On my 1886 the right locking bolt is a little loose compared to the left side. I can only find 1 reference to this searching the internet. Is this normal? Just curious as it feeds and shoots fine. Any info and insight appreciated.

Loose when? When the rifle is empty or there is a cartridge chambered?

Empty.

Don't worry about it. Even if a cartridge were chambered, it would not put pressure on the lugs. You could put some tape on a case and force the bolt closed and then see if the bolt was pressed against the locking lugs equally.
In any case, not to worry; the 45-70 pressure is so low you don't even need locking lugs.
Don't try that though, although PO Ackley did fire a 94 Win in 30-30 Improved with no locking bolt. Nothing to report. Fired normally.

That will work as I do just shoot it. Just wondering if this is normal across the range of these fine rifles.

Those two locking lugs set the headspace, they can be replaced. Jim Wisner sent me set for my 94 and my 348 Win. they worked like a charm, they come in 3 sizes (or did) and/or a custom fit to size. Its an easy and proper fix..

quote:

Originally posted by dpcd:
Don't worry about it. Even if a cartridge were chambered, it would not put pressure on the lugs. You could put some tape on a case and force the bolt closed and then see if the bolt was pressed against the locking lugs equally.
In any case, not to worry; the 45-70 pressure is so low you don't even need locking lugs.
Don't try that though, although PO Ackley did fire a 94 Win in 30-30 Improved with no locking bolt. Nothing to report. Fired normally.

Would the case then eject itself as from a .22LR self-loader or stay in the chamber?

It would stay in the chamber. Ackley proved that. When the cartridge fires the pressure obturates the brass case to the chamber wall. When the pressure is gone the case shrinks back some. All this happens in micro seconds. So when the pressure is all gone there is nothing to propell the case out of the chamber. On a semi auto gun such as the 22lr you mentioned it is the inertia imparted into the bolt from the 22lr case against it and it is that inertia into the bolt that pulls the case out of the chamber. Ackley cleaned the chamber of that 30-30 and the cartridge because if it had any oil or wax on them the case would have blown the bolt back because it didn't obturate to the chamber wall.

Thanks, Shootermetal. The dry chamber would be a factor, though I don't recall leaving oil in my .22's.