Warped action??

Kilo Charlie

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Some time ago I bought a used Model 70. Not knowing any better, I cinched all 3 action screws down fairly tight, though judging from the compressed wood under the triggerguard, I wasn't the first.
The action was slick; now it's a bit rough. I read somewhere that tightening the centre screw can warp the action. I backed mine off to just snug, but the problem persists. Can the action actually be warped in this manner, or should I look for another cause?
 
it certainly can be bent while under tension but it should spring back when the screw is released. I don't think you would be able to bend it enough to yield the metal with that little screw....but maybe you just proved that you can bend it....not hard to straighten it out if it is bent....I once bought an old Mauser action that was bent about 1/16" of an inch...a couple pieces of 2x4 and a rubber mallet and it was straight again...
 
Tighten the front 2 screws to about 65 inch pound and the rear screw just tight enough it doesn't fall out. Is the action bedded? This may help if you bed the action.
 
With all the screws loose the action should not be "bent". What makes you think it is bent?

On most three screw actions, if the bedding is correct, the front and rear screws should be quite tight, and the middle screw barely tight. Often I will put a little blue loctite on the middle screw to hold it there...
 
Remove the action from the stock. Does the issue clear up. Check for bolts that are too long that just might interfear with the action sliding smoothly.
I once "fixed" a mauser 98 action that wouldn't open up because the guy had cranked in the rear stock bolt until it blocked the cocking piece from opening.
 
Bent Action ???

10x said:
Remove the action from the stock. Does the issue clear up. Check for bolts that are too long that just might interfear with the action sliding smoothly.
I once "fixed" a mauser 98 action that wouldn't open up because the guy had cranked in the rear stock bolt until it blocked the cocking piece from opening.

10X is probably right about one or more screws being too long. Just loosen all three screws a bit and then cycle the bolt. If that fixes the problem then tighten each one seperately to determine which one is too long - then shorten that screw. I'd bet good money your action is not bent.
 
Thanks gents...will try. Unfortunately the left rail has a slight bit of galling; it makes the bolt chatter a bit. I knew already that the rear action screw was a bit long; I shimmed the triggerguard a bit to compensate.
 
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