Bolt sticking on '98 Mauser action

wildcat westerner · May 5, 2019

hello,
I am going through and older rifle of mine, alightweight used for Mountain hunting. Last time was 1978,mountain goat in British Columbia. It will be a backup rifle in December.
Th action is Herters, medium length, the correct size for the 6.5 Remington magnum. The bolt, with the chamber empty, cocks easily enough, but it requires effort to move the bolt rearward. The rifle is clean, and I don't remember the rifle as acting this way in the past.
I could use some experienced advice on what it's going to take to smoothen the action once again.

WW

rocky 59 · May 5, 2019

wildcat westerner said:
hello,
I am going through and older rifle of mine, alightweight used for Mountain hunting. Last time was 1978,mountain goat in British Columbia. It will be a backup rifle in December.
Th action is Herters, medium length, the correct size for the 6.5 Remington magnum. The bolt, with the chamber empty, cocks easily enough, but it requires effort to move the bolt rearward. The rifle is clean, and I don't remember the rifle as acting this way in the past.
I could use some experienced advice on what it's going to take to smoothen the action once again.

WW

Drop the bottom plate and see if it hangs up with the follower out of it. Could be something as simple as the follower out of whack and hanging up the bolt.

therifleman556 · May 5, 2019

Is this is a military action? You could have a bedding issue causing the receiver to flex near the thumb cutout. Try loosening the action screws and run the bolt again.

Zhunter · May 5, 2019

Could be the rear area of the stock is compressing and either the rear action screw is hitting the bolt or the bolt shroud is now contacting the stock.

Bob Wright · May 5, 2019

Zhunter said:
Could be the rear area of the stock is compressing and either the rear action screw is hitting the bolt or the bolt shroud is now contacting the stock.

My Argentine 98 with a laminated stock gave me a lot of stock crush. I agree, the back action screw may be interfering with bolt or the bolt is dragging on the stock. Pillar bedding (among other accuracy issues) was very helpful to fix the wood stock crush.

just country · May 6, 2019

morning, one of the mauser models cocks the bolt
while moving forward. I can not remember the model.
possibly the 96 model. if still in doubt take to
a good smithy for inspection. justme gbot tum

wildcat westerner · May 6, 2019

Thanks to all who offered an opinion. I tried much of the suggestions for my Herters 98 Mauser and nothing helped, but I looked a little more closely and note when pushing the bolt forward there is resistance the last 3/16" of an inch, and that is where the restriction is also at, when attempting to extract, eject and load another cartridge.

WW

wildcat westerner · May 9, 2019

Hello Folks,
I have caught a break and my gunsmith who had retired has agreed to find the problem and fix it on the same day, this Saturday. I wont mind the four hour turnaround drive to get this problem finally solved. Thanks a lot for your input.
WW

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Bolt sticking on '98 Mauser action

wildcat westerner

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rocky 59

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therifleman556

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Zhunter

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Bob Wright

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just country

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wildcat westerner

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wildcat westerner

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