Just got my M70, classic CRF action, back from a gunsmith who did a number of things to it, one of which was adjusting the trigger to 2lbs.

The rifle is not cocking consistently. In fact, it's closer to consistently not cocking. I suspected it had to do with the trigger and sure enough, if I apply pressure to the rear of the trigger while cocking, it works fine. I removed the receiver from the stock, a McMillan A3, and tested it. I cycled the bolt 15 times and it cocked every single time, no problem. I checked the trigger weight and it was coming in just a few ounces below 2lbs. Couldn't figure it out so re-assembled the rifle and once I torqued the action into place, the problem returned.

Has anyone encountered this problem? What was the solution?

Gunsmith is several states over so would prefer not to have to send it back unless necessary.

Sounds like the trigger sear is adjusted too lite.Do a search on trigger adjustment for Mod 70 CRF.Sounds like a very simple fix.

That's what I thought but found it interesting that it only occurs while in the stock and torqued down. If I take the barreled action out of the stock, the problem goes away.

Perhaps it is flexing a bit when in the stock?

Your action is in a bind.Probably the tang screw is bending the action just enough to cause this.You might need to do a little bedding.

Certainly sounds like it is binding. Had a similar issue occur with a parker shotgun and the cocking mechanism.

Personally I wouldn't jump to bedding just yet.

Ease back on your tang screw and see if the problem goes away. If the rifle is still accurate then let it be. It's definitely the screws that are doing it, just a matter of how much to back off to relieve it.

Is the McMillan stock new or have you used it previously without issue?

I guess I need to send it back or at least speak with the gunsmith. It's a new McMillan stock and was bedded when I sent it to them. It definitely has to do with the screws, I'm just not sure how to fix it. It only stops when I back the screws way off, to the point where they're too loose.

If it is a too tight of a fit, the inletting may be contacting the sear or trigger; front, rear, or side. You may need to do some relieving, i.e. removing some bedding / inletting.

If I remember right,the Mod 70 has three screws.Try tightening the front two and leave the rear tang screw loose and see if it still gives you problems.The middle screw could also be the problem since it's between the recoil lug and the tang.I've had stocks that were inletted too deep in the tang area for the bottom metal.When I would tighten it down it would bind the action a little.I could also tell the bolt was dragging a little in the action.What I had to do to solve this problem was add a small washer between the stock and the bottom metal.I guess the thing to do is back off one screw at a time and figure out which one is the problem and go from there.One more thing I thought of was,make sure the mag box isn't in a bind.

Front action screw very tight, rear action screw tight, middle action screw kinda tight.

Is the trigger hitting the stock anywhere? It may need to be relieved just a little more. I also agree with the others that maybe the action is getting bound up when torquing the action screws. A properly glass bedded action wont exhibit these problems. Beware though, not all bedding jobs are "proper", inducing stress to the action.

Before I messed with anything other than screw tension, I'd PM Redneck. But I hope you tell us what he says and what works, because it seems a good opportunity to learn a thing or two.

There's definitely tension in the wrong place or the stock contacting somewhere it shouldn't but I can't narrow down the exact spot or issue. It's a one piece bottom metal model and it doesn't seem to matter which of the two action screws I tighten first, leave loose, etc. As soon as there is any amount of pressure on the action, it starts.

It wasnt properly glass bedded then. Or the trigger is making contact with the stock. If you've ever had a properly glass bedded model 70, you'd know exactly what im talking about. With mine, i pop the action in the stock and it doesnt take much to torque down the action screws, once they start to get tension on them. I dont know what "gunsmith" you had doing the glass bedding, but it is generally customary to check function afterwards. Good luck with it. I hope you get it figured out.

To find where it is binding or touching I use lipstick or something similar on trigger group and tang area. Put it back in the stock
cycle action and trigger . Then relieve lipstick areas on stock. Something is in a bind or touching would be my guess.

Good suggestion.

Good suggestion.

That is a good idea. I'll give that a shot.

The gunsmithing operation that did the work is a well and widely known shop. I'd rather not name them publicly until they've had a chance to correct the issue, if I can't resolve it myself. It's been a long wait to finish this build so I'm hoping I don't have to send it back.

How it made it out of their shop with this issue is a good question though.

PM coming...

If the difference between working and not working is torquing the action screws, then the stock's gotta be touching something it shouldn't be touching. And I agree on checking the mag box to make sure it's not in a bind. I like to be able to feel some mag box movement after the gun is torqued. I've had to grind some off a box mag to get it free from any and all pressure.

Redneck is a M-70 guru. Not sure what he said in his PM, but I would go with his recommendations.

DF

I don't think much of a gunsmith who doesn't check his work before sending the rifle back to the customer.

+1

DF

In defense of the unnamed smith, it's a couple of states away, depending on where, that can be a big difference in humidity and such. It isn't unheard of for a McMillan stock to warp as result of environmental changes. We all like to pretend they are completely stable, but that isn't always the case.

This is a wood stock, from the pics he sent me..

In the op, he says its a McMillan.

I wouldn’t attribute this problem to a McM stock warping enough to be an issue.

If they do move, I’d say not that much.

DF

I suspect that something is binding.

I totally agree.

You're correct.. I looked at the pic again and it's definitely not wood.. I musta had my tan sunglasses on at the time..



No question..

Op, any updates on the rifle in question?

Yes. I sent Redneck some pics and I think we narrowed down that the bedding in the stock is a bit high somewhere. When fully assembled, there's a lot space between the trigger and trigger guard... more so than normal.

The rifle is going back to the gunsmithing shop to be repaired, all at their cost.

In exchanging emails with Redneck, once I get the rifle back I think I'll send it to him at some point to have him do a trigger job on it.