How hard should it be to open a bolt?

[ocabj]

I finally took my first bolt action out to the range yesterday (Savage 10FP-LE2) and did the break-in. My question is, how hard should the bolt be to open after firing? The bolt is pretty smooth too open and close when loading a round, but after firing, it takes more effort to open and extract the cartridge. It's not extremely hard, but I actually have to put more force into rotating the bolt to pull it back. I was using Hornady 168 Match factory ammunition.

 

[Art Eatman]

This is a really subjective thing, and hard to describe just with words.

I'd expect more effort to open on a fired case, "but not a whole heckuva lot". It's been so many decades since I've even thought about it!

Now, excess pressure can lead to real difficulty in opening a bolt, up to using a hammer on it. I don't gather that that's the case for you.

If you can shoot offhand and leave the rifle mounted to your shoulder and cycle the bolt with no particular difficulty, I'd think things were normal.

FWIW, Art

 

[ocabj]

Well, I was shooting from a bench off bags and it did require me to hold the left side of the receiver with my left palm so I could get force to rotate the bolt up. Maybe it's because I was sitting down at the bench and my position to the rifle? It shouldn't be excessive pressure though since I'm using factory loads, right? I'm probably going to take a half day this Thursday or Friday and take it out to the range in the morning do do some more break-in shots and cleaning, so we'll see how this persists.

 

[Prof]

ocabj: My Savage 10FP had an extremely stiff action when I got it. With use it has loosened up some but it is still stiffer than the actions on any of my other rifles. Maybe Savage is just making its tolerances a bit too close???

 

[Keith]

I can't speak for Savage, but the last Remington Model 7 I bought was very stiff!
I degreased it and worked the bolt for 30 minutes or so and it became very sweet indeed!

Keith

 

[dakotasin]

i can't think of a single factory rifle that will allow you to open and close the action w/o disturbing the gun riding the bags. it is very common to need enough force to at least force you to get the rifle re-settled.

i seriously doubt you are getting excessive pressure... but, to be safe, are there any other pressure signs at all? goofy looking primers, or?

 

[Steve Smith]

Savages cock on opening, so not only do you have to overcome some non-polished areas on the bolt faces, but you also have to cock the firing pin spring and trigger. Unload the rife, (check twice), dry fire it, and take note of how much effort is required to open the bolt when no cartridge has been fired. The effort with a cartridge should not be much more than that.

 

[fish2xs]

I've noticed this too. Just took my 10FP to the range last weekend for the
first time and the bolt was very stiff. I suspect with time it will loosen but I
suspect it will always be somewhat stiff...

 

[Art Eatman]

A shorter firing-pin travel means faster lock-time, and a stronger spring is needed. That would add to the force required to cock the rifle. Another factor is the amount of polishing done at the factory on the camming surfaces in the bolt. Polishing will happen with use of the rifle, but a wee dab of lubricant will help.

Art

 

[ocabj]

i seriously doubt you are getting excessive pressure... but, to be safe, are there any other pressure signs at all? goofy looking primers, or?

Nope, the primers look fine. The brass is in excellent shape.

 

[Dave P]

Don't forget to keep the back side of the bolt lugs lubed, too.