Bolt opening during carry on Weatherby 307

[CapeStalker]

I carry my rifle muzzle-up and on two occasions I’ve heard the bolt slide open while walking. I’m using a Weatherby 307 (Remington 700 footprint), and as far as I can tell there’s no bolt lock feature.
When this has happened, the round that was previously chambered has dropped out, and in long grass I haven’t been able to find it.
It seems like the bolt must be getting knocked or nudged open while I’m carrying it, but I’m not sure how. Is this something others have experienced?
Also, is there any practical way to have a bolt lock fitted by a gunsmith, or is that not really a thing on this type of action?
Any advice appreciated.

 

[Leec6.5]

I carry my rifle muzzle-up and on two occasions I’ve heard the bolt slide open while walking. I’m using a Weatherby 307 (Remington 700 footprint), and as far as I can tell there’s no bolt lock feature.
When this has happened, the round that was previously chambered has dropped out, and in long grass I haven’t been able to find it.
It seems like the bolt must be getting knocked or nudged open while I’m carrying it, but I’m not sure how. Is this something others have experienced?
Also, is there any practical way to have a bolt lock fitted by a gunsmith, or is that not really a thing on this type of action?
Any advice appreciated.

Does the safety not lock the bolt when engaged?

Been a long time since I’ve shot a Remington.

Or

Stalk in to a suitable distance and then then slip one up the spout

 

[CapeStalker]

Does the safety not lock the bolt when engaged?

Been a long time since I’ve shot a Remington.

Or

Stalk in to a suitable distance and then then slip one up the spout

It has a 2 position Triggertech trigger on it so no option to lock with that unfortunately. Not chambering is an option I guess or start to carry muzzle down maybe?

 

[Tim.243]

I carry my rifle muzzle-up and on two occasions I’ve heard the bolt slide open while walking. I’m using a Weatherby 307 (Remington 700 footprint), and as far as I can tell there’s no bolt lock feature.
When this has happened, the round that was previously chambered has dropped out, and in long grass I haven’t been able to find it.
It seems like the bolt must be getting knocked or nudged open while I’m carrying it, but I’m not sure how. Is this something others have experienced?
Also, is there any practical way to have a bolt lock fitted by a gunsmith, or is that not really a thing on this type of action?
Any advice appreciated.

there are 4 ways the rifle can be configured example I have a rh rifle used and carried on my left shoulder muzzle down as you just say it is muzzle up.

 

[Smellydog]

Elastic band.

 

[HonestJohn]

US rifles have for a long time been made with non locking bolts due to historical lawsuits from accidents where it was required to open the bolt whilst on ‘live’ to unchamber a round. I believe it stems from early Remington 721 and 722 and some 700 rifles where the trigger would let a round go off when the safety was moved from safe to ‘live’. I personally had this on a Remington 722, and it was not a pleasant experience.

That said, I won’t use a rifle that does not lock the bolt, so I avoid US made rifles / actions. And I also prefer 3 position safeties mounted on bolt shrouds where possible, so the sear engagement is actually separated, rather than just a safety arm blockage.

As how to fix your problem, get a 3 position safety fitted with a trigger unit locking the bolt @WeatherbyUK should be able to advise on the best components and hopefully able to assist you in this pursuit, one would hope

 

[CapeStalker]

US rifles have for a long time been made with non locking bolts due to historical lawsuits from accidents where it was required to open the bolt whilst on ‘live’ to unchamber a round. I believe it stems from early Remington 721 and 722 and some 700 rifles where the trigger would let a round go off when the safety was moved from safe to ‘live’. I personally had this on a Remington 722, and it was not a pleasant experience.

That said, I won’t use a rifle that does not lock the bolt, so I avoid US made rifles / actions. And I also prefer 3 position safeties mounted on bolt shrouds where possible, so the sear engagement is actually separated, rather than just a safety arm blockage.

As how to fix your problem, get a 3 position safety fitted with a trigger unit locking the bolt @WeatherbyUK should be able to advise on the best components and hopefully able to assist you in this pursuit, one would hope

Helpful!! Thank you... I will definitely try this

 

[Tim.243]

Helpful!! Thank you... I will definitely try this

My Bog standard Rem 700's in SA & LA are carried muzzle down with the quake claw slings set up for that, I have been carrying the same .22lr muzzle down since 1975 as it was not screw cut then so shorter (so was I) with that and the Rem's carried that way never have there bolts come out/back.
Rough shooting I carry the gun broken (loaded) over the crook of my arm as it is safe, you get a bit sharp learning to close it and put a bead on a rabbit the dog has flushed for the hedge.

 

[Smellydog]

I think some rugers have three position safeties.

 

[Leec6.5]

I think some rugers have three position safeties.

Yes, they do. The M77 Mark two has a three position safety forward his live middle is safe. Lift the bolt back is safe and lock bolt.

 

[GWP]

Howas have a three position bolt safe locked safe but can be opened and fire sako 75 has a small catch that can be pressed to unload without taking it off safe

 

[Heym SR20]

The safety on such a rifle only blocks the trigger mechanism. It will just the sear stopping the firing pin from falling. There is nothing actually blocking the firing pin.

Thus I would suggest carrying the rifle with a round chambered and over your shoulder as a matter of course is really just a disaster waiting to happen.

Chamber a round when you are about to take shot and the rifle is in your hands and under control.

I learnt this hard way when i had a rifle slung on my shoulder and some how the safety moved off and trigger got snagged by my clothing. Feck knows where that bullet went as the barrel was pointing in the air. Fortunately I was in a remote area and nearest dwellings were a few miles away.

 

[CapeStalker]

The safety on such a rifle only blocks the trigger mechanism. It will just the sear stopping the firing pin from falling. There is nothing actually blocking the firing pin.

Thus I would suggest carrying the rifle with a round chambered and over your shoulder as a matter of course is really just a disaster waiting to happen.

Chamber a round when you are about to take shot and the rifle is in your hands and under control.

I learnt this hard way when i had a rifle slung on my shoulder and some how the safety moved off and trigger got snagged by my clothing. Feck knows where that bullet went as the barrel was pointing in the air. Fortunately I was in a remote area and nearest dwellings were a few miles away.

Sound advice!

 

[Stevie/P]

Happened to me Bergara B14 carrying a right handed rifle on the left shoulder. I now have sako and tikka bolt locks still carry on left shoulder although I’m right handed.
Barrel up

 

[muddy42]

With most rifles its impossible to open the bolt when the safety catch is on and a decent gunsmith would retrofit such a safety catch for you.

 

[Scarpa]

Yup, it's definitely worth researching and experimenting with ways in which your particular rifle can be knocked or snagged. One of the things which affected my choice of a Sauer 101 was the fact that the safety locks the firing pin plus the safety catch has a small button on the back which needs to be depressed as you slide it forward. It makes it very difficult to accidentally knock it off. Plus you can eject cartridges with the safety on.

 

[HonestJohn]

Nothing beats the Brno ZG47, not only does the safety remove the sears from each other, but it also engages with a small cutout in the actual firing pin body. There is no way that rifle will fire until the safety is set to live

 

[Smellydog]

The safety on such a rifle only blocks the trigger mechanism. It will just the sear stopping the firing pin from falling. There is nothing actually blocking the firing pin.

Thus I would suggest carrying the rifle with a round chambered and over your shoulder as a matter of course is really just a disaster waiting to happen.

Chamber a round when you are about to take shot and the rifle is in your hands and under control.

I learnt this hard way when i had a rifle slung on my shoulder and some how the safety moved off and trigger got snagged by my clothing. Feck knows where that bullet went as the barrel was pointing in the air. Fortunately I was in a remote area and nearest dwellings were a few miles away.

Not so sure. Some safety mechanisms so block the firing pin.

 

[HonestJohn]

Not so sure. Some safety mechanisms so block the firing pin.
View attachment 477790

In a rifle trigger, the safety is generally a mechanical arm block that stops the blade from being moved backwards. The ones that stop the bolt from being opened on safe have an extension that moves upwards into a slot in the bolt body. A small notch in the bolt body makes room for this upper arm extension, but it still does not engage with the firing pin

 

[Smellydog]

In a rifle trigger, the safety is generally a mechanical arm block that stops the blade from being moved backwards. The ones that stop the bolt from being opened on safe have an extension that moves upwards into a slot in the bolt body. A small notch in the bolt body makes room for this upper arm extension, but it still does not engage with the firing pin

Yes, I know thanks.

Mauser 98, Winchester 70 and Rugers block the firing pin as well.
Someone said rifles just block the sears or something akin. Well he was wrong, some rifles do block the firing pin. Usually via a cam action lifting the firing pin off the sear.