Yes.

No. Sierra 55 gr. Spitzer, 21.5 gr. IMR4198, that's 1/2 grain below Sierra's listed max load for this bullet.

Nothing, I simply opened the bolt with my hand normally.

Remington.

Out of the box Model 700 VS .223. In the interests of full disclosure I did swap out the factory trigger for a Jewell. That may have weakened the bolt handle.

No, that's part of the terrycloth towel.

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/5548128/1

Here's another thread about the first one falling off of a different Model 700 back in 2005.

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/473366/1

Gunnery, gunnery, gunnery.
Hit the target, all else is twaddle!