Savage Mk II g: Stiff Bolt

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MattE93

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I bought a Savage Mk II g yesterday and gave it good cleaning. I noticed the bolt is quite smooth when sliding it back and forth, but stiff when turning it down or up. My only other rifle is a milsurp K98, so this is my first new rifle and I’m not sure if this kinda thing is common on new rifles till they wear in or if I should strip the bolt down to diagnose problems.
 
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Did you put a little lube on the bolt body inside the receiver? A few drops of oil.

How about a dab of grease on the frame where the bolt handle slides down against it in order to go into battery?

If everything (bolt and receiver) are perfectly dry there could be some binding, especially with a new rifle.
 
I lubed the bolt body with a few drops of lube and then wiped it down with a rag to distribute the oil. I did not grease the frame, I will try that and see if it helps. The bolt is smooth sliding but binds slightly when it turns. It could even be that it doesn’t bind and I’m just used to my Mauser action that is silky smooth from a few hundred bolt cycles over 80 years.
 
I bought a MkII G in Sept, and found the same thing. Since then I've put about 3000 rounds through it, which seemed to loosen it up a little. When I was firing today I noticed a significant change from when I first purchased it!
 
As soon as I got it home I cleaned the bore (shocked how dirty the bore on a new firearm was) oiled the bore as unfortunately I can’t get out shooting till early December, and oiled the bolt. Is it worth pulling the bolt apart to oil in there or just wait till I can fire it to start wearing it it?
 
MattE93 said:
As soon as I got it home I cleaned the bore (shocked how dirty the bore on a new firearm was) oiled the bore as unfortunately I can’t get out shooting till early December, and oiled the bolt. Is it worth pulling the bolt apart to oil in there or just wait till I can fire it to start wearing it it?
Click to expand...

I would suggest you wait, lube & use will make it right.
 
Are you working the bolt slowly by chance? One of the differences between the bolts on the Savage Mk II and my older Lakefields is that the stud that cocks the striker rests in a notch of the bolt shroud when the bolt is open. When opening or closing the bolt slowly, you can feel the stud being cammed into and out of the notch as the bolt is turned.
 
Mine has about 1000 rounds through it so far, and it is much less stiff than it was when new. I also went at the bolt with some 400 grit wet/dry paper to knock off all the sharp edges when it was new.
 
Like others have mentioned....either shoots it lots, cycle the bolt (while watching your favourite sporting event) or hit it with some fine grit sandpaper to simulate "use"......
 
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