Rem700 bolt squeaking

[orkan]

So, my rem700 22-250 I bought last year for coyote slaying has had a squeaky bolt since I bought the damn thing. Tonight I went to war with the squeak... and am beaten.

It squeaks upon closing the bolt. It doesn't squeak when sliding it forward or backward, just when I push the handle down and close the bolt. The faster I close it, the louder it squeaks. When the internal box mag full and more pressure on the spring ie more pressure on the bolt, it is louder. It's not really noticable with and empty mag, but still does it to some degree. So, upward pressure on the bottom of the bolt while closing makes it louder/worse. I can reproduce this with the ammo out of the rifle using my fingers up through the mag well. Condition still exists when barreled action is out of the stock.

Here is what I've tried:
Greased the lugs (heavily) after a light coat didn't work.
Greased entire bolt.
Dissembled bolt and greased firing pin and spring.
Greased rails of action, and anyplace I could see contacting the bolt.
Action screw is not protruding into bolt lug recess.
Scope base screw is not protruding into bolt lug recess.
Checked the internal magazine for clearance to ensure it wasn't touching the bolt.
Loosened the front and rear action screws both, and independently of each other.

I've not had this issue with any of my other rem700's, and I'm at a loss here. I'm open to suggestions!

[matemike]

Does it squeak whilst chambering a round?
I'm assuming all of your tests were done with empty chamber.

[orkan]

Happens whether chambering a round or not.

[mark5pt56]

Sounds like the rounds are pressing up on the under side of the bolt body. Maybe check the topside to see where it may be contacting the receiver and see if that can be buffed. Check the bolt shroud also to see if it's rubbing.

[tuck]

What do the bolt lugs look like? Any abnormal wear?

Have you pulled the bolt apart and looked for anything wearing funny?

This is a new one for me too, I've never heard of a squeaky bolt before.

[orkan]

No abnormal wear that I can see anywhere. I did pull the bolt apart and clean/grease the firing pin assembly. No change.

[99HMC4]

Degreaser the bolt, lugs and barrel extension then use some machinist blue to font the wear ares. Then try to pin point to big spot or odd/uneven areas, then address those. I would assume it's either on the back side of the bolt lugs or just in front of the handle on the bolt body. Check the sear too. Or just don't crank down those barska scope rings so tight you bend the receiver...

[orkan]

Or just don't crank down those barska scope rings so tight you bend the receiver...

I set them to 83 inch pounds just as your boyfriend recommended!

[Thomas M-4]

This is a long shot but could it be coming from the cocking piece?

[99HMC4]

This is a long shot but could it be coming from the cocking piece?

That's what I was thinking, or maybe the sear. I had a old bolt gun that did this to but only with a loaded chamber. It turned out to be a head space issue....