BigEd

All bolt actions are designed to first rotate the bolt lugs out of engagement with the lug seats of the receiver, then the last few degrees of bolt rotation is for the bolt handle to contact the primary extraction cam on the rear bridge of the receiver. This is where the bolt rifle has most of it's extraction power. It cams the empty case back a few thousanths to break it's bond with the chamber walls loose. Then you pull straight back on the bolt to pull the case the rest of the way out.

From your description, it sounds like the base of the bolt handle is not making good contact with the primary extraction cam. I have seen this problem on recent manufactored model 70 Winchesters.

Check to see if the action screws are too long. Just a shade will bind up that bolt when you try to pull it back. - Dan

BigEd

I had a similar problem with a Win. Mdl 70 in .300WinMag. The bolt handle would lift just fine, however sliding it to the rear was a problem. Just could not get it started, once it moved things were normal. The brass looked good so I tried most everything posted above. Frustrated I sent it to a good gun smith and it wasn�t long and he called back and said there was a tool mark left in the chamber. After polishing it out I have had no trouble with the rifle. Still don�t know why this did not show up on the brass.

Kind regards & Shoot safe
Carl