Did something stupid and in need of some help (which bolt is which)

[oc shooter]

while cleaning 2 rifles 1 a remington 700 243 varmint and the other a 308 vtr I lost tract of wich bolt went with wich rifle since there essetialy the same and fit both what to do? there are numbers on the bottom of each bolt but they in no way correspond to the serial numbers on the rifles seems as though I'm in a jam

 

[1075tech]

Immediate thing that comes to mind, any way to match wear patterns/marks? Color of bluing?
My 788 bolt is serial# matched to the receiver.

 

[Edwardteach72]

Can you get a go no go gage? Maybe headspacing will let you know

 

[dsdmmat]

Grab a fired case from both of the rifles and see if the bolt will close on them. If One will and one wont you have identified the right bolt if they both close on them you will have to get some go no go gauges.

 

[northny]

On my 700s the number on the bolts are last number of serial numbers.

 

[CarpNY]

CTRL+Z until you get back to before you took out the bolts?



Oh, wait, that doesn't actually work in real life. Would be really cool if it did, though.

 

[Tisto]

On my 700s the number on the bolts are last number of serial numbers.

^^^^^
This.

If that fails, try removing the barreled action from the stock on one of the rifles and look for matching numbers scribed on an unseen location. Somewhere there is a number that matches the number on your bolt.

 

[libertysnake]

When in doubt, just take it to a gunsmith who has the gauges. Worth the money to have someone professionally check.

 

[oc shooter]

got it guys thanks for the help

 

[Tisto]

got it guys thanks for the help

Inquiring minds want to know, how did you figure out which bolt went with which rifle ?

 

[BDinPutnam]

Inquiring minds want to know, how did you figure out which bolt went with which rifle ?

If memory serves, it's "plus ONE" month. Probably brought the neighbor to the range. "Here- shoot this!"

 

[Tisto]

If memory serves, it's "plus ONE" month. Probably brought the neighbor to the range. "Here- shoot this!"

Any time I ask someone I don't like to shoot one of my guns while I'm hiding behind a concrete wall, I get the hairy eyeball from them and they run away.


Very much like when I bring individually wrapped cookies to work with people's names on them - certain people won't eat theirs, no matter how much I assure them that they do not contain poison.

 

[kev74]

Very much like when I bring individually wrapped cookies to work with people's names on them - certain people won't eat theirs, no matter how much I assure them that they do not contain poison.

I might do that at work for Christmas!

 

[BDinPutnam]

I might do that at work for Christmas!

Man, can I get multiple people for secret Santa this year?

 

[oc shooter]

Ok on the bottom of the bolt toward the back by the handle there is a number inscribed with dots that I missed really hard to read once I put some bright led light on it it popped and there it was pretty simple once you figure it