Author Topic: Tight bolt action (Read 999 times)

Doc TH · « **on:** October 16, 2004, 11:40:32 AM »

I have a Mark X 30-06. Shoots well and is generally satisfactory. However, the bolt is fairly stiff to operate - both opening and closing. It is noticeably "stiffer" than the action on my Kar 98 Mauser or the '03-A3 I had owned.
Diagnosis?
What to do to slicken it up a bit?
Thanks

Aardvark · « **Reply #1 on:** October 21, 2004, 12:06:55 PM »

Try loosening the screws at the trigger guard and floorplate a little at a time.

sgtt · « **Reply #2 on:** October 21, 2004, 07:35:08 PM »

You have a commercially built action versus military. My guess would be that the commercial action would be built to tighter tolerences than either of what could be war time produced firearms. There is also the probability that the military actions are more well used. The jest of all this is that it may be a good thing.

Doc TH · « **Reply #3 on:** November 01, 2004, 05:28:43 PM »

Thanks Aardvark and Sgtt.
Loosening the action screws had a very slight effect.
I know the commercial actions are generally tighter than military bolts, even if the latter have not seen a great deal of use (e.g., my Kar 98). Even my Kar 98 feels a little snug compared to the '03-A3...
While not as slick as the Mauser or Springfield, the Mk X is not particularly difficult to operate, and I guess I'll go along with Sgtt's opining that maybe it's not a bad thing. Maybe the solution is to shoot it a lot more - now there's a thought...

BruceP · « **Reply #4 on:** November 02, 2004, 03:55:50 AM »

Since loosening the screws had a slight effect, then check one more thing with the screws. Remove the bolt, tighten the front screw all the way in then with one finger reach in and feel down into the bolt lug recess and see if you can feel the end of the screw comming all the way through into the recess. My Winchester M70 Featherweight had this problem when it was new and the screw was against the bolt lug when it rotated down into the recess. It took me a while to find this but after I found it and cut a couple of threads off the screw, not only was it not as tight, it also shot more accurately.
BruceP

handirifle · « **Reply #5 on:** November 02, 2004, 11:32:06 AM »

While you're on this topic, I'll mention my situation.

My savage bolt (bought used) I just noticed has some side to side play in the bolt (very slight, but there) when the rifle is NOT cocked. When the rifle IS cocked, the play is gone.

The rifle shoots fairly well with 3 shot groups at about 1"