springs and still worked. However, I decided to put some new custom springs in all of the rifles. It was rather surprising to see how short and weak the old springs were compared to the new ones.

 

[AJ Peacock]

Springs definitely get soft/weaker over time and with use. Some benchrest shooters change springs like I change socks.

I've got several Rem semi-custom rifles that I've had for many years. They all had the original firing pin springs and still worked. However, I decided to put some new custom springs in all of the rifles. It was rather surprising to see how short and weak the old springs were compared to the new ones.

Thanks,

I decided to just go with the standard strength 24lb wolf replacements. I have another ancient 700 in .243 winnie I'm going to replace at the same time. Not sure of roundcount of the 243 but it's also an old 700 (5 digit serial number). I keep thinking accuracy will go and I'll rebarrel to 338 Federal, but it keeps hitting where I point it

AJ

 

[jjmp]

FYI, another thing related to the new spring or any in the bolt itself is knowing how to de cock it, Many stay cocked for years and thats not a positive thing . Cheers

 

[AJ Peacock]

FYI, another thing related to the new spring or any in the bolt itself is knowing how to de cock it, Many stay cocked for years and thats not a positive thing . Cheers

Yes, I never store mine cocked.

Thanks,
AJ

 

[Justice1327]

Thanks,

I decided to just go with the standard strength 24lb wolf replacements. I have another ancient 700 in .243 winnie I'm going to replace at the same time. Not sure of roundcount of the 243 but it's also an old 700 (5 digit serial number). I keep thinking accuracy will go and I'll rebarrel to 338 Federal, but it keeps hitting where I point it

AJ

my wife loves her 338 Federal. Great choice.

 

[Mike6158]

Simple to use

Kleinendorst Remington 700 Bolt Disassembly Tool

The Kleinendorst Bolt Disassembly Tool enables the operator to easily disassemble a firearm bolt for routine cleaning and other maintenance. The tool...

www.midwayusa.com

and it looks like they know that more people are doing their own bolt work. eBay is higher. Brownells is about the same.

 

[AJ Peacock]

Simple to use

Kleinendorst Remington 700 Bolt Disassembly Tool

The Kleinendorst Bolt Disassembly Tool enables the operator to easily disassemble a firearm bolt for routine cleaning and other maintenance. The tool...

www.midwayusa.com

and it looks like they know that more people are doing their own bolt work. eBay is higher. Brownells is about the same.

Yeah, breaking down the bolt is the easy part, the spring is the trickier part.

Thanks,
AJ

 

[MagnumManiac]

On my comp rifles, which are mostly CZ, Rem 700 or Granite Mountain, I replace tham every season with CS springs by various manufacturers.
On my hunting rifles, especially those running aftermarket springs, I get them weight tested, if it has dropped, I replace them.
Many don't see this as important, but, just like striker distance, spring weight matters.

Cheers.

 

[Mike6158]

Yeah, breaking down the bolt is the easy part, the spring is the trickier part.

Thanks,
AJ

Erik Cortina sells a pretty good tool for disassembly and assembly of the spring. So does Brownell's and Midway.

 

[Turpentine21]

I switched out over 2 dozen rifles during the last 5 years. The 2 spring system tends to drag on the bolt tube. Did not decrease lock time or the "bolt handle" jump. I think I did a video on that. I recommend getting the EC system or the Gretan system. It is the closest to timing your trigger/action you can get w/o actually having someone do it. Or just replace the spring with a straight 26# spring and call it good.

I put the Gretan system in my 700 308 a few years back. It has none very well.

 

[AJ Peacock]

I got the springs, installed the 700 long action spring, this was more of a challenge than I thought. The pin popped right out, but when I tried to re-install, I realized that there is a correct orientation for the firing pin and shroud to line up the holes perfectly. I guess when this was assembled in 1960, the hole wasn't square (it leaned a little), so when I put the back part on the firing pin, the hole wasn't perfectly in line. After I got it back apart and turned the firing pin 180 degrees, it went right together!

BTW: The diameter of the wire was the same as the original and the original was about .3" shorter after being installed for 66 years. I haven't shot it with the new spring yet, but will report back if it doesn't work as planned.

AJ

 

[Turpentine21]

I got the springs, installed the 700 long action spring, this was more of a challenge than I thought. The pin popped right out, but when I tried to re-install, I realized that there is a correct orientation for the firing pin and shroud to line up the holes perfectly. I guess when this was assembled in 1960, the hole wasn't square (it leaned a little), so when I put the back part on the firing pin, the hole wasn't perfectly in line. After I got it back apart and turned the firing pin 180 degrees, it went right together!

BTW: The diameter of the wire was the same as the original and the original was about .3" shorter after being installed for 66 years. I haven't shot it with the new spring yet, but will report back if it doesn't work as planned.

AJ

One thing I've learned the hard way in many different areas is that most things tend to come apart a lot easier than they go back together. But, with a few things the exact opposite is true.