Thread: tight bolt

Locking lugs mainly, and the feed plates sometimes don't sit right, machining on them is somewhat rough.

Originally Posted by peril 787b

Locking lugs mainly, and the feed plates sometimes don't sit right, machining on them is somewhat rough.

Machining on the whole thing isn't exactly sako-spec haha

Wouldn't affect headspace much? Suppose it's tight to close so probably not

This is one that a mate had, snapped the bolt handle trying to open it after firing 3 or 4 rounds. He was going to throw it in a lake.
I "rescued" it, reworked the action, fitted it to a ramline synthetic stock, painted the stock with "stonecoat" modified the magazine to 3 rounds (someone on here gave me that idea, no longer stabs you in the back when carrying) shortened the barrel to 16.5" and got a DPT suppressor. It's a beauty now, smooth and surprisingly accurate.

whats it like opening and closing the bolt with no case in it

Originally Posted by peril 787b

A lot of the Bisley's can be a right pain in this respect. Get valve lapping paste from an automotive parts shop, repco or the like, and smear it all over the bolt. Work it in the action a lot, and I mean lots. You'll find it will smooth out dramatically, allowing a nice quiet closure of the bolt and allow case extraction easily. I've done 3 or 4 now, and with that work, they become a nice cheap hack rifle.

Cheers - think I'll start with this - seems the least likely for something to go wrong!
Will try and get on with it tonight and see how we go.

Originally Posted by northdude

whats it like opening and closing the bolt with no case in it

Same as without - still tight.
But with a once fired case, cannot close the bolt without huge force.

poke black felttip pen all over bolt...work it a few times and see just where it is touching.....eg where is felt worn off...that will tell the tale better than any guessing will.

That's the beauty of the grinding paste, it only works where it needs to.

colour the whole bolt with a vivid and close it. that will soon tell you where its binding up

Originally Posted by robhughes-games

colour the whole bolt with a vivid and close it. that will soon tell you where its binding up

Looks like a few of you were spot on - thanks for the suggestions guys - especially the vivid trick - thats a goody.
I now have a bolt that looks like the kids got to it - but the rear of both of the locking lugs is now shiny, and the top of one lug.
...... and of all the weird places - a tiny bit in the corner of the bolt handle itself.
Oh and the feed ramps on the mag well need some serious loving.
Got some grinding paste coming from a good guy - so hopefully get this done over the weekend.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions - its looking like you've saved me some $$$ to go buy some ammo with
Will update after the polishing.

Just to end this thread.
Rear of the locking lugs were the main culprits - and the feed lips definitely deserved a polish.
Now have a much smoother and kinder action.
I did note that my mates one has the side of the firing pin lug(?) shaved also, not sure what that is for, tempted to try.

So its not a Sako - but its a nice wee cheap bushpig for the goats that saves traffic on my primary rifles barrel.
And at $75 for 100 rounds or Tulammo or Barnual - its cheap fun.

Had bit of a blast last weekend, happily head-shooting goats freestanding at modest distances.
http://i790.photobucket.com/albums/y...load/JW103.jpg

Well done!