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Tactical Bolt handles

3K views 26 replies 18 participants last post by  Earthquake 
#1 ·
Have any of you guys ever had your bolt changed over to handle a tactical bolt handle? I was thinking of doing this to the new Remington 700 5R I just bought. I have larger bolt handles on my Savage and Ruger Precision Rifles, and kind of like it. What say you, before I go out and do it. Open to opinions.
 
#2 ·
Back when I was shooting High Power I purchased a Remington 40XC. I wasn't able to master the 40XC after a few matches. I traded rifles with a friend for a few matches. He had a Winchester Model 70 and it was much easier for me to shoot. He was able to shoot the 40XC very well. I always thought I would be able to shoot the 40XC if it had a longer bolt handle.
 
#4 ·
I've never been a serious bolt guy (except for .22's) but I've fired them now and then. I bought my Savage last year and it has the tactical handle on it... it's like grabbing a soup can. Personally, I'd like it better a little smaller and shaped down a bit so it doesn't stick out so much. It may be 'high speed...' but it sure ain't 'low drag.' GI3
 
#6 ·
I looked into it when I still had my 700, the way they trim down the old handle to be like a screw to go into the new bigger handle didn't seem very strong at all, it's kinda skinny. If you run it like you stole it I'd fear it might break off, remembering how thin the part that screws onto the new bolt head really is. I haven't actually heard of one breaking off but there is no way it is as strong as it was. I could be wrong and it wouldn't be the end of the world, just a thought. I was going to buy an aftermarket bolt that the big head was part of the arm like the original.
m14brian
 
#7 ·
I have mixed feelings about them. As some have noted, most tacticool handles are quite large - maybe even too large. Today there are a wide variety of shapes and sizes available, though, so you should be able to find one that you like. Next is the Remington bolt handle itself; it's a (poor quality) casting, as many gunsmiths have discovered when modifying the bolt for the new knob. They sometimes have voids in them, which makes some of them unsuitable for threading. What do you do once the gunsmith has already removed the factory knob and discovers that he can't use the handle because of voids? Two choices - weld a new bolt handle on, or replace the entire bolt. Maybe this isn't all that commonly encountered, but it's certainly a possibility.

I've got tactical knobs on a couple of Remingtons, and I'm not certain that I'd do any more.
 
#8 ·
If you have Facebook check out The Polished Knob. This guy makes some beautiful bolt lifts and also fluting of the bolt body
 
G
#9 ·
I've got the older Savage 10FP, and with my scope setup I'm wondering if a larger handle would clear the scope. Also I've seen a bolt-on tactical handle that's two halves that just goes over your existing one without modifications, don't know how well they work or if they still make them...
 
#11 ·
Brownells and others offer for sale a bolt handle extension for the 700 which is polymer and in different colors. Two halves which are held together by machine screw, bought one installed it and takes couple minutes and good to go. Fits over the factory bolt handle and can be epoxied on for permanent or left with just the screw fastener for later removal if desired.
 
#13 ·
My ocular lens on my Zeiss is pretty big. I've wished I'd have had a longer bolt handle when I cycle the action on my Savage. I can't just grab the bolt handle and work it. I've got to open my hand, palm up, to reach the top of the bolt rotation and keep my fingers out of the way when I push the bolt forward.

I will eventually have a longer/larger bolt handle when the time comes. If having the tactical bolt handle means I can grab the bolt and pull/push without having to be conscious about keeping my fingers clear, then I see the value of longer/larger bolt handles. I buy bear tags when I go deer hunting and I don't want to have too many things to think about if I'm stalking through the thicket where the bears are most likely hanging out.

Tony.
 
#17 ·
Take a look at Brownells website. They at least used to offer a slightly extended Savage bolt handle with a marginally larger knob. That might be just the ticket for your purpose.
 
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#20 ·
I would not add any more leverage to a stock Remington bolt handle because they are only soldered on the bolt body or at least they used to be, it was not uncommon for a 700 bolt handle to come off.
I would use a new PTG 1 piece bolt and do it right, its not cheap but Cry once as they say!

http://pacifictoolandgauge.com/105-remington-700-1-piece-bolts
 
#21 ·
For long range prone slow fire match style shooting reason folks like the so called "tactical" bolt handle is that the std. handle is short enough that it requires more effort to open the bolt and by doing so can take you out of that ever important position you have worked on so hard to develop, you "built" as they say the correct position for you and your particular rifle. No easy to do, but keeping the butt of the rifle into your shoulder from shot to shot is important for performance purposes and if the bolt opening offers stout resistance and you take the rifle down as they say for each shot, it's like having to rebuild your position such as grip pressure, cheek weld, sling tension, sight picture, etc., etc. for each shot and that is a real detriment to accurate shooting at extended ranges especially at a match such as Palma which is 8,9 and 1000yds. I had one of the first Savage so called match rifles and rifle shot fine, but that effort to open the bolt took lots of effort and factory had many complaints about it for required you to take the rifle down each shot, but their longer bolt handle helped solve that problem, offered more leverage so to speak. Been shooting Rem. 700's for some years and have heard of the bolt handle coming off and also that the extractor is weak and breaks, but have never experienced that or seen same over a period of more than 100 rifle matches over the years. Will say a shooter at a Palma match who frankly did not know what he was doing and used loads way hotter than necessary could not get his 700 bolt to open and used a hammer to beat it open and yes, the bolt handle came off, but I would consider that extreme situation just as the shooter was extreme. We took the rifle to Douglas and they had to remove the barrel and get the bolt body removed for it had nearly welded itself to the breech. I always made sure that I was not next to him during a match for fear of flying parts.
 
#22 ·
I have the large Badger tac handle on my 700 PSS, it's a bit large and in hindsight I wish I had gone with Badger's smaller tac handle.

I will recommend the smith I used for the swap, he charged me $125 and I sent him my bolt and the knob, very fast turn-around and excellent job, didn't ruin the bluing. He's in Los Angles, PM me if you want his contact info..

Mac GI6
 
#23 ·
Thanks for the replies. I am going to weigh my options before changing the handle out.
Who knows the knob might just work fine. I guess I should not change it prior to shooting it for the first time, right?
 
#24 ·
I definitely believe that changes should be made to improve a rifle....not just because everyone else seems to be doing it.

I had a Badger Tactical bolt knob installed on one of my Remington 700s with a relatively large scope, and am very satisfied with it. I put this bolt into my other precision 700 (with a 4-16 Viper PST) , ran the bolt a few times, and immediately ordered another one. I seriously considered going with their mini knob, but the large one is in no way too large.
 
#26 ·
Well it's black so I guess it's tactical.
Just posting this to show there's more than one way to skin a cat.




When I started shooting High Power matches I wanted to get a more reliable grip on the bolt. Went to the auto parts store and got a tube of RTV, just to see if a bigger knob would help. After using this in all different conditions I ended up using this on all my competition bolt guns.
After years and thousands of rounds I have no regrets. I know it's ugly as all get out, but I'm OK with it. If I ever get tired of it a sharp edge and a little pull and its gone.
To qualify for the installation; can you get toothpaste out of a tube?
 
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#27 ·
You could always do like I did on my "Junkyard Dog" Tactical Mauser.
Just get your self a 3/8-24 stainless bolt cut the head off, turn a knob from aluminum and TIG weld it to your bolt.
Its a VZ-24 action that has a old British Parker Hale M82 heavy barrel [7.62N] on it, Fully free floated and Pillar bedded, It shoots a lot better then one would think.

Casey
 
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