New to the bolt action (LTR)...seems hard to cycle

[RetardedTiming]

Rem 700 LTR .308

This is my first bolt action rifle. Is it me being a noob to this action or is it normal to not feel very smooth chambering a round.

Are there things that can be done to improve the feel? Just seems like a follow-up shot takes longer than it should because of the force needed to chamber a round and re-focus on the target.

 

[Northland]

Re: New to the bolt action (LTR)...seems hard to cycle

A new factory Remington is usually not smooth. The finish is rough and kind of gritty. Just keep cycling it and it'll smooth out.

 

[RetardedTiming]

Re: New to the bolt action (LTR)...seems hard to cycle

Ok, thanks Northland. Kind of what I figured but thought maybe there was something not right with it. Would be nice to be able to stay focused on the target while cycling a round without having to hold it so tight.

Maybe there's a better way to brace it on the bench?

 

[vman]

Re: New to the bolt action (LTR)...seems hard to cycle

After about 100 rounds it will loosen up.

Feeding it forward will be smoother, and even closing the bolt handle down will feel easier.

I recently noticed the "stiffness" on a brand new rem 700 a friend purchased, but after about 100 rounds things have changed.

 

[tfre3927]

Re: New to the bolt action (LTR)...seems hard to cycle

I'm finding the same thing with my XCR - it's been getting better, though. I keep the bolt well oiled and I'm putting a badger bolt knob on soon. I know after a few more hundred rounds it'll be beautifully smooth. Cheers

 

[Remoah]

Re: New to the bolt action (LTR)...seems hard to cycle

All new rifles are a bit harsh mate.
If your really worried about range-time and how stiff it is to feed, load up some dummy rounds using spent casings and cylce them through until you feel it loosen.

 

[callen3615]

Re: New to the bolt action (LTR)...seems hard to cycle

Mine was kinda stiff but after dry firing it abunch it got better.

 

[Derrick300]

Re: New to the bolt action (LTR)...seems hard to cycle

Grab a few beers and a good movie and cycle it the whole time your watching and it should be much better.

 

[RetardedTiming]

Re: New to the bolt action (LTR)...seems hard to cycle

That's a great idea! I have a bunch of snap caps in the safe and didn't even think about that.

Alright, now I just need to decide which movie I'm going to watch. I'm thinking some cold Goose Island Matilda and Hitman. Ha!

Thanks a ton for the suggestions!

 

[JamieD]

Re: New to the bolt action (LTR)...seems hard to cycle

Keep working the bolt and it will smooth out. Make sure you lube the back of the lugs as well.

JamieD

______________________________
Jamie Dodson
Wolf Precision
814-262-7994

AI Stocks and Accessories

 

[neo223]

Re: New to the bolt action (LTR)...seems hard to cycle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JamieD</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Keep working the bolt and it will smooth out. Make sure you lube the back of the lugs as well.

+1


amieD ______________________________
Jamie Dodson
Wolf Precision
814-262-7994

AI Stocks and Accessories
</div></div>

 

[KeithR41]

Re: New to the bolt action (LTR)...seems hard to cycle

Learn how to load your bipod and position your body properly. This will allow you to manage the recoil for faster follow-ups.

41

 

[fish30114]

Re: New to the bolt action (LTR)...seems hard to cycle

Well first of all, I hope the other posters are right, and you just need to 'wear it in' a bit. The problem with cyberspace is that feel is hard to convey. If it so stiff that it's hard to keep on the target reasonably, I would wonder a bit about that.

Having said that, Remingtons straight out of the box have been all over the map for me, recent production stuff and older too, over the last 25 yrs or so. From loose to grindy to tight and everywhere in between, and I think it's just tolerance stack...mostly

I would go light on lube on the bolt, you don't want to attract grit etc. into the equation--as others have stated the back of the lugs needs a tiny spot on each lug....I will say that I have cycled a few of my actions into obedience, and yes, when dry firing more than a few times, I always use a snap cap too. I think that firing between cycles is important as it gives you the true sense of the bolt lift required to cam the firing pin spring into the cocked position.

On a couple of them I tried using lapping compound, helped the situation, but what a bitch to clean out!

Hope it snaps into shape for you.

 

[21Bravo]

Re: New to the bolt action (LTR)...seems hard to cycle

It will smooth out with use. I have an LTR I've put just shy of 1300 rounds through in the past year. The bolt is exponentially smoother than it was when I bought it.

I picked up a new Rem 700 to use as a donor action for a custom build the other day. When I cycled the action I noticed how rough "gritty" it felt compared to my LTR now. I also recall my LTR action felt pretty much the same way when I purchased it.

HTH,

Craig

 

[RetardedTiming]

Re: New to the bolt action (LTR)...seems hard to cycle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KeithR41</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Learn how to load your bipod and position your body properly. This will allow you to manage the recoil for faster follow-ups.
</div></div>

If I understand what you mean by loading my bipod, I would need some sort of stationary stop on the bench I'm shooting from to "pinch" the rifle between it and my shoulder, correct? I can see how that would help, but unfortunately the bench at the range is completely flat. It's an indoor 100yds and the only position possible is sitting on a stool behind the bench. No prone shooting possible.

Happy to hear others loosen up with use as well. Thanks for that! Had some time tonight to sit down and cycle a few times...