Savage 12 bolt question

[Ed333]

My Savage F Open model 12 bolt has a small square of white rubbery material right beside the bolt handle, on the surface which comes down onto the receiver cutout when the bolt is closed. (Hope that is clear )
It looks like it is intended to cushion the locking of the bolt?
On my rifle it is starting to get a little chewed up, and wants to come away from the shallow inlet it is mounted into.

Can I just ignore this, or will it need to be replace? What is its function anyway, and if it gone totally, will the bolt function OK?
thanks for any advice .

 

[Nomad47]

It is just to cushion the bolt closing. Mine is gone (worn out, I think) and everything still functions fine.

 

[xs hedspace]

I've been putting a pad under the bolt handle on my target rifles for years. I feel it helps accuracy if the bolt jump is minimized as the firing pin falls. Nice to see that Savage picked up on this idea. I use thin leather. Look thru the scope as you dry fire, and see the difference in jump with a pad and without.