Bolt Action Cleaning

[ThePunisher'sArmory]

Ok so i have just bought two savage bolt actions, a Mark II rimfire and a 110FP in .223. Now i like to keep all my guns very clean and as far as rifles go i am used to mainly AR platforms and other autos. Now in all these guns the bolt can be taken apart and thoroughly clean, but in these new bolt actions savage says not to disassemble their bolts. I mean even my hunting shotguns pump and auto the bolts can be taken apart. How do i keep these bolt action's bolts clean? Or am i just worrying about it too much? Please help...

 

[Art Eatman]

Back around 1970, I bought a Sako and a Weatherby. I've put maybe a thousand rounds through the Sako and maybe 4,000 through the Weatherby. Never any glitch of any sort.

The bolts have never been disassembled for internal cleaning.

 

[Big Russ]

I'd think it's safe to say you're worrying about it too much. My 20ga. bolt action shotgun's bolt has never been taken apart for extensive cleaning, neither have I ever seen my uncle take any of his bolts apart either.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but an AR's bolt moves a lot more than your Mark II or 110FP, so breaking it down for a cleaning now and then would make sense... a true bolt action only moves so much between rounds and doesn't see as much action as an AR's would.

 

[YaNi]

The bolt on my Marlin 25 BA .22 is a PITA to disassemble, so I always hosed it down with brake cleaner and hit it with compressed air to make sure all the gunk is out of it. A couple weeks ago I got really bored and decided to polish the bolt, which meant I had to disassemble it. The gun is over 50 years old and the previous owner (my old man) isn't known for keeping his guns clean. I was expecting 50+ years of gunk and grime from shooting filthy rimfire rounds, but it was nearly spotless.

You shouldn't have any problems for the next 50 years.

 

[williamd]

I have disassembled many types of bolts to clear and probably wasted my time. Had to do a very few over 50+ years of shooting to replace firing pin, sping, etc. Most are a PITA!!

 

[Uncle Mike]

Unless your privy to taking bolts apart...I would not.
You really don't need to clean the innards of a bolt action bolt unless you have sank the rifle or dropped an oily bolt in the dirt.

 

[TehK1w1]

I've got several savage 11/110s. Other than wiping off the bolt face every once in a while, nothing is really needed-crud doesn't really get into the bolt in these guns.

 

[rangerruck]

dittos for all the above; just a wipe down, and light lube will do the trick.
If it starts eating you up inside, put in a small steel pan of brake cleaner, let sit for a few days, then blast out with hot , or fast running water, like from a hose.
then drench the whole thing in oil, let that drip dry for another day.
wipe down, reinstall. that is very clean, very thorough, and very unnecessary- but will put your mind at ease.

 

[NWCP]

I use Tetra aerosol to spray down my bolts. After removing any residual spray I then lightly lubricate with Break Free CLP. Make sure you use the Tetra in a well ventilated space, or preferably outside. Trichloroethylene is not good for the body I use rubber gloves when handling it. Too many years using trichloroethylene in industrial applications.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Bolt action mil-surps will need to be stripped to remove cosmolene (I usually soak them in odor-less mineral spirits) and I always dissassemble my Mauser bolts for cleaning and lube. These are very easy to dissassemble/re-assemble. For my commercial bolts,I just blast some brake-kleen into them,purge with compressed air and spray a little Rem-oil into them,again using shop air to remove any excess oil(I don't want a "wet" bolt).

 

[ThePunisher'sArmory]

Well thank you everyone for your replies. Just hearing the bolt does not need extensive maintenance sets my mind at ease, and with only having to clean the barrel and lightly oil it will save me time after every predator hunt or range session.