I was looking at my BAR 30-06 the other day. I'd say in it's lifetime it's probably digested about 500 rounds of ammo. I noticed the rod that the inertial block slides on is scored pretty badly on one side. The action is still very smooth but the rod has long scratches in one side and is probably missing about 10% of the material.
Does this sound normal...and is it a problem??

10 percent wear on the "action spring guide" doesn't sound normal. The "inertia piece" should ride fairly smooth on the rod. I would pull it down and find out what is digging in and causing the damage.