As the title states, I am in search of X7/XS7 components to complete a custom build. The base model rifle is actually a Remington 783. Go ahead, let me have it. After discovering from Darkker and others that the bolt heads between the 783 and the X-series rifles are interchangeable, I began a quest to identify ALL of the compatible components between the two. I really wanted an X7 in .223 to complement my Ares SCR. Thank you Remington for destroying another fantastic rifle. One day while perusing the local Gander with a co-worker, I decided to try an X7 7mm-08 bolt in a 783 7mm-08 action. To my absolute delight, the bolt slid into the receiver exceptionally smooth, the sear engaged the firing pin and the bolt rotated down into the locked position. I bought the 783 because of the solid receiver tube. Of course the 32 year old "gun guru" standing behind the counter thought I was the dumbest person in the world, telling me that bolt only works in the X7. Any gunsmith worth his certification can tell you any part can work in almost any gun, it just depends on how much modification is required.
A few weeks later I invited a friend to go shooting with me, with his .223 X7. After some persuading he allowed me to borrow his bolt. Out came the gauges. After very little headspacing, the bolt seemed to work perfectly. I loaded a few dummies and cycled the bolt. Everything worked. Allowing me to test fire took considerably more convincing, but the bottle of Scotch deal-sweetener finally persuaded him to concede. Eureka!!! I love the X7 fluted bolt. The round knob on the bolt handle is miles ahead of the craptastic cast steel paddle on the 783. And the bolt plug, well it's just sleeker and more pleasing to my eyes. That brings me to the point of this post. After exhausting all of my sources of supply for gun parts, I have been unable to find a short action bolt body. Numrich has the long action for $79.95. I could buy that and remachine it until it works. I would, however, rather obtain the correct part. Does anyone here know of any source I might buy one? Marlington Consumer Services directed me to a service center about an hour and a half away from me, only they say they have to fit the bolt body to the rifle. Since the part is not going into a Marlin, I'm SOL. I would even be willing to pay for a Marlin owner to say he or she "lost" theirs so they might sent their rifle to a service center to obtain a new one.
I do hope someone on here can help me with this. If this post needs to be moved somewhere else, just let me know. Thanks all.
A few weeks later I invited a friend to go shooting with me, with his .223 X7. After some persuading he allowed me to borrow his bolt. Out came the gauges. After very little headspacing, the bolt seemed to work perfectly. I loaded a few dummies and cycled the bolt. Everything worked. Allowing me to test fire took considerably more convincing, but the bottle of Scotch deal-sweetener finally persuaded him to concede. Eureka!!! I love the X7 fluted bolt. The round knob on the bolt handle is miles ahead of the craptastic cast steel paddle on the 783. And the bolt plug, well it's just sleeker and more pleasing to my eyes. That brings me to the point of this post. After exhausting all of my sources of supply for gun parts, I have been unable to find a short action bolt body. Numrich has the long action for $79.95. I could buy that and remachine it until it works. I would, however, rather obtain the correct part. Does anyone here know of any source I might buy one? Marlington Consumer Services directed me to a service center about an hour and a half away from me, only they say they have to fit the bolt body to the rifle. Since the part is not going into a Marlin, I'm SOL. I would even be willing to pay for a Marlin owner to say he or she "lost" theirs so they might sent their rifle to a service center to obtain a new one.
I do hope someone on here can help me with this. If this post needs to be moved somewhere else, just let me know. Thanks all.
