[Afy]

The bolt is very sticky.
Irrespective of load or factory ammunition the bolt is becoming difficult to cycle.

I more often than not need to put the bolt in the open position and push firmly to cycle it. IT has a tendency to then fall out of the rifle.

Evidently I do think, there is something I need to clean.. but am unsure of what exacly to clean.

Appreciate all the help I can get.

[rcmodel]

I didn't know what a SHR 970 was until I goggled it.
SO I don't know anything at all about them.

But if a bolt-gun is hard to operate, and the bolt falls out sometimes,
I would suspect the bolt release!

I'd pull it out of the stock and go over everything with a brush & solvent.

Then try it out of the stock and see if it works or not.

Once back in the stock, try it again.
If you have the same problem again, it's something to do with the stock binding against the action.

rcmodel

[Afy]

I suspect that too.... will clean and update. :)

[M39SKY]

This may not be your issue, but I once had a hard time with the bolt on my SHR 970. Mine was traced back to the glue I used on the scope mount base screws that oozed inside the receiver.
I'd also do a thorough check on the screws that hold the barrel to the receiver.

[rcmodel]

Thats a very good point.

I would also check for long scope mount screws and make sure one or more of them isn't rubbing on the bolt.

rcmodel