Rifle bolt suddenly stiff to open

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Rifle bolt suddenly stiff to open

Post by horter » 03 Nov 2013, 11:27 am

Hi guys,

I need some help with some bolt trouble on my .30-06.

All has been running smoothly for some time.

Reasonably out of no where, my bolt is suddenly quite stiff to move up on the cocking lift, and still stiff on the down movement.

Was shooting away happily at the range, no problems.

The stiffness came in over 3-4 shots maybe that I noticed?

Where to start?
Ruger Hawkeye All Weather in .30-06
Sako L61R 7mm Rem Mag
Sako L461 Vixen .222 Rem
Savage 42 combination 22 WMR/410 bore
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horter
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Re: Rifle bolt suddenly stiff to open

Post by Aster » 03 Nov 2013, 11:39 am

As you didn't mentioned it, I'll assume there were no signs of a misfire or hot cartridge etc...

When was the last time you cleaned the bolt?
See you on the firing line.
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Re: Rifle bolt suddenly stiff to open

Post by Hardcast » 03 Nov 2013, 3:08 pm

Yep, I'd say clean the chamber and the bolt.
Any hot loads gone through.?
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Re: Rifle bolt suddenly stiff to open

Post by horter » 03 Nov 2013, 3:14 pm

Hi guys,

No hot loads. Factory ammo and hand loads which were well within safe range only.

For cleaning, it's had the exterior cleaned after every shoot.

Never stripped it down completely and done the internals though...
Ruger Hawkeye All Weather in .30-06
Sako L61R 7mm Rem Mag
Sako L461 Vixen .222 Rem
Savage 42 combination 22 WMR/410 bore
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Re: Rifle bolt suddenly stiff to open

Post by Lorgar » 03 Nov 2013, 3:16 pm

Yeah, doesn't sound like a big thing.

I'd say the internals of your bolt need a clean.

Ruger do one of their Tech Tip videos on how to disassemble it. Piece of cake.
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Re: Rifle bolt suddenly stiff to open

Post by Lorgar » 03 Nov 2013, 3:17 pm

Here you go.

About a minute and a half in...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpdF0LL8-QQ
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Re: Rifle bolt suddenly stiff to open

Post by Hercl » 03 Nov 2013, 3:49 pm

The bolt internals don't need cleaning every time, but they do gum up after a while.

If you haven't cleaned it before this would be my bet too.
What is this "too many rifles" you speak of?
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Re: Rifle bolt suddenly stiff to open

Post by Warrigul » 03 Nov 2013, 6:41 pm

horter wrote:Hi guys,

I need some help with some bolt trouble on my .30-06.

All has been running smoothly for some time.

Reasonably out of no where, my bolt is suddenly quite stiff to move up on the cocking lift, and still stiff on the down movement.

Was shooting away happily at the range, no problems.

The stiffness came in over 3-4 shots maybe that I noticed?

Where to start?


Have you checked your empty cases for pierced or blown primers?

VERY common cause of a suddenly stiff bolt, a primer pierces and a bit forces its way down past the firing pin and lodges and jams things up, I have see it a few times.
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Re: Rifle bolt suddenly stiff to open

Post by horter » 04 Nov 2013, 6:23 am

Warrigul wrote:Have you checked your empty cases for pierced or blown primers?

VERY common cause of a suddenly stiff bolt, a primer pierces and a bit forces its way down past the firing pin and lodges and jams things up, I have see it a few times.


All the brass is gone, so I can't check.

Stripping it right down and cleaning it today so we'll see shortly what the problem is.
Ruger Hawkeye All Weather in .30-06
Sako L61R 7mm Rem Mag
Sako L461 Vixen .222 Rem
Savage 42 combination 22 WMR/410 bore
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