Hello everyone, I have a custom built 338LM that I had built about 5 years ago. After about every 75-100 rounds that I shoot, either my bolt sticks and will not retract or after I get it out, I cannot get it back in. So, I have had to take the rifle back 3 times over the years to have something done to it. I actually do not really know what he does but I know that in one instance, he had to file down one of the lugs. I do not shoot hot loads. I reload and have shot many different charges and it seems to still happen. I know very little about Gunsmithing but it seems to me that the bolt and action may not be "beefy" enough and maybe the caliber is just to much for it. Can this be? I remember a comment that he made to me when I asked him if he could build it. He didnt want to retool the machine so he grabbed his largest bolt, put a 338 case up against the head and then said "I think this will work". That statement has always stuck with me.....hence, maybe the action and bolt can't handle the 338 load. Anyway, looking for solutions. Guess I just need to have a new action made for my rifle. Thoughts or ideas are welcomed!!! Thanks all
-
Having trouble using the site?
Contact support
Bolt sticking
- Thread starter cargator
- Start date
Hi,
Hold up!!!
So the gunsmith that you keep taking it back to for "fixes" is the same guy that built the action and bolt?
Filing down lugs would mean the possibility of the lugs actually compressing to a width beyond the intended tolerance ranges.
That is either bad design, bad alloy choice and/or bad heat treatment specifications.
Either way....post up pictures please.
Sincerely,
Theis
Hold up!!!
So the gunsmith that you keep taking it back to for "fixes" is the same guy that built the action and bolt?
Filing down lugs would mean the possibility of the lugs actually compressing to a width beyond the intended tolerance ranges.
That is either bad design, bad alloy choice and/or bad heat treatment specifications.
Either way....post up pictures please.
Sincerely,
Theis
Hi,
Now here are few pics I pulled from www of "Baitys".
Looks like throwback to the old BR actions of Hall mfg but not nearly as good looking, lol
Sincerely,
Theis
Now here are few pics I pulled from www of "Baitys".
Looks like throwback to the old BR actions of Hall mfg but not nearly as good looking, lol
Sincerely,
Theis
Hi,
Put 338LM cartridge up against that ejection port if you do not mind. It is not your issue but I would like to get a size comparison.
Also picture number 3 in post number 8......is the bottom of that lug deformed?
Also, can you take picture of the boltface?
Sincerely,
Theis
Put 338LM cartridge up against that ejection port if you do not mind. It is not your issue but I would like to get a size comparison.
Also picture number 3 in post number 8......is the bottom of that lug deformed?
Also, can you take picture of the boltface?
Sincerely,
Theis
Post 19, looks like the rear of the lug has galled substantially on the right half. So soft metal, with no grease. Do you grease or at least oil your lugs?
There is nothing coming through the action that is making contact. I have a bore scope and looked this way as well and I couldnt see anything that is or could touch the bolt. I do have the stock removed so I am going to put it back on and look for any incumbrances.
I do but maybe not enough. I clean the barrel about every 20-30 shots. I spray wipeout into the barrel and let it sit for awhile then run a patch through it and then put a little grease on the lugs. I cannot say with 100% certainty that I have greased every single time....sadly
TR, That has been my belief all along. My caliper is reading @ .6025 inside and @ .6950 OD
Many feel that the r700 platform is too small for the 338 bolt face, I tend to agree. The marginal bolt size along with improperly hardened bolt is just asking for trouble. Seeing the tooling marks on the bolt lugs makes me highly suspect of the operations used in machining that bolt. Was definitely done on a manual mill with either dull tooling, non ridged work holding or a combination of the 2. A precision made part should never have milling tracks left in it. Just my opinion. I would look into having a bolt properly made or scrap the entire action and start over, the later being the better choice unfortunately.
100% agree even though I have no gunsmithing experience at all. I do not shoot competitively but I have my own 1,000 yard range and shoot steel as often as I can. I reload for 10 LR custom rifles and this 338 is one of my most accurate but also the most frustrating. I want to replace the action but keep my barrel and my stock if possible. The stock is custom painted and goes perfectly with what the 338 is all about in my book.
I was hoping for an easy DIY fix but it's exactly what I was thinking, I just need a new action. Thanks all!!!!!!!!!!
Last edited:
Hi,
Let me help your search for gunsmiths...
You have one of the best in the industry there in North Carolina.
Disclaimer...I have no idea if he would touch your action project though.
@DAVETOOLEY
Sincerely,
Theis
Let me help your search for gunsmiths...
You have one of the best in the industry there in North Carolina.
Disclaimer...I have no idea if he would touch your action project though.
@DAVETOOLEY
Sincerely,
Theis
Much appreciated. Is my project considered a pain in the rear? Is having a new action paired to an existing barrel the last thing gunsmiths want to do or is there something I am missing? Thank you
Hi,
A new action to your existing barrel and stock (dependent upon new action) is no biggie.
I was referring to attempting to fix that action/bolt issue. I do not see any gunsmith making you a new bolt for that thing...the pure liability with not knowing if that action body is even heat treated properly would cause smiths to basically so nope, no way.
Sincerely,
Theis
On the last pic, It looks like a crack on the right side of the bottom lug through the thin wall of the bolt face. Like others have said, not enough material on a factory r700 bolt for the 338lm. Maybe ptg has a oversized bolt that’ll get it squared away
Hi,
Do yourself a favor and do not even bother to call PT&G, lol............just search PT&G threads here on SH, lololol
Sincerely,
Theis
Do yourself a favor and do not even bother to call PT&G, lol............just search PT&G threads here on SH, lololol
Sincerely,
Theis
I didn’t realize pt&g was like that nowadays. They took too long on some parts for me and refunded my money about 6 months back. I guess I was lucky that I didn’t get “PT&G’d”. Maybe MidwayUSA has a oversized bolt in stock for the guy.
Similar threads
