Sticky bolt after (dry) firing
06-04-2004, 06:54 AM
#1
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Crescent Valley, NV
Posts: 2,271
Sticky bolt after (dry) firing
I have a Savage 110 .30-06 that I bought 4 years ago. Within the last few months, I realized that after pulling the trigger, even if I dry fire it, the bolt is more difficult to open, than just closing and opening the bolt in succession. If I open it quickly, such as if I were in a hunting situation, I do not notice it. It is only when I slowly open the bolt and pay close attention. Does anybody have an idea what might be causing this? I have not shot the rifle very much over the last year or so, but from what I have shot it, it has been accurate enough, and my handloads are trimmed to spec, and loaded very modestly. I am at a loss.
06-04-2004, 08:34 AM
#2
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Lethbridge, Alberta
Posts: 1,118
RE: Sticky bolt after (dry) firing
I'm assumming you are decocking the gun when not in use or for storage. It is probbably related to the firing pin spring. Strip the bolt, clean out all the debris with a brush and good solvent, including the spring itself. Then lube with a synthetic oil, but lightly as not to create a build up. If there is any rust inside, remove it with steel wool. Also check the bolt release/cocking indicator on the side of the receiver and do the same thing. hope this helps.
06-04-2004, 11:47 AM
#3
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Gypsum KS USA
Posts: 1,289
RE: Sticky bolt after (dry) firing
One thing I must ask, when you say "the bolt is more difficult to open", do you mean unlocking the bolt is more difficult or drawing it to the rear is more difficult?
If unlocking is more difficult, then there is nothing wrong with your gun, most modern arms recock the firing pin as you unlock the bolt (rotate the bolt handle), but you shouldn't notice any hanging or increased resistance when drawing the bolt to the rear.
If it is hanging up as you draw it to the rear, then there's something strange happening, because really NOTHING is happening to the firing mechanism as you're drawing the bolt rearward--certain guns (most mausers) still cock the firing pin as you push the bolt forward instead of as you unlock the bolt handle, but there aren't any that I'm aware of that do anything while you're drawing it rearward other than eject the casing, and that resistance would be constant regardless of whether you've fired it or not.
If unlocking is more difficult, then there is nothing wrong with your gun, most modern arms recock the firing pin as you unlock the bolt (rotate the bolt handle), but you shouldn't notice any hanging or increased resistance when drawing the bolt to the rear.
If it is hanging up as you draw it to the rear, then there's something strange happening, because really NOTHING is happening to the firing mechanism as you're drawing the bolt rearward--certain guns (most mausers) still cock the firing pin as you push the bolt forward instead of as you unlock the bolt handle, but there aren't any that I'm aware of that do anything while you're drawing it rearward other than eject the casing, and that resistance would be constant regardless of whether you've fired it or not.
06-04-2004, 12:25 PM
#5
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Crescent Valley, NV
Posts: 2,271
RE: Sticky bolt after (dry) firing
Nomercy- "The bolt is more difficult to open,"- by that I meant actually lifting the bolt handle. After the bolt is lifted, the bolt slides smoothly through the action with no resistance. So, it appears that there is nothing wrong.
pharoh2- about every couple hundred rounds or so, I clean the bolt in its entirety, icluding disassembling it completely and cleaning all of the parts including the spring, firing pin, etc. I put a VERY LIGHT coat of lube to make sure everything keeps working smoothly.
pharoh2- about every couple hundred rounds or so, I clean the bolt in its entirety, icluding disassembling it completely and cleaning all of the parts including the spring, firing pin, etc. I put a VERY LIGHT coat of lube to make sure everything keeps working smoothly.
06-05-2004, 07:52 AM
#7
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Crescent Valley, NV
Posts: 2,271
RE: Sticky bolt after (dry) firing
The cocking indicator looks fine. I took the stock off yesterday so I could put a Decelerator recoil pad on it, and it gave me a chance to examine how everything works on the action, have never really paid any attention to it. Now I see where the resistance is coming from, when I lift the bolt, it drags the cocking lever along the trigger which is connected to the firing pin. That is what is causing the "difficulty in opening the bolt." Kinda cool how things work!
06-06-2004, 04:45 PM
#8
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,679
RE: Sticky bolt after (dry) firing
The cocking piece will drag the sear on every bolt action gun. The sear is under spring tension and is constantly being pushed up against the cocking piece. If it were not the cocking piece would not engage the sear when you rotate the bolt.
Check the caming angle that is cut into the rear of the bolt. Look for gauling either on the camming angle on the bolt or on the forward part of the cocking piece. This angle draws back the cocking piece back so that the sear will connect with the cocking pieces engagement surface. If there is any gauling on either of these two pieces your bolt will become very dificult to open.
Check the caming angle that is cut into the rear of the bolt. Look for gauling either on the camming angle on the bolt or on the forward part of the cocking piece. This angle draws back the cocking piece back so that the sear will connect with the cocking pieces engagement surface. If there is any gauling on either of these two pieces your bolt will become very dificult to open.
