Savage hard bolt lift

[liseo]

I have a 223 bolt action Savage.

My problem is that when I close the bolt even on empty chamber, the bolt lift is very heavy. What can be done to minimize this problem? A light weight spring?

Thanks

 

[jeff walker]

If you close the bolt on an empty chamber, then dry fire, is the bolt still hard to lift ? If so, then you need to look at other stuff like if the bolt head is hitting the action screw, or if the front of the bolt is hitting the back of the barrel. Coloring any possible contact points on the bolt head with magic marker will show you.

 

[MGYSGT]

Had scope base screw do this once.

 

[louielouie]

I just put a 'large knob' bolt handle on my older Savage LA and was surprised how it improved extraction - maybe something to do with the timing of the ramps relative to the bolt lugs - might even be because it's slightly longer giving better leverage. This is discussed on SavageShooters forum and the article there is done by the guy who runs Sharp Shooter Supply.

 

[Dgd6mm]

Be carefull with Fred's bolthandles, sometimes they have a little sloppy fit and you will not be happy. I know first hand by trying one.

 

[liseo]

..

 

[Ggmac]

Was your gun new ? Did some one change barrels ? Change firing pin or SPRING ? Are you using a good lube on cocking cam ? The other possibles have been said already , action screw too long , bolt face hitting rear of barrel . Adding a longer bolt handle will help but make sure all is correct before trying.
Freds bolt handles have been hit or miss , so has " bolt timing " all it does is shorten the amount the firing pin is cocked ( retracted ) when we did this to mausers and springfields we called it speedlocking .
It will lessen the force needed to lift

 

[Danny1788]

You can put a bolt lift kit in it, (http://forum.snipershide.com/snipers-hide-bolt-action-rifles/138052-questions-about-reducing-bolt-lift%3B-savage-action.html) or buy one from ptg, or other places make them too

 

[savageshooter86]

I have been told it is hard since Savage action cocks on the opening of the bolt

 

[Triggerman]

check your action screws, they could be too tight

 

[liseo]

Thanks fellas

I will check everything suggested.

 

[Rustystud]

If there is not a screw contacting the bolt head or bolt body check the following:

1.Take the bolt out of the action. Trip the cocking piece pin. If the cocking piece pin is held solid at the bottom of the cocking ramp then your firing pin timing may be off and need to be adjusted.

2. Check the top of the cocking ramp at the juncture of the ramp and shelf. When the ramps are machined there often is a burr that can be removed and help with cocking issues.

3. There are several bolt lift kits available some are better than others and offer additional features like externally adjustable firing pin tensions. The better bolt lift kits along with a timing and truing job will have a 40-60% bolt lift reduction.

4. The term Timing and Truing Savages incorporates multiple issues found on a factory production rifle. Some of those issues are physical and some are mechanical.
Unless you are mechanically incline, and have the machinery needed, I would recommend your send your entire action to some one who is familiar with them. You need to find a gun smith who knows and understands how to work on Savages.

Nat Lambeth