Field-ready: smart ways to clean your Remington 700 bolt action rifle

A Remington 700 bolt action rifle is a serious piece of kit for Australian shooters, whether you are chasing sambar deer in the Victorian high country, sorting out feral pigs along the Murray, or punching holes in paper at your local range. The rifle has earned a strong reputation for accuracy and reliability, but that reputation only holds up when the owner puts in a regular clean. Aussie conditions can be tough on firearms: red dust, coastal salt, sudden downpours, and long trips in the back of a ute all take a toll.

Spending an hour or so on a proper clean after a weekend away pays off in tighter groups, smoother bolt operation, and a longer service life for the rifle. The good news is the Remington 700 is a straightforward firearm to look after, and a few habits built up over time will keep it ready for whatever the bush throws at it.

Setting up the workbench

Most Australian shooters will have a familiar spot to do the work, whether it is a dedicated bench in a suburban garage or a cleared corner of the farm shed. The first rule is to keep the area clean and well lit, because the last thing you want is a speck of grit scratching a bore or getting into the action. A drop sheet on the bench catches solvents and small parts, and a magnetic tray is a handy way to keep tiny components from vanishing into the sawdust.

A good cleaning kit for the Remington 700 should include a one-piece or segmented rod that fits the bore, nylon and bronze brushes in the right calibre, quality patches, a decent solvent, and a light lubricant. A small selection of screwdrivers, a torque wrench for stock screws, and a soft rag round out the basic list. Plenty of shooters in regional NSW and Queensland keep everything in a single plastic toolbox so it can be packed away between trips to the range. Restocking the kit is simple once an online account is sorted through the step-by-step guide to setting up a customer account on our site.

Stripping the bolt and action

Before touching anything, make sure the rifle is unloaded, the magazine is out, and the chamber is clear. Push the safety off, open the bolt, and double-check by feel and sight. With the rifle safe, the next step is to remove the bolt from the action. On a Remington 700 this is done by pressing in on the bolt release catch at the rear left of the receiver and sliding the bolt body out the back.

Once the bolt is out, the firing pin and extractor can be carefully disassembled for a closer clean. Push out the cross pin, ease the firing pin out, and remove the extractor and its spring. Lay everything out in order so reassembly is painless. A soft brush and a touch of solvent on the bolt body will lift powder residue, then a light oiling of the moving parts keeps the action slick. Hunters chasing goats in the rocky hills west of Bathurst often find this step is where most of the built-up fouling lives.

Cleaning the bore

The barrel is the heart of the rifle, and the bore deserves the most patient work. Start by running a patch soaked in solvent through from the chamber end using a cleaning rod, never from the muzzle, to avoid pushing a brush against the crown. Follow with a bronze brush, push it fully through several times, and let the solvent do its work for ten minutes or so.

For rifles that have spent time in the field, particularly in dusty parts of the outback or in the coastal scrub, a second round of brushing and patching may be needed before the patches come out clean. When the last patch is spotless, run a dry one through, then follow up with an oiled patch for short-term storage. The Remington 700 responds well to a consistent routine, and the barrel will tell you quickly if any steps are being skipped.

Looking after the stock and external parts

The stock takes a real beating under Australian sun, especially in places like the Flinders Ranges or the Kimberley where temperatures push into the high forties. Synthetic stocks handle UV better than older wood furniture, but the metalwork still deserves a wipe-down with an oiled cloth to push back against moisture and fingerprints. Check the recoil lug and the action screws for any signs of movement, and re-torque the screws to the maker's spec if needed.

For shooters closer to the coast, a thin film of corrosion inhibitor on blued or stainless surfaces is a smart habit after a wet weekend on the ranges around Hobart or Fremantle. Wipe down the muzzle crown with a clean patch so solvents or oil do not attract grit, and give the sling swivels a quick check while you are at it. A rifle that looks after you in the field starts with a rifle that is cared for at home.

Reassembly and a quick function check

Putting the Remington 700 back together is the reverse of stripping it down, and it is worth taking it slowly. Re-fit the extractor and spring into the bolt body, slide the firing pin back into place, and line up the cross pin with a small punch. With the bolt back in the action, work the safety, dry fire on an empty chamber if local rules allow, and cycle a couple of snap caps to confirm the firing pin strikes cleanly.

A short, honest test on the range the next arvo will confirm the rifle is grouping as it should. If something feels off, a fresh clean often sorts it out. Keeping a small cleaning kit in the car or ute means you can look after the rifle at the end of a session rather than leaving fouling to set hard.

Keeping a Remington 700 in working order becomes second nature once the routine is set, and the rifle will reward the effort with years of dependable service. Many Australian hunters pair their rifle work with shotgun outings for waterfowl or rabbits, and the team's write-up on hypersonic steel shot choices is worth a read for anyone planning mixed trips. The support team is on hand 24/7 to help with any questions about products, orders, or shipping along the way.