Model 70 Bolt Lockup

Mkraf · December 17, 2015, 07:30 AM

I've noticed that the bolt will move easily when the handle is tapped. There also seems to be some very slight side to side movement when I press on the bolt shroud. I'm not sure if this movement is from a looseness in the lug/chamber area...or the bolt to receiver fit.

The rifle is new and has about 50 rounds through it. There haven't been any problems with functionality so far.

Is this looseness a safety issue or just cosmetic?

Video of rifle here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9b2Q9pAFDvQ

Thanks

michaelcj · December 17, 2015, 08:34 AM

Chamber a dummy round and see what happens?

g.willikers · December 17, 2015, 09:17 AM

Yeah, how does it function with an actual factory new round in it?
And, most importantly, how does it shoot?

James K · December 17, 2015, 02:00 PM

Sounds normal. There is usually a little play between the cocking piece and the cam surface on the bolt body, which is what you are feeling when you move the bolt up and down. The side movement is also normal; you don't want a bolt that is a tight fit, a little dirt would put the gun out of action. So, nothing to worry about.

Jim

Mkraf · December 17, 2015, 08:34 PM

Thank you for the input everyone.

I brought the rifle over to my gunsmith today and he basically said the same thing.......today rifles are made with looser tolerances in certain areas to increase reliability.. etc etc.

I guess I'll just have to live with it unless there are oversized model 70 bolts floatin around out there.

James K · December 17, 2015, 11:30 PM

"...today rifles are made..."

I don't know what you expect, or what would meet your standards, but a pre-WWII Model 70 will do the same thing, as will almost every other bolt action on the market.

Jim

F. Guffey · December 18, 2015, 02:19 PM

I would grasp the bolt and open it, I would not be timid. If I wanted the bolt to open effortlessly I would remove the firing pin/cocking piece assemble.

F. Guffey

T. O'Heir · December 20, 2015, 01:53 PM

An oversized Model 70 bolt if there was such a thing, would require fitting by a smithy. If it sits tight with a round in the chamber(make a few DP rounds if you're going to play with it in the house. That'd be a cartridge with no powder or primer and a wee hole drilled in the case.), it's fine.

December 17, 2015, 07:30 AM	#1
Mkraf Junior Member Join Date: December 16, 2015 Posts: 2	Model 70 Bolt Lockup I've noticed that the bolt will move easily when the handle is tapped. There also seems to be some very slight side to side movement when I press on the bolt shroud. I'm not sure if this movement is from a looseness in the lug/chamber area...or the bolt to receiver fit. The rifle is new and has about 50 rounds through it. There haven't been any problems with functionality so far. Is this looseness a safety issue or just cosmetic? Video of rifle here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9b2Q9pAFDvQ Thanks

December 17, 2015, 09:17 AM	#3
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Yeah, how does it function with an actual factory new round in it? And, most importantly, how does it shoot? __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

December 20, 2015, 01:53 PM	#8
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	An oversized Model 70 bolt if there was such a thing, would require fitting by a smithy. If it sits tight with a round in the chamber(make a few DP rounds if you're going to play with it in the house. That'd be a cartridge with no powder or primer and a wee hole drilled in the case.), it's fine. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

December 17, 2015, 08:34 AM	#2
michaelcj Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2011 Location: Lopez Island, WA Posts: 279	Chamber a dummy round and see what happens?

December 17, 2015, 02:00 PM	#4
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Sounds normal. There is usually a little play between the cocking piece and the cam surface on the bolt body, which is what you are feeling when you move the bolt up and down. The side movement is also normal; you don't want a bolt that is a tight fit, a little dirt would put the gun out of action. So, nothing to worry about. Jim

December 17, 2015, 08:34 PM	#5
Mkraf Junior Member Join Date: December 16, 2015 Posts: 2	Thank you for the input everyone. I brought the rifle over to my gunsmith today and he basically said the same thing.......today rifles are made with looser tolerances in certain areas to increase reliability.. etc etc. I guess I'll just have to live with it unless there are oversized model 70 bolts floatin around out there.

December 17, 2015, 11:30 PM	#6
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	"...today rifles are made..." I don't know what you expect, or what would meet your standards, but a pre-WWII Model 70 will do the same thing, as will almost every other bolt action on the market. Jim

December 18, 2015, 02:19 PM	#7
F. Guffey Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2008 Posts: 7,249	I would grasp the bolt and open it, I would not be timid. If I wanted the bolt to open effortlessly I would remove the firing pin/cocking piece assemble. F. Guffey