Model 700 question

[Egerland]

The bolt action on my (relatively) new .243 seems a bit sticky, not the smooth action I'd like.

I purchased this rifle a year ago and have fired a couple of hundred rounds through it getting it (and myself) ready for deer season.

I've used Rem oil on the bolt, but it still seems "sticky".

Any suggestions?

[NorCalFocus]

Where is it sticky? On the slide in or on the closing/locking of the bolt?Is it the same with and without ammo?

I have a feeling I know where it feels sticky and it can be fixed.

[Egerland]

Its seems sticky on the chambering and reloading during the slide, not on closing. It's the same with or without ammo.

[NorCalFocus]

Well thats not what I expected to hear lol. Damn I suck.

Any rub marks on the bolt that look like they shouldn't be there? Particularly on the bottom? As if its dragging on the magazine box.

Either way you can take it to Randall (ar15barrels on here) if your near Van Nuys. If you don't have an aftermarket trigger, get on before you go see him and let him do his magic on the bolt.

[Jeepergeo]

Did you check for scope base screws protruding into the action?

[Gunsrruss]

Forward screw

Did you check for scope base screws protruding into the action?

The forward screw on the action itself could be doing it. i had that problem on an old Mauser

[duckman1]

Its seems sticky on the chambering and reloading during the slide, not on closing. It's the same with or without ammo.

Sticky or rubbing?

Have you tried cleaning the chamber real well with a brush and some solvent? It's also a good time to look for burrs, screws or carbon causing it to stick.

[ar15barrels]

Did you check for scope base screws protruding into the action?

Screws rubbing the bolt will leave a distinct rub mark on the left/top bolt lug when it is withdrawn from the receiver.
OP should look for that.

[ar15barrels]

Its seems sticky on the chambering and reloading during the slide, not on closing. It's the same with or without ammo.

You might want to unscrew the shroud from the bolt body and add grease to the threads.
While that's apart, clean out the inside of the bolt and the spring/striker.
The inside of the bolt and the spring/striker (forward of the threads) should be left clean/dry.
The bolt shroud rotates in the bolt body on the shroud's threads and if they are not greased well, the bolt movement is not as smooth.
You should also put a small dab of grease on each bolt lug so that the lugs of the receiver and bolt are sliding on grease.
All of those mentioned parts are under tension from the striker spring.

[elalto]

I had the same problem on my 600 Mohawk, the bolt has a cam on the bottom it was rough on my bolt. I put a little bit of rubbing compound on the mating surfaces and worked the bolt 6-10 times. This solved the problem now slick as any bolt I have, be SURE to clean the compound off of the bolt before you use it.

[Egerland]

Thanks, everyone!

[duckman1]

So what was the diagnosis and the outcome?

[condor]

Years ago we used to use Gleam Toothpaste on the rails and lugs to hone the action. Worked the action while watching Dragnet on TV.... :-)