I have a .35 Whelen, built around a Santa Barbara action. A few weeks ago, while at the range, the bolt sleeve rotated 90 degrees to the left. Since then I can get it to repeat the failure about once in 20 cycles by dry cycling the action.

I heard this problem mentioned on one of the MRC threads, (by Bill Leeper?) but I don't recall any mention of what the cure might be. Any pointers?

Weed,
The bolt sleeve is not rotating far enough for the bolt sleeve lock to engage. There are multiple potential causes but usually the fault is in the bolt sleeve itself or the cocking piece. I'll be up to shoot a BR match out at Homestead on the 9th and 10th. I 'll bring a bolt sleeve and you can come out to the range if you like and we'll check it out. Regards, Bill.

Obviously all Mausers are unsafe now! Everyone should be destroyed if one of them exhibits such dangerous failures. Sheesh! (I hope you hear the sarcasm)

Fjold,

Is "destroy" the same as "send directly to Dago Red?" :-)

Red

Thanks, Bill! I'll do my best to be there; otherwise I might just ship you the whole thing and let you play with it a bit.

Fjold - Nope. Nothing unsafe about any of my Mausers... Anything can develop a hitch now and again; I'll still take a Mauser (or one of it's derivatives) over any other action out there when it comes to hunting rifles.