Remington 788 jaming problem

[Ducke]

I have a Remington 788 chambered for .308. I have never had problems with it at all. I keep it very clean. Today i took it out and shot a round out of it (winchester ammo) and I couldn't pull the bolt back to extract the spent shell. I had to brace the rifle(mag removed) and put my weight into it and it popped open. I figured it might of just been a mess up with that round so i chamber another and fire, same problem, stuck in the chamber.


Any one have any help or suggestions?

Thanks

[5hundo]

What kind of ammo are you shooting?

[bornproud]

You might have a couple problems. Check the chamber, look in it to make sure it's smooth. A rough or pitted chamber will let the brass expand into the crevasses making it hard to extract. The 788 is a rear locking bolt. The bolt can bend and that can make it hard to rotate all the way to unlock it. Do you have problems opening the bolt when it is unloaded?

I used to have a 788 in .243 win. It blew headspace though. Thing about it, it would barley pass the headspace gauge. What happend was the bolt was bent a little and would be in headspace on one side and not in headspace on the other. Always look at you brass after firing to see if there is any stretch marks by the web. I just thought I would through that out there.

[Ducke]

is the chamber clean? oiled? what does the extractor look like?

The chamber is clean and oiled, i wipe the oil off the bore before shotting though.and im still n00b, i wouldnt know how to check to see if the extractor was messed up. I have grown up shooting, but my dad never showed me the mechanics. I have been teaching my self everything from reading manuals, reviews and forums.

[Ducke]

What kind of ammo are you shooting?

i am using Winchester Super X 150gr power-points

[Ducke]

You might have a couple problems. Check the chamber, look in it to make sure it's smooth. A rough or pitted chamber will let the brass expand into the crevasses making it hard to extract. The 788 is a rear locking bolt. The bolt can bend and that can make it hard to rotate all the way to unlock it. Do you have problems opening the bolt when it is unloaded?

I used to have a 788 in .243 win. It blew headspace though. Thing about it, it would barley pass the headspace gauge. What happend was the bolt was bent a little and would be in headspace on one side and not in headspace on the other. Always look at you brass after firing to see if there is any stretch marks by the web. I just thought I would through that out there.

after i left the desert i asked my girlfriend if she saved any of the brass like i asked her and she said she forgot. i do seem to remember the neck looking a little scuffed like it had stretched. the chamber looks smooth besides the neglect my dad gave it(he never really cleaned his guns. I took them all out and went over them with a Q-Tip)there is a little rust in the chamber, and i wouldnt be surprised if it was pitted a little. I have no problem opening the bolt when it is empty, or when a unfired round is in the chamber, its just after a round has been fired.

And headspace, im sure i know what it is, just not the terminology for it*goes and googles*



thank you so much for the info and help though.

[bornproud]

Take it to a gunsmith to get the chamber polished. That will probably solve your problem.

[Ducke]

um, once again, n00b question, but why couldnt i just do it myself?


is it something that takes skill and craft?

[EOD3]

The proper tools would cost more than having the work done.

[Ducke]

are replacement barrels hard to come by? i have looked but seem to have no luck. or would that cost more than the rifle?

[eaglemike]

The chamber is NOT supposed to be oiled when firing. That adds to reward thrust on the bolt.
all the best,
Mike