Sitting here musing over my 1993-era, M700 Classic, and I see an “error” in the making of this otherwise fine rifle . . . .
As some of us know, Springfield Armory, way-back in 1936, realized that the “gas relief” hole in the right side of the M1903 rifle was not only blocked by the claw extractor, but was also on the WRONG side.
Hence the “Hatcher/Borden” hole was drilled on the LEFT side, in line with the hole bored in the bolt . . . and made for MUCH EASIER gas escape in the event of a punchered primer.
However . . . .
How is it that the engineers at Remington, FAILED to see that the hole in the M700 bolt, and the hole in the receiver, are 180 degrees opposed!!
The Springfield knowledge was ANCIENT HISTORY when the M700 was designed . . . .so the gas escape holes SHOULD HAVE BEEN ALIGHNED!!
Seems like Remington dropped the ball here!