After three years of non use I found that the bolt and safety lever on my left hand 375 would not open this morning. I thought I was crazy. Upon furthur inspection by a gunsmith we found that there was inside rust in the bolt and it was frozen. There is not a speck of rust on the exterior and the rifle is four years old.

The gunsmith says he will try to open it with penetrating oil and try to clean it. I have never had this happen with any rifle much less a dangerous game rifle. If it is pitted would you replace the bolt system if one can be found.

I am not sure I can trust it going forward.

It is a Model 70. Any thoughts?


sprig



t

real sorry to hear that

Soak it in kroil( pour it down trhe muzzel and let it sit overnight.. Then open the bolt with short wraps with a dead blow hammer. You may have used corrosive primers or had some insects nest in your gun. Most likely its just surface rust and wont make any difference. Polish the chamber with 400 grit emery cloth and if extraction of a fired round is ok the just chalk it up to bad luck and dont worry about it.-Rob

quote:

Originally posted by Robgunbuilder:
Soak it in kroil( pour it down trhe muzzel and let it sit overnight.. Then open the bolt with short wraps with a dead blow hammer. You may have used corrosive primers or had some insects nest in your gun. Most likely its just surface rust and wont make any difference. Polish the chamber with 400 grit emery cloth and if extraction of a fired round is ok the just chalk it up to bad luck and dont worry about it.-Rob

I would separate barreled action from the stock first.

If its wood, obviously, if its synthetic who cares.-rob

One thing that I have started useing when I clean my rifles is a spray can of Barracade. After I clean it up befopre I apply the regular oil I spray the rifle with the Barracade. It gets into the hard to reach cracks and cevices that you can't nomally get at. Works pretty well for me.

3 years of neglect never helps a good gun...but you have some excellent advise here...Keep it lightly oiled next time. Once you get it opened it should be fine other than perhaps ugly looking..be sure the bolt face is not rusted or pitted.

FWIW- My .50BMG bolt was plasma torched when a CCI-35 cracked at a match. I was really pissed as the bolt face had a number of .020 deep pits cut into it. Mcmillan wanted $500 for a new bolt and I did not want to re-cut it myself. I tried it out for giggles and guess what no issues on extraction, so I doubt a little rust will hurt. I'd agree, keep it oiled and keep insects away too. I've had two guns damaged by them building little nests.-Rob