I presently have four Mannlicher Schoenauer rifles. I recently had a Redfield type scope base installed on my 1906 6.5X54MS and when I took it to the range to sight it in, to my amazement I could not remove the bolt to bore sight it. My first thought was that the screws on the rear sight base were protruding into the receiver and that was keeping it from releasing, but I removed the screws alternatively and there was no change.

Fortunately, the rifle was on paper at 50 yards, so I did get it sighted in, but eventually I will need to remove the bolt to clean it properly. Before I start taking the rifle out of the stock and resorting to other measures, can anyone suggest what the problem might be?

After writing the above, I went back and repeated my efforts, and this time the bolt came out, albeit very reluctantly. It was also difficult to reinsert. Visually, I could come up with nothing which was causing the difficulty, and the bolt was equally difficult to replace, but works freely as soon as it gets past the bolt release. I'll see what a little judicious lubrication might do.

I had a MS 458 Win Mag that I had scope mounts made for by Watts Walnut. The bases worked well, however the flat part of the bolt handle rubbed on the underside of the right side of the rear base. A little milling of the area in queation solved the problem.

Aha! I have the same kind of mount. I'll check it out.

Many thanks!

Wow, a M-S in .458! I note you said you "had" it. If it was anywhere near as light as my 9.3X62 I can understand why!

I liked the 458 a lot, but had an itch for a 416 Rigby. Sold the 458 to a fellow here on AR a while back. Now playing with a 416 Rigby.

I had a bolt release spring break and the coils of the two pieces interlocked and prevented release. Just take the barreled action out of the stock and remove the bolt release pin and look at the pieces to see what the issue is.