Model 70 Bolt issue

[lil_juiced_coupe]

Just picked up a mint Winchester model 70 in 308. gun functioned flawlessly, field stripped it and cleaned it. Went to reassemble it and when i went to work the bolt it was super stiff to lock into place. took the bolt apart, cleaned firing pin, reassembled and it worked fine. cycled the action 10-15 times and all of a sudden the bolt went stiff again when trying to lock it into place.

any one experienced this?

 

[Omenator]

Try putting some grease on the cocking cam and the bolt lugs, sounds like a galling issue.

 

[chuck nelson]

Try putting some grease on the cocking cam and the bolt lugs, sounds like a galling issue.

I agree with that.

 

[mrgoat]

Try putting some grease on the cocking cam and the bolt lugs, sounds like a galling issue.

OR; if you have tightened the front action bolt to tight and it is slightly protruding into the action and the bolt is binding on it. My older push feed M-70 would do this. Also is this issue with the safety fully off or at half? Set at half, the action should be very smooth with no resistance. When fully off the action will still be smooth but you will feel a resistance during the final stage of the bolt closure. You may also check that you don't have some crud floating around in the lug channels.
Your issue sounds odd from the point you say it worked well before cleaning and after cleaning the problem arose. I would suspect something didn't go back correctly. M-70 bolts have to taken apart with the safety set at half, if not their hard to reassemble.

Hope this helps and gives you some ideas.

 

[marcoman]

Try putting some grease on the cocking cam, sounds like a galling issue.

This. Had a Weatherby that did the same.