Went to the range today to check the zero on the Remington Model 700 .270 that I inherited several years ago from my father. The gun has not been fired for quite a while and could not be cocked. Worked the bolt a number of times to empty the magazine and it never cocked. I plan on taking to a gunsmith in San Antonio next week but hoped someone here might offer some insight.

Dont take it to a gunsmith. Im about 99% positive the trigger area is gummed up with old oil. Take the stock off and clean it. I know this because mine did the same thing when I inherited mine from my grandfather

agreed. the old timers seemed to think the more oil the better, and used 20w50, lol.

Take it to a gunsmith and have him check it out and give a good cleaning. A good cleaning will not hurt it one bit. Dury's Gun Shop off of Hot Wells in SA is really great with great people.

Koenig is probably right. However, another possibility is that somebody has been monkeying with the adjustment screws on the trigger group.

If you take it to a reputable, licensed gunsmith for a good detail cleaning and general going-through you will be sure it is ready and safe to use.

Dosent sound like a trigger problem, sounds like your bolt is dirty and filled with grease and dirt. They are simple to take apart. Youtube rem 700 bolt disassembly and there's a vid of a guy field stripping his bolt with is own shoestrings. Once you get it apart clean it with a copper or nylon brush(firing pin assembly and the inside of the bolt body) lightly lube and put it back together.

Thanks for advice. I will give it a good cleaning, paying particular attention to the trigger and bolt. to be on the safe side I will take it to Durys, been there many times, for a good going over before I use it. Thanks for all the help and advise.

In 2010 I had a 1984 issue Rem 700 fail to fire, for a reason that could also prevent cocking; the trigger sear assembly that pivots up (with spring pressure) to engage the bolt was so gummy that it drug on the walls of the trigger assembly.
I took the trigger completely apart for a thorough cleaning, but with an aggressive solvent it might have been corrected w/o disassembly.
All is now good.

Not trying to be negative, but some of the Remmys have been known to discharge just taking the safety off safe. Some folks blamed it on dirty triggers, bolt, etc. Make sure whoever cleans it does a good job. Good luck.

Mike, Most Remingtons that have trigger problems usually result
from two things...poor or lack of maint., or someone decided they
should adjust them, without first learning how...

I have one of my hunting buds that I load two rifles for. Both
are custom fit to the weapon. First thing I did was clean them
correctly prior to setting my projectiles..All last yr. he said
his 22-250 CARTIDGES didn't fit...This yr., he cleaned his own
weapons, said he spent two hrs. on the varmit rifle and the bullets fit...Never KNOW...Try Break Cleaner on the Trigge grp DD