Thread: Looking for advice. Replacement bolt and magazine

Hi this is my first time on this forum. I am needing some good advice. Unfortunately I have lost my rifle bolt and magazine and suppressor. Its for a 243 Prohunt Steyr. I have contacted a supplier for a replacement they then corresponded with Steyr.

The reply (from Steyr) was a bolt could be ordered but the price range was $800 to $1500 with a 12month to 18month wait. Steyr also wanted a 50% deposit. Which I find pretty crazy.

With the magazine bolt etc I'm wondering if it better just to write the rifle off. Its a hell of a shame as it's a really nice rifle and would be a heck of a waste.
Its the bolt is the sticking point, magazines and suppressors are readerly available.

I would appreciate any ideas people have.

Thanks cheers footfall01

Advertise it for sale. Might be someone out there with a bolt, mag and suppressor but no rifle.

first question is HOW??? were they lost in first place
I guess for the manufacturer.... the ywould rather you buy a whole new rifle......buying another the same in different calibre might work,one bolt used in two rifles...headspace all correct etc.... but thats still a big cost.
there is always and will always be a degree of suspicion around rifles like this.......by NOT selling new bolts it makes it harder to get a rifle stolen from someones safe working again..... might be a thing,might not.

While you're waiting for replies why don't you pop onto the introductions section and tell us a bit more about yourself?

This will be an interesting thread. I've seen so many comments about lost bolts that I've mused buying a spare bolt and mag for my rifle (yes I only have one!). Not wanting to open a debate, but one possibly helpful thing about the register is you could link your new bolt's serial number to your rifle. That might be a good thing when thinking about MD's point about making stolen rifles serviceable again.


Identify your target beyond all doubt because you never miss (right?) and I'll be missed.

Can you claim on insurance for the lost bolt and magazine?

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

first question is HOW??? were they lost in first place
I guess for the manufacturer.... the ywould rather you buy a whole new rifle......buying another the same in different calibre might work,one bolt used in two rifles...headspace all correct etc.... but thats still a big cost.
there is always and will always be a degree of suspicion around rifles like this.......by NOT selling new bolts it makes it harder to get a rifle stolen from someones safe working again..... might be a thing,might not.

Hence my statement. I was wondering if we lost a bolt or found a rifle.

I have a sneaking suspicion that they will all be together wherever they were last put

be a good time to save yourself a grand or more and do a big spring clean and find the originals

Hiya, I was an insurance assessor for many years and now working as a Gunsmith so can offer the following thoughts:

We had many claims where bolts were lost and always just wrote the guns off, in most cases, you just can't get a replacement bolt and if you can it really needs to be checked out for headspace etc. prior to use, which further adds costs and is in mist cases just not economically viable.

As for claiming, Insurance is for sudden accidental events (most I dealt with were the results of burglaries), you might not get too far if you just say you lost, are you sure its not kicking around at home somewhere?

Best of luck but you are most likely better off getting another gun and selling the old one, they are always wanted for parts or a barrel.

Claim insurance on lost bolt or sell the action, barrel etc and get a new rifle. Getting a new bolt from any manufacturer will end up costing nearly as much as a new rifle once you factor in gunsmithing costs etc.

Thanks everyone for all your advice I really apricate you spending some time . I am following up most of those thoughts, including writing off the rifle which would be a hell of a shame. In case people were wondering it was a bag that was lost will all the items in it while traveling. Its really a nightmare, other than the money and dealing with the police, you also look like a total muppet, because you are! a total muppet. I hadn't thought about replacing bolts for stolen rifles but I guess it makes sense why they are so expensive and difficult to get. I will see what the insurance say, if anything and then make a decision.

thanks everyone cheers footfall01

Amanda,gunworks wrote to my insurance company saying bolt was half the cost of a new rifle and a years wait for a new bolt.Insurance payed out for a new rifle no problem.Under house contents insurance.

Bolts can get lost very easily.

Found this one for the very happy owner after back tracking over every step we had made during the day.
Looked down while standing in the stream bed and hey presto.

Tikkas, you can put safety on with cocked bolt,no bullet up the spout.Bolt is locked in for that long walk you are doing.No fear of bolt falling out.Guess you can do that with most rifles,not sure.

With the new laws around security in vehicles and the bolt being seperate there are going to be a lot more bolts lost or miss placed.