Ptg bolt head question

[Jonl]

I just got a new Ptg bolt head for my LA savage. Switching to 6.5 x 284. The instructions said that it should be installed by gunsmith. Other than headspace which I will set are there any issues with installation. I sent the barrel of bolt to have fluted(that does make it more accurate, right) so I can't try it. It has sharp edges where the savage is rounded. I just shot a .68 group at 200 with my mcgowen barrell 22-250 and 33.4 gr. of re15 and 70 gr. Berger vlds. Can't wait to try this 6.5 x 284

 

[jonbearman]

Fluting does not make anything more accurate just lighter and the bolt may feel alittle smoother.Other than headspace,that is pretty much it unless you want the face trued in the receiver which with a savage doesn't mean much.Is the bolt sharp like a razor or just smaller chamfers on the surfaces.

 

[Jonl]

I was kidding about the accuracy. The bolt head has sharp corners unlike the Savage which is more rounded. I am counting on my custom bolt knob from ridgeway for accuracy help.

 

[MClark]

You should have sent the action and bolt along with the barrel to the smith.
He can headspace the barrel and then cut the flutes timed.
Without the action it is very likely the flutes will end up at a funky angle.

Mark

 

[mao0720]

I think he was saying that he had the bolt body or "bolt barrel" to the smith to be fluted.

 

[madderg]

The only problem I had with my new bolt head was that the recess for the cartridge was not as deep as the original Savage head. I ran the reamer by hand to the right depth and then head spaced.

 

[liltank]

The one hing my cousin ran into with his was metal chips in the ejector hole. He needed to clean it out and I believe shorten the spring a coil or two. Another issue that may arise is the firing pin protrusion. It needs to be adjusted from .050"-.055" from the bolt face. If you have played with savage bolts, it's easy to do. It needs to be done when changing from a standard bolt bolt head to a magnum bolt head. Other than that, he has been very happy win his PTG bolt heads.