Bolt Drops down

[Rick Ratzlaff]

I'm almost embarrassed to ask this question. I don't get it.

I have watched for years High End completive shooters demonstrate AND ADVISE that bolts should drop down into position on a case with only gravity pull.

I bought my first gun in the 60's and started hand loading (7mm Mag). Every time I closed the bolt (after FL sizing), it closed a little tight. Not alarming tight, just took a bit of effort. Mauser action in a Parker Hale. When I asked my mentor and store owners they said the reamer was just a bit different than the chamber in the +/- tolerances. I got between 12 and 15 loads out of cases. I got around 12-1500 rounds through the barrel.

My logic says, if a bolt can close on a round, dropping on it's own weight, then the case is a smidge shorter and skinnier than the chamber. That means there must be expansion to the chamber size on explosion. That means firing, re-sizing, firing, resizing, on and on, means flexing the brass every time.

My logic says, that a better/closer fit between case and chamber gets flexed less, therefor SHOULD last longer? I have yet to see any field testing for precision between there two case theories.

So help my logic. There must (assuming) something wrong with my thinking. What is it?

 

[243winxb]

" bolts should drop down into position on a case with only gravity pull."

Custom actions may be different?? OR the bolt must be completely stripped. Did not watch any videos.

A Rem 700- As the bolt is closed and locked, the top of the sear engages a notch or angle on the bottom of the cocking piece. This engagement is what holds the powerful force of the compressed firing pin spring at bay, preventing it from moving forward.

I would guess, this keeps the bolt from locking, on its own weight?

Every time I closed the bolt (after FL sizing), it closed a little tight.

Mine is because the unsized part of the neck has expanded to the chamber, after many rounds fired. . No spring back.

 

[Allen Corneau]

... I have watched for years High End completive shooters demonstrate AND ADVISE that bolts should drop down into position on a case with only gravity pull.

... So help my logic. There must (assuming) something wrong with my thinking. What is it?

That's with a stripped bolt (no firing pin). You're not going to get that with a complete bolt that is compressing the firing pin spring.

 

[ShtrRdy]

That's with a stripped bolt (no firing pin). You're not going to get that with a complete bolt that is compressing the firing pin spring.

No firing pin or ejector installed. Just the bolt body. First try it with the bolt body only. It should easily drop into the closed position due to the weight of the bolt handle.

 

[Rick Ratzlaff]

Ah that makes sense that the firing pin and ejector are out. Da, I knew it must be simple, but....Thanks All

 

[Fast14riot]

As the sear holds the firing pin back, the bolt lugs are what it is pulling against. Grease your bolt lugs. As to brass fit in the chamber, keep using a full length sizing die, it will help keep your brass the same size every time (consistency) and anneal your brass if you want it to last longer.