Heavy Bolt Lift Confusion - Ruger Predator 6.5 CM

wapitiaddict

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I have a Ruger Predator in 6.5 creedmoor. I run a suppressor. Shooting factory Hornady Hunter Precision 143gr eldx. Shooting temperature is 75 degrees.

I started getting heavy bolt lift shooting my rifle last fall. Coincidentally, it actually seemed to be worse the colder it was. That didn't seem to make sense. I probably should have worried more about it than I did, because I just kept on shooting it and dealt with the sticky bolt. Although, it wouldn't do it every time.

Fast forward to today, I decided to do something about it. I realized I hadn't cleaned it for a while...but groups still seemed to be good and I hadn't noticed any performance issues. However knowing that suppressors create even more fouling, I figured it was well past time to clean it and maybe that was causing the excessive pressure. Also, I know suppressors can cause pressure issues, but I just kept on forgetting to test fire it without the suppressor. So yesterday I cleaned up the rifle real well, left the suppressor off, and then stepped out back to give it a test fire to see if the heavy bolt lift resolved itself. However - to the contrary...the heavy bolt lift was even worse. This time I almost didn't think I would be able to get the bolt open. Also, when I would lift the bolt handle up it would give a "click at the top" where it would click back down at the top of the lifting stroke if I let off pressure. (By the way, I didn't realize this was a thing until I just google what I was experiencing.) Could this indicate a headspace issue?

One other thing that I've noticed, I've got a small nick in the metal on the corner edge of the breach/chamber where the case goes in (sorry, don't know the best terminology of how to explain it). Maybe its from a round that didn't go in straight and was jammed or got caught against this edge and created a nick. Also, my brass has a scrape line that goes all the way around it about 2/3 up from the case head (1/3 way down from the mouth). Is that normal?

What else could be going on? Ironically, I haven't tried a different ammo since I always just kind of dealt with the sticky bolt thinking it was just the suppressor, and I didn't notice any accuracy performance issues. I'm going to go buy a box of different stuff and see if that helps. But just was wondering if anyone had any other ideas.
 

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Looks like a chamber reaming problem. Contact Ruger and show them the pics. I'm guessing the reamer picked up a chip and gouged the chamber 2/3rds the way up. This in turn will hang up your brass when it expands into that groove in the chamber.

Thanks! I was wondering about that. I'll give Ruger a call and see what they have to say.
 
Update...I took the rifle to my gunsmith and he quickly confirmed what you guys suggested. I called Ruger and sounds like they will warranty it once they confirm that's what's going on. They sent me a shipping label and I just dropped it off at the shipper today. We'll see how long it takes to get the rifle back, but I'm glad it sounds like they are going to handle the issue.

Hopefully they will just throw a new barrel on it. I imagine that would be the quickest, easiest, and cheapest thing for them to do. I can't imagine the barrel costs them much.
 
Looks like a chamber reaming problem. Contact Ruger and show them the pics. I'm guessing the reamer picked up a chip and gouged the chamber 2/3rds the way up. This in turn will hang up your brass when it expands into that groove in the chamber.

Update....I called Ruger and they said to send it in. About two weeks ago I shipped it to them (took one week just to get there). Just got a reply from them saying that they warrantied it, fixed it, and shipped it back. I called in and sounds like they replaced the barrel with a new on.

Great customer service. Very fast turn around... Only took them a week to repair. Very happy they took care of me on this. Won't hesitate to buy more Ruger firearms.

Thanks to those who helped me diagnose the problem.
 
wow quick turn around time I have never had to deal with Ruger but it seems like it was painless good for them
 
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Just a side note I have had great luck with Ruger Customer service. I had a buddy drop one of my Ruger Vaquaro's on his driveway and bent the front site, put a big dinger in the frame and on the barrel. I called them and said it was not their fault but I wanted to fix it. They said sent it in and they would give me a quote. One week later I had it back fully fixed and they said it was just fixed under warranty no cost to me. Their customer service has been pheonominal for me. Glad they took care of you as well.
 
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