bolt is tight when closing

[jpx0123]

Hello all I took my Howa Axiom and Rem 700 to the range during the last few months (indoor range, don't have time to get out to a decent outdoor range for 100yard shooting) and noticed that my bolt is a bit tight sometimes when loading the round. I have been using ammo purchased from the range, but it is new not reloaded. at first I thought my action screws were in too tight so I got a torque driver to check them and I put them at the 60-65lb range. before the adjustment I used snap caps and they worked very smoothly. I have not tried different ammo yet but wanted to get some opinions on the matter. any ideas? maybe 1 or 2 rounds per box, I really have to try to close the bolt, the rest are a little tight but nothing major. and some are pretty smooth. I thought head spacing at first but they are both factory spaced. only the rem 700 I changed out the stock to a houge overmold that I had. axiom is all stock no changes whatsoever. is it supposed to be like that or do I need to get something checked out?

thanks

[bsumoba]

need more info...

what ammo mfg is it?

if it is happening sometimes, it could be that you have a tight chamber or maybe the rounds you are using is not very good or re-manufactured?

[LynnJr]

Tight on closing is usually headspace and tight on opening is the area right in front of the web.

If some rounds feed fine and some are tight its most likely the shoulders needing to be pushed back to a uniform length.

[ar15barrels]

If it's tight with or without ammo, that's a screw rubbing the bolt.

If it's free moving without ammo and then tight with ammo, it's likely a headspace issue.
It could be tight gun headspace OR long ammo headspace.
No way to tell without measuring everything...

[BDH]

If it's a screw, you should see the wear pattern on the bolt - then an easy fix. As stated if on closing, it's headspace or rounds seated out too long.

Bruce

[postal]

Well....

You said shooting range reloads....

Ammo is out of spec. most likely.

Does it do it with factory ammo at all?

I bet your guns are fine, and its the crappy reloads from the indoor range causing you problems.

[jpx0123]

Sorry, I didn't check who the manufacturer was. they were new. NOT reloads at the range. I just purchased the ammo at the range.

to be more clear. I would say out of a box of 20, there are maybe 3 rounds that are difficult to close the bolt. about half of that is slightly tight, the rest is better, but still feel just a little tightness as closing.

when using my snap caps. there is not tightness or resistance whatsoever. not sure if this is any indicator.

if it is headspacing, is that possible from a new gun from factory?

thanks

[jpx0123]

next time I go. which may not be for some time I find out manufacturer. I would use my GMM I have but I feel its such a waste to use at a indoor 25yard range.

[LynnJr]

The chances of you buying two guns from two manufacturers both with chamber headspace problems is highly unlikely

The most likely problem is bad ammo.

Factory ammo is not the best to begin with and your statement that some works and some doesn't is proof that even new ammo is less than perfect.

I would try and cycle 40 rounds of your gold medal match through each gun as a gauge to see if it chambers any better.

If it wasn't two guns with the same problem I would look at the locking lug area for debris.Two or three kernels of powder in the locking lug recess of a 700 will give you grey hair.

[ar15barrels]

to be more clear. I would say out of a box of 20, there are maybe 3 rounds that are difficult to close the bolt. about half of that is slightly tight, the rest is better, but still feel just a little tightness as closing.

when using my snap caps. there is not tightness or resistance whatsoever. not sure if this is any indicator.

if it is headspacing, is that possible from a new gun from factory?

Clearly, the ammo is the problem.
I bet that if you measured the headspace length of the ammo that you would see the variation in the measurements that you are feeling in the bolt handle.

[waveslayer]

Sounds like the brass want sized all the way.

[stephewc]

My guess is that the brass was not properly resized while reloading.

[jpx0123]

Ok. Looks like I'll have to take a couple of boxes of my gmm out next time to cycle them and see.

[postal]

You can pull the firing pin out of the bolt and cycle the ammo through the action at home without worry of an AD.

[pontiacpratt]

PPU ammo? I bought a couple hundred rounds of their match stuff to try. All the brass was too thick on the rim. Had difficultly closing the bolt and when I went to reload the PPU brass it wouldn't fit on the proper shell holder.