I recently inherited a Rem 788 22-250. In years past ('60' to
early '70's), I shot it quite a bit and there were no problems.
However, it is now pretty difficult to pull the bolt up into the
cocking position, both when a shell has been fired and when there
is nothing in the chamber. After the firing pin is in the firing
position, the bolt pulls up normally with no resistance.

I have taken the bolt apart, thoroughly cleaning the area around
the firing pin & spring. Have also polished the area where the
pin is pushed back on the bolt for firing position. The lugs are
cleaned. There has been very little negligible improvement.

Anyone know what could be causing this problem?

you need to put some grease on the cocking ramp

With the bolt plug and firing pin out of the gun. Check to see that the bolt plug screws into the bolt easy.
If the bolt plug binds in the bolt then you came so close to breaking the handle off and now the threads in the bolt are not round any more.

Also pull out the ejector and spring as sometimes the tail of the spring gets down into the center of the bolt and binds on the firing pin.

Also check the bolt stop as the top of it could be draging on the bolt body.

Has the scope mounts been changed and the screw draging on the bolt body ?.

That is the most I can suggest without having the gun to look at.

Jim Wisner
Custom Metalsmith

quote:

Originally posted by J Wisner:
With the bolt plug and firing pin out of the gun. Check to see that the bolt plug screws into the bolt easy.
If the bolt plug binds in the bolt then you came so close to breaking the handle off and now the threads in the bolt are not round any more.

Also pull out the ejector and spring as sometimes the tail of the spring gets down into the center of the bolt and binds on the firing pin.

Also check the bolt stop as the top of it could be draging on the bolt body.

Has the scope mounts been changed and the screw draging on the bolt body ?.

That is the most I can suggest without having the gun to look at.

Jim Wisner
Custom Metalsmith

Listen closely to what Jim says, if anyone knows 788s it's him.

788 bolt handles are pretty easy to knock off. I had a customer knock one off recently. He told me he used a screwdriver handle to beat on the bolt in order to open it. I soldered it back on and chased the threads to fix it.

Ditto what Mr. Wisner has posted.
Walt

Did you have the stock off? If so check the front action screw, it could be touching the bolt.