Remington bolt

[Bravo 4]

Shooting my .338 UltraMag a couple days ago, trying to tighten groups with some Hammer bullets. The loads I've been shooting are not max, and had actually fired a starting load when the bolt felt weird opening and didn't want to slide back with ease. Pulling the bolt back took quite a bit of effort. Brass and primer looked fine, but then the bolt didn't want to close without effort on an empty chamber. Pulled it out and seen the ring around the bolt near the bolt head. I've had this rifle a few years (bought used) and have shot out one barrel and have a few hundred more since rebarreled in December. Sent the pics to my go-to gunsmith and he said that is where the bolt and head are silver soldered together.
Besides getting new bolt (and making sure headspace is correct), should I be worried about anything else?

Edit: sorry about the pic, lots of shade trees in my yard, but you can see the ring pretty well.

 

[EddieHarren]

Was the action "trued" when re-barreled?

 

[Bravo 4]

No Sir, nothing further done to the rifle.

 

[Timnterra]

What do the back of the bolt locking lugs look like? Is there galling on the bolt lugs? I assume there would also be wear on the lug abutments inside the receiver, because the bolt and receiver share the stress equally.

 

[Timnterra]

Food for thought, monolithic bullets naturally build higher pressures than conventional bullets, and RUM cartridges tend to have have strange pressure spikes when there is not enough free-bore. Hard bolt lift is a sign of excessive pressure even if other signs are not present.

 

[Bravo 4]

Thanks for the feedback.
I don't think it was over pressure, this was a low starting load for a a heavier grain bullet and had low velocity. I stripped the bolt down and it is just hanging up, kinda seems like the head had twisted a little on the bolt...???
Don't know.
I'm probably going to get a new action. I don't think I can trust this thing again.

 

[Timnterra]

Thanks for the feedback.
I don't think it was over pressure, this was a low starting load for a a heavier grain bullet and had low velocity. I stripped the bolt down and it is just hanging up, kinda seems like the head had twisted a little on the bolt...???
Don't know.
I'm probably going to get a new action. I don't think I can trust this thing again.

That's a new one for me, I'd call Remington and see if they will warranty the bolt.

 

[Bravo 4]

That's a new one for me, I'd call Remington and see if they will warranty the bolt.

Tried that earlier today, since it has been rebarreled they will not touch it.

 

[HARPERC]

.....I'm probably going to get a new action. I don't think I can trust this thing again...........

I have one hanging over my bench for a visual reminder.

 

[philipbrousseau]

probably nothing wrong with the receiver. i'd let my gunsmith check it out and get a new bolt if that is all that is needed.

 

[Bravo 4]

Yes sir, that's in the works.
Finding a bolt is the problem. Left hand-long action-magnum bolt face are made from a dominant male unicorn baculum (and they are the unicorn of the unicorn family, very hard to find). Or made by PTG, and there is a several month wait and cost more than what I can get a donor rifle for...I called.

 

[philipbrousseau]

ah. left handed. i have the same condition. good luck with your rifle.

 

[Bravo 4]

Yep, seems to be an affliction in the shooting world.

 

[Edd]

You've heard the cliche "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade".

Order a bolt without the handle from PTG. If you are fortunate enough to actually receive it, you can then send your action to someone that can properly time it and it will work better than it ever has.