Problem w/ Winchester Model 70

[coletrane811]

Well, this was my Grandfather's gun. It's a model 70 22-250. It hasn't been shot it 15+ years. I can't get the bolt to open. The bolt handle moves up and down like it wants to, but it won't open completely. It looks like there is some rust between the bolt and part that shows when the gun is cocked. The safety is in the fire position and won't move out of that position. It's seriously almost like I'm not hitting a button or something, but I don't think I'm missing anything. Unfortunately, I don't have my camera right now, so I can't take any pics.

Anyone have any advice?????

INGOer in need

 

[fireball168]

If you are sure it is unloaded, apply rearward pressure to the trigger while you are raising the bolt.

Potentially, you could have a severely warped stock binding the action - loosen up the action screws and see what happens - better yet, pull the barreled action out of the stock and inspect the trigger, sear and related springs.

Don't force anything - if nothing else get some penetrating oil and soak the shroud/safety lever/cocking piece for a couple of days while working it periodically - with the barreled action out of the stock.


Just reread this - how far "open" is it going, far enough to see into the chamber?

 

[coletrane811]

If you are sure it is unloaded, apply rearward pressure to the trigger while you are raising the bolt.

Potentially, you could have a severely warped stock binding the action - loosen up the action screws and see what happens - better yet, pull the barreled action out of the stock and inspect the trigger, sear and related springs.

Don't force anything - if nothing else get some penetrating oil and soak the shroud/safety lever/cocking piece for a couple of days while working it periodically - with the barreled action out of the stock.


Just reread this - how far "open" is it going, far enough to see into the chamber?

No, you cannot see the chamber. I can remove the stock no problem, so I don't think the problem is a warped stock.

The bolt will move approximately 1/8 of a turn or so.

 

[fireball168]

The bolt will move approximately 1/8 of a turn or so.

With the bolt open as far as it goes:

Does the gap between the rear receiver bridge look like this (a nickel won't fit):

Or this (you could fit two, almost three nickels):

How far is the cocking piece protruding from the back of the shroud?

(In the fired position, it will be about .150" recessed, in the fully cocked position about .200" protruding - in the "half cock" where I suspect you are stuck it should be about even with the bolt as far as you can move it upwards.

 

[coletrane811]

It's in the fired position and the space is like the first pic. A nickle would NOT fit.

 

[fireball168]

Ok - with the action out of the stock - pull the trigger, you should then be able to push up on the front of the sear, allowing the cocking piece on the bolt to override it. You'll need another hand to try to open the bolt while you're pushing up on the sear. There's quite a bit of spring pressure, it won't feel good on your thumb. It'll look like this:

If that isn't working and you're comfortable doing so - knock the bolt release pin out of it, note the position of the spring. That will allow the removal of the trigger. This picture shows the spring and the pin, you'll be driving it out from the other side of the receiver.

Once the trigger is out, you can just push on the sear by the spring in the front so it will drop, allowing the cocking piece to override and pull the bolt out. If it won't move - there's your problem, drive the other pin out (the big one) and it'll drop right out.

Otherwise, do you know how to disassemble the bolt once its out?

 

[coletrane811]

Still can;t get it out, but what do you mean by

"If it won't move - there's your problem, drive the other pin out (the big one) and it'll drop right out"

 

[coletrane811]

I can't get the bolt lever up high enough to clear the receiver, therefore the bolt can't come out. Make sense?

 

[fireball168]

I can't get the bolt lever up high enough to clear the receiver, therefore the bolt can't come out. Make sense?

You've got the bolt stop, trigger and sear removed and it still won't open?

 

[coletrane811]

You've got the bolt stop, trigger and sear removed and it still won't open?

I'm not sure how to remove the sear.

 

[dice dealer]

Take it to a gun smith before you mess up a nice old gun

 

[fireball168]

I'm not sure how to remove the sear.

If it won't move - there's your problem, drive the other pin out (the big one) and it'll drop right out.

There's only one pin left, its the one with the "big head" on the right side of the receiver. Drive it out from the left.

 

[coletrane811]

Got the Sear out and still no luck. Did you get what I meant when I said the lever won't clear the receiver? The bolt won't twist but about a 1/8 of a turn.

 

[kup]

Remove the scope base screws if they are installed. I bought a broken M70 where the bolt wouldn't close , one of the front scope base screws was too long.

kup

 

[coletrane811]

Remove the scope base screws if they are installed. I bought a broken M70 where the bolt wouldn't close , one of the front scope base screws was too long.

kup

Tried that, no luck.

 

[fireball168]

In the bolt shroud, there is a locking detent that protrudes with the safety lever in the safe position - it engages a recess in the bolt body.

If that were to rust/freeze up it would allow a total of about 3/8" travel at the end of the bolt handle.

Just for clarification - here is what the safety lever in FIRE position looks like, the shiny detent mentioned above, and the recess in the bolt it fits into.

Apply penetrating oil liberally to the safety lever, and between the bolt body and shroud, for that matter wherever you can get into the shroud - the detent and the locking pin are located just below the "FIRE" engraving on the shroud. Keep trying to work the safety lever and the bolt. I don't see any way to get any sort of tool in there to free the detent between the bolt body and shroud. Kroil is your friend.

 

[coletrane811]

I just sprayed the crap out of it with Break Free, so hopefully that will help.

I appreciate everyone's input!

Thank you!

Cole

 

[coletrane811]

Well, this didn't work. I can't see the lock coming out to stop the bolt. I might have to just take it to a gunsmith. Anyone have any suggetions?

 

[fireball168]

You can't see the lock even when it is working correctly with the shroud installed.

Mark Penrod is the man for a Model 70.

Mark Penrod (Precision Rifle)
Penrod Precision
312 College Ave
N Manchester, IN 46962
Phone: 260-982-8385
E-mail: markpenrod@kconline.com