Gunsmithing Bolt face dent's on new Savage 338 lapua

[Grizzdude]

Well I've been breaking in the barrel and only have 7 shots through my Savage 110ba 338. I'm using factory loaded hornady match amunition. Since the first shot I noticed the bolt sticking and I would have to pull up a little hard on the bolt handle to get it to unstick. This only happens with a fired round, new bullets go in and extract smooth. I've heard of the savage 110ba's not liking hornady brass and causing sticking issues, but I noticed slight scratches on the rear of the fired brass casings. Also noticed a scratch or slight dent on the bolt face where the casings get scratched also. Just As I was taking the pictures I noticed what looks like another small dent on the bolt face where the edge of the primer would sit, this must have just happened after the 7th shot because I did not notice this before. Is this something I should contact Savage about? will it affect accuracy? could it hurt the brass? Thanks in advance

 

[19Scout77]

Re: Bolt face dent's on new Savage 338 lapua

It looks alot like boltface erosion from primer blow-by...but none of the brass has an obvious primer issue.

 

[devildogandboy]

Re: Bolt face dent's on new Savage 338 lapua

Savages' quality control isn't what it used to be, those defects have probably been there from day one. wwhat would concern me also is that scratch on the front of the bolt lug. what is it binding up against?
you have some really good pics there, i would send them to Savage and see what they have to say about it!
good luck.

 

[AJ_Goddard]

Re: Bolt face dent's on new Savage 338 lapua

Looks like a leaky primer caused some bolt erosion. I see the last cartride in the first picture looks like there is a small pin hole. In the 2nd picture(which you took at 180 degrees from the first) it is the first cartridge you can see it a little clearer. Look at that cartride under some magnification. I also see one dented moon shape on the bolt face at the lower edge of the picture that needs stoned off. You can see it is scaring the brass. If you look at the scar on the brass it is just opposite the pin hole. Just where it is on the bolt face.

 

[scythefwd]

Re: Bolt face dent's on new Savage 338 lapua

Are you having primary extraction issues in conjunction with the bolt face issues?

 

[Grizzdude]

Re: Bolt face dent's on new Savage 338 lapua

Just got off the phone with Joe DeGrande from Savage. Going to send the rifle in and Joe is personally going to handle it. He was actually interested in taking care of this as opposed to the usual "Oh man not another warranty call" you get from other companies. They are sending me a shipping label too, can't really ask for better customer service than that!

 

[Savagenut15068]

Re: Bolt face dent's on new Savage 338 lapua

Joe Degrande is one of the most professional people in the industry in my opinion , I can tell you from being at the Savage factory that they truly want to know whats wrong and make sure it doesnt happen again. Joe is a rare breed in the business.