The bolts are generally the same size, the bolt face openings are different (to a degree) --- did you try pushing the magazine follower down to make sure it's not catching on it?
Find a gunsmith and have him check it or send it back--- it's not right if the bolt wont close without a cartridge in the chamber.
If you were to fire a smaller cartridge case than the chamber you have, the brass will surely balloon to your chamber but may not seal and could allow gasses to escape back to your bolt face, or worse- your hand or face.
Play it safe and have a more knowledgeable person look at it when it comes to safety.
The reason for the post was to ask people more knowledgeable than myself what the possibilities are. Say they send me another bolt. This one is 6.5 Creedmoor. (The bolts aren't marked.) Will it fit and cycle in my 6.5 PRC rifle? End of question.
OK.
Here's my more knowledgeable response to your dilemma.
If I were you, I wouldn't have them send you a bolt.
Matter of fact, I can't imagine they would. That bolt needs to be fitted to that action. They need to make sure they get proper lug engagement with whatever bolt they put in there.
You know when you said the bolt wouldn't close all the way? That's because it's not the right bolt fitted to that action. The locking lugs weren't fitted properly, is my guess. If you are able to partially close the bolt, that tells me you are at least on the lug cam surface of the action.
I haven't seen the rifle.
The takeaway here is Improper lug engagement can cause devastating things to happen at 65,000 psi.
You should expect nothing less than full lug engagement, especially from a "semi custom rifle".
Send everything back. Get whatever RMA you need from them to track and reference.
Due to this situation happening with this rifle of yours and the company who made it (unnamed)
I would also ensure an independent gunsmith local to you, looked it over and gave you a "Green Light" to take it to the range and shoot it.
Ron, no one is preventing you from learning anything here. I choose not to comment on the "Possibilities", especially where safety is concerned.
Is there a scenario where a 6.5 Creed or 6 Creed would fit into a 6.5 PRC barrel. Chamber a round. And then fire that round.
It was always, would a bolt for a smaller cartridge fit in the action and cycle a round.
You are welcome Ron... but I noticed things changed a bit..
You went back and forth on your question.
Mallardhammer was not correct in the context of how I think you are taking it.
I actually took Mallardhammer's post:
"Dude..no"
To mean you were barking up the wrong tree...
The only correct answer to a very vague and ambiguous question without having the particular defined samples of bolt and action in hand is:
"Anything is possible, when the Possibilities are anything".
It doesn't really help you resolve your situation though. So it's really mental masturbation...
I swapped bolts on 2 remington 700 rifles that shoot 2 different cartridges. One in 264 win mag and one 30-06. The bolts cycle completely.
Right there is or should be enough for you to send it all back and have them make it right, and then have a local gunsmith check it over with go no go gauges, etc.
Well, certainly hoped you learned something.
(Besides thinking I'm a jerk.)
LMAO!!!
Just because they swapped and ran smoothly between 2 different guns and a standard cartridge and a magnum doesnt mean thats an answer. Your bolt raceway sounds like it not correct. When somebody says that you need to open up your bolt for a magnum cartridge its only where the head of the case goes. The outside if the bolt(where you are having problems) does not change(well it does between manufacturers etc) you need to take the firearm to a smith and get it checked out completely and fitted.please dont just swap bolts and fire. Most if not all bolts need to be fitted and tuned to the action."I swapped bolts on 2 remington 700 rifles that shoot 2 different cartridges. One in 264 win mag and one 30-06. The bolts cycle completely." THAT'S the answer I was looking for. Thanks
Just because they swapped and ran smoothly between 2 different guns and a standard cartridge and a magnum doesnt mean thats an answer. Your bolt raceway sounds like it not correct. When somebody says that you need to open up your bolt for a magnum cartridge its only where the head of the case goes. The outside if the bolt(where you are having problems) does not change(well it does between manufacturers etc) you need to take the firearm to a smith and get it checked out completely and fitted.please dont just swap bolts and fire. Most if not all bolts need to be fitted and tuned to the action.