I just bought a 1975 model push feed M70. The feed is fine. The problem is in the bolt operation. The last 1/4" down was hard untill I took a little off the front action screw, now that part is fine.

The problem is that when I work the bolt to remove the fired round it works fine about the 1st 3/4 of the way up and the last 1/4 of the up stroke is very difficult. I took the fireing pin out and worked a fired case and it is still difficult. With an empty chamber, it is fine.

Any Idea's?

Factory loads or handloads and what are the details? Is there any rust or pitting in the chamber? How much effort did closing the bolt on a fired case take?



What is the caliber marked on the barrel?

I went and tried feeding a round again, of resized brass. feeding was fine and the downstroke of the bolt is fine. On the upstroke the 1st 3/4 of the way is fine, but the last 1/4 distance if a little rough. I didn't see any marks on the rim where the brass may be sticking and the extractor causing friction. I'm just guessing what to look for.

As far as the chamber, that and the barrel have me concerned. I don't have access to a bore scope, and this barrel has a copper mine after shooting.

I should have informed more about this rifle. This Win 70 has a Remington 25-06 barrel on it. That was cut down and rechambered to 25-308 (Souper). I bought it this way and don't have a clue as to who did the work. I may have to pull the barrel and take a look. Maybe the chamber is out of round? Guess I could make a chamber cast, when I pull the barrel.

Cases will stick in a rough chamber with normal loads and with hot loads cases will stick in most chambers. How hot are your loads?

Any marks on the brass?

I can see into my chambers and I am old. Try again with a bright light.

I went and pulled the barrel and took some pics. Does this look rough to you?

http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=4291746499

Jesus!!! Who threaded the chamber??????



A guess, could be a hammer forged barrel. When the Rem threads were turned down, could have released stresses. Some hammer forged barrels are stress relieved at manufacture, some are not.



This be one of the reasons why I don't fool with used barrels any more, especially the hammer forged barrels. Some hammer forged barrels can really eat your lunch if you attempt to rechamber, impossible to get a finish. And some of them will eat the chamber reamer also.

A few things that have not been covered.

The chamber could be not concentric to the reciever.Thus the case rim is draging on the bolt face on its side.

The bolt face could be out of round with the chamber.Thus the side of the recess is draging on the side of the case.

The cam surface on the bolt or the reciever could be rough.

The cam surface of the cocking piece or the bolt could be rough.

The sleeve lock could be not properly depressed and draging on the bolt root.


I would suspect the first though.

Jim Wisner
Custom Metalsmith