Pre 64 Model 70 Sticky Bolt Problem

[Frankr]

I have a Winchester Model 70 Pre 64 in 270 Winchester. The gun is well worn (I am the second owner) and the bolt should be gliding like a well worn bolt does. I took the rifle apart and sprayed down the action with carbcleaner trying to strip off all of the oil/lube from all of the years (lots of brown varnish came off on my rag). I lubed it up afterwards (only had break free with me at the time) and still the bolt doesn't glide like it should (It feels like someone put a little bit of syrup on the action).

What else can I do to take off all of the old residue and what should I do to it after to protect the metal and lube it up?


Thanks


Also on a pre-64 is the firing pin supposed to go back even farther upon closing the bolt?

 

[Copyleader]

...Mod 70's, pre-64 Mauser style are not the smoothest of actions, especially if you're comparing them to a Rem 700 or similar. Even if you've cleaned everything and oiled it, they are still typically a little clunky and stiff simply because of the design and function of their moving parts when cycling the bolt. If it just feels like syrup, it's probably normal for a factory Mod 70. There are ways to smooth a Mod 70 action, but it's actually quite extensive if you want a very silky feel and best left to the pros. A Rem 700 is just the opposite in design and can be made extremely smooth if one knows what they're doing....as for protecting the metal, if the bluing is worn away to bare steel and looking bad, it should probably be refinished or at a minimum keep it oiled....good luck...

 

[Frankr]

Copyleader - Thanks for the answers.

Would a slick coating improve any of this (e.g. http://www.blackicecoatings.com/services.html)?

If I needed a gunsmith to fix it I would need to send in the whole action not just the bolt for polishing?


Thanks

 

[coldboremiracle]

I have a Winchester Model 70 Pre 64 in 270 Winchester. The gun is well worn (I am the second owner) and the bolt should be gliding like a well worn bolt does. I took the rifle apart and sprayed down the action with carbcleaner trying to strip off all of the oil/lube from all of the years (lots of brown varnish came off on my rag). I lubed it up afterwards (only had break free with me at the time) and still the bolt doesn't glide like it should (It feels like someone put a little bit of syrup on the action).

What else can I do to take off all of the old residue and what should I do to it after to protect the metal and lube it up?


Thanks


Also on a pre-64 is the firing pin supposed to go back even farther upon closing the bolt?

Frank, Model 70's are not clunky and stiff when they are in good working order. There are many who consider them much better, smoother than the Remington 700. I would check to see if perhaps there is a worn or misaligned part that is causing your friction. If you cant figure it out, you'd be surprised how quick a good gunsmith could probably find the problem. For that matter, there are probably a bunch of forum members (maybe even near you) that could find the problem for you. Your other question about the firing pin; I believe you are seeing what appears to be the pin moving back, but is actually just the bolt/shroud moving forward as the firing pin stays back, detained by the sear in preparation for firing.