Thread: Sticky bolt?

Greetings Again Kiwijames,
Another thought. The fact that the brass chambers easily each time suggests that the dies are doing their job. I am starting to think you may have a tight spot or ring in your chamber. These do happen, even in the best rifles, and can be hard to detect. There is seldom a problem with factory rounds and the ring can't be seen looking into the chamber. You may see a slightly shiny ring on the outside of the problem brass. The problem usually shows up as hard extraction after the brass has been fired a few times. Each time the brass is fired the body work hardens a little and springs back a little less. Eventually the body does not spring back enough and you get a sticky or hard bolt lift. In your or other posts above a lack of primary extraction is with the Forbes action is mentioned. This would aggravate the problem. As far as a fix goes setting the barrel back a thread and re cutting the chamber would probably be needed but you may be able to manage the problem to an extent depending on where the ring or tight spot is. Using once fired brass for hunting should stop the problem happening in the field.
Regards Grandpamac.