Is this bolt too soft? SS galling?

[PedalBiker]

This is the bolt of an almost new (<100 rounds) Winchester 70 stainless. It looks to me like something is not holding up well. Do I need to send this to Winchester?

 

[Coltdriver]

It is pretty easy to gall a stainless bolt if you have a round that does not chamber easily.

Did you have some that were tough to close the bolt on?

 

[PedalBiker]

That is where the cocking piece rides, the firing pin spring determines the pressure.

The rear surfaces of the locking lugs are still nice and smooth.

 

[Jim K]

Check the cocking piece to see if it has a sharp edge that could cause that cutting. If so, fix the cocking piece first, then stone the bolt. If the cocking piece is OK you can try stoning the bolt cam then lubricate it. If the problem recurs, contact Winchester.

Jim

 

[PedalBiker]

Check the cocking piece to see if it has a sharp edge that could cause that cutting. If so, fix the cocking piece first, then stone the bolt. If the cocking piece is OK you can try stoning the bolt cam then lubricate it. If the problem recurs, contact Winchester.

Jim

Thanks, I did check the cocking piece and it was quite sharp. It's not so much sharp as it is angled, like it was sheared off and never machined. I stoned the end for about 15 minutes and it did smooth out a bit, but it is still not flat and I am not sure how much material I dare remove before it won't clear the sear. I put marine grade lithium grease on it and it feels better, but it just didn't seem like a long term solution. My other rifles have no visible wear other than a slight burnishing.

 

[Jim K]

It is probably time to contact Winchester.

Jim

 

[Scooter22]

I,d send that back. Thats alot of wear and it shouldn't be. Looks like metals too soft. I'd worry about the locking lugs being soft also. Maybe a bad batch of metal or heat treating.

 

[PedalBiker]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm going to try to get it fixed by Winchester. My Ruger is well over 10 years old with thousands of rounds fired and has nothing even close to that.

 

[dprice3844444]

check and lube the replacement