Sako Quad stiff bolt action

[Guest JohnGalway]

Hi folks,

 

Big problem in a little Sako. Usually the bolt has a lovely smooth action, no bother in the least to work it with forefinger or thumb back and forth. Now, I did feck all shooting over the summer so it was laid up in the gunsafe all that time. Cleaned before being put away. Had two mates visit (sportingshooter and sounder, SS specially wanted to shoot the Quad to see what it was like. I took it out of the safe and the bolt was a torture to move back and forth. Tonight I took the bolt apart, cleaned it, reassembled and the problem is still there. So I moved on and had a look at the bolt release button (for want of a better term). I removed the pin holding the button and the little spring that works it, cleaned both, replaced. Decided to removed a little of the length of that pin as I was developing suspicions about the stock at this stage. So I do that and no, the problem still exists without obvious rub marks. Right, so, on we go again to the relationship between the action, the stock and the action screws. Well bugger me but I find if I don't tighten the action screws all the way - meaning hand tight not superman in bad humour tight - the bolt action is back to it's lovely smooth self. Result! Or, is it.

 

So, where to now I ask? It seems over the summer something has happened in this relationship. That, or I'm missing something else. Why would the smooth bolt action go to crap, what caused this? What can I do about it, is it a gunsmith job? Do any brightspark out there have other suggestions?

 

Yours, confused,

 

JG

 

I'll upload photos later.

[SportingShooter 0]

What did I tell you about me and guns John

 

So it is back to normal now but you fear that it will go back to being stiff again?

 

I really cant think what would have swollen or moved to obstruct it. You seem to have exhausted the main options, I couldnt see anything wrong when I had a look there, nothing obvious, confused the both of us!

 

SS

[Guest JohnGalway]

It's not really back to normal no, because when I tighten the action screws to what they normally are I get the crap bolt action. It's more noticeable when the rear action screw is tightened up. Not sure I like the idea of leaving them much looser but the effect of that is beyond my knowledge!

[SportingShooter 0]

I really can't think what to suggest John, leaving the action screws too much just creates unwanted movement.

 

How long have you had it now?

[jamie g 17]

dont no if it has much affect john but i allways take my bolts out the rifles. and release the spring on them so there not under stess all the time.

[Guest JohnGalway]

I've had the rifle since March 07 (I think). Starting to think that two shims between the action and the stock might be worth a try but then there'll be a tiny gap. I'll check out the stock a bit better later on.

 

Yeah Jamie, I always have the bolt out and locked in a seperate safe when not in use Also have the bolt and magazine out whenever changing barrels or doing anything else with the rifle.

[cyclonebri1 8]

I've had the rifle since March 07 (I think). Starting to think that two shims between the action and the stock might be worth a try but then there'll be a tiny gap. I'll check out the stock a bit better later on.

 

Yeah Jamie, I always have the bolt out and locked in a seperate safe when not in use Also have the bolt and magazine out whenever changing barrels or doing anything else with the rifle.

 

 

Would you buy the same gun again?, only as as am considering the same

[Guest JohnGalway]

Would you buy the same gun again?, only as as am considering the same

 

Yes, no hesitation at all Shot it in .22lr and .17HMR, both very accurate.

[cyclonebri1 8]

Would you buy the same gun again?, only as as am considering the same

 

Yes, no hesitation at all Shot it in .22lr and .17HMR, both very accurate.

Yeah, that was the combination I was thinking about, just got that niggling thought that whatever barrel I went out with, it would be the wrong one, you know?

 

Assuming target turrets or carefull notes how much re-zeroing do you fing neccesary when going back from 1 caliber to the other?

 

And sorry John for riding your original question

[Guest JohnGalway]

That's ok. I have just the one barrel for mine. But, in removing and replacing it I don't find it necessary to rezero, it's never been more than 1 click out, which on my scope is 1/8th not 1/4.

 

Like you say, as long as you know the clicks going from one zero to another there shouldn't be any problem at all. Depending on the scope mind you

[Jonty 0]

John, is it a timber stock on the sako?

[Guest JohnGalway]

Synthetic stock Jonty. Sorry for the photo delay, I can't find the USB lead for my camera at the minute.

[Jonty 0]

Sorry for not getting back John, i thought if it was a timber stock it could be swelled slightly and putting pressure on the action, but its a synthetic!!!!

[Guest JohnGalway]

I left the whole problem for a while. Got fed up thinking about it :blush:

 

Tonight I spied the plastic packet my Trulock chokes came in I cut three layers and made a cut out that the rear action screw could go through, A bit like a square captial C if you get what I mean rather than a square with a hole in the centre.

 

---------- Sorry, I left out the important bit didn't I.... I put the three layers in between the action and the stock. ------------------------

 

Seems to have done the trick, the bolt is free again.

 

I am still not 100% whether the action was being ever so slightly twisted or whether the rear action screw is now, for whatever reason (I'd guess some type of stock compression?) too long.

 

First half decent day this week I need to remount the scope and shoot it Got a lot of .22lr rounds to shoot before I get my HMR barrel

[SportingShooter 0]

Glad you got it sorted so that you can shoot it with ease John. Be no good for your accuracy with the bolt as it was.

 

Good luck pinging all that ammo off at the wildlife

 

SS