cross bolts on Rem 798 african

[CIG]

Do the cross bolts on the Remington 798 in 375 H&H hold the action to the stock?  If so, I'm gussing a Mauser 98 cross bolt wrench is what I need to remove them.  Thanks.

[Frank46]

The cross bolts are for structurely reinforcing the stock. The 98 mauser usually has one that keeps the recoil lug in place. On rifles with these it prevents splitting of the wood in a couple places. usually in the recoil lug area and behind the magazine and in front of the trigger. And usually there are only two screws holding the action in place on a mauser type rifle. Hope I've explained this correctly. Frank

[CIG]

So, it looks like the answer is no, the cross bolts don't hold the action in the stock and I should just pound on it til it releases from the stock.  It must just be really tight.  I need to get to the trigger to do some adjustments.  Thanks.

[Brithunter]

So, it looks like the answer is no, the cross bolts don't hold the action in the stock and I should just pound on it til it releases from the stock.  It must just be really tight.  I need to get to the trigger to do some adjustments.  Thanks.

Sure a few whacks with a 4lb lump hammer should shift it 


Now if it's that tight then perhaps you be looking very carefully at why it won't budge and if you had to ask a aimple question as to the number of fixings then perhaps it's time to go and see someone who knows what they are doing as from what I have read here you don't. We all have to learn sometime and most of us have gone:-


Doh!!!! 

at some time or another for missing something blindingly obvious 

[CIG]

I assumed you were the guys in the know.  I have glass bedded and adjusted many a trigger on a rifle, but never touched a big bore before.  I still can't get this stock out from the action and the only thing that makes it different than my two mark X's is the cross bolts.  Does anyone know for sure or should I just pull those cross bolts?  Just searching for some ideas here.  I talked to the big game shooters and hunters I shoot with in high power silhouette and they say the same thing, the cross bolts are not designed in their rifles to hold the stock in, but then they said they don't know about this Remington 798.  Someone suggested maybe it is glass bedded already and they stuck it to the metal.   I can't imagine a production rifle is already glass bedded. 

[Brithunter]

Ok as we don't know one another I am trying to cover all bases. Now one thing has crossed my mind is that sometimes these have three fixings  a lug under the barrel. I would have thought it would have been obvious if it did but as I say we are trying to cover all bases.

I would also drop Remington an e-mail/line and find out if these were glass bedded!    I am wondering here if someone didn't use enough release agent and have bonded the stock to the action/barrel. Without actually seeing it you must admit it's pretty hard to help for a few thousand miles away  .

[Rangr44]

I've never had my paws on a Remmy 798 - but have you checked for a third bottom screw just forward of the triggerguard, under the floopplate ?

My CZ550 Safari had a 2nd recoil lug in the mid-point of it's barrel channel, but it wasn't physically tied to the barreled action in any way - it was linked to the forward TG/action screw via an inletted link.

Another thing to try:
If you have access to a chest-type freezer (or it's REALLY cold outside), freeze the entire rifle for a few hours to slightly shrink the metal in relation to the wood, and give the underside of the barrel just ahead of the forend tip a solid upward thwack while the stock is securely held DOWN.

.

[CIG]

I cleared off more grease off this gun last night and this thing is indeed glass bedded?  That was a surprise to me.  I put a block in it and hit it with a rubber mallet to break it loose but this thing is in tight.  I have glass bedded rifles before and have had to do the freezer trick.  It's going to get down to 3 below on Saturday so I will try it then.  I can't see anything else but an aluminum block that is above the front cross bolt, between the action and the stock, but I doubt this thing attaches to the action in anyway.  It certainly doesn't show in the schematics drawings of the parts that came in the box.  That shooting an e-mail to Remington might not be a bad idea either, I'll look into that.  I just hope this thing isn't glued in.  Thanks all. 

[jro45]

Cross bolts Hold everything together on big bores and any other rifle that has them.  I would not remove them.

[CIG]

I was down to 3 degree last night so I set the rifle outside for a half hour and went out and pounded the action out with a rubber mallet.  Took three good hits under the barrel and it popped out.  A little glass was still stuck to the barrel, but the glass job was pretty good.  No cross bolt issue, so it's just like everyone said.  Thanks for everyone's help on this one.  Will clean it up, set the trigger and start reloading this weekend.  Thanks again. 

[Brithunter]

Ahhhh not enough release agent  glad you got it sorted  I almost heard the huge Phew   from here 

[jro45]

I don't mess with my bolts. If they have to be removed I take it to a gunsmith or get detailed instructions.