Need Help Interpreting Bolt Face Markings

I tried this over in the Gunsmithing forum. There have been many views, but no replies. Perhaps you guys can help me with this issue? Hope so. I'm considering buying a Weatherby Mark V in .240 Weatherby. The bolt face has some significant markings, and I don't know the cause, and what those marks mean for the condition of the chamber/barrel. I've posted a pic below. Can you help me understand what caused the circles on the bolt face? And would you have concern buying a rifle with a bolt face in this condition? Thanks in advance for your help!

Keith

Could be over pressure loads pushing primers back, or blown primers causing pitting--- but I could be totally wrong because your picture is so blurry it's difficult to really see

Cohunt, thanks for the reply. This is the only photo I have, which is from the online listing for the rifle. Wish I had a better one, but this is it. I plan to call the shop tomorrow and find out of the face is pitted. If so, is is possible to have the bolt face resurfaced to get back to (somewhat) new condition?

Could be evidence of primer cratering, because the firing pin hole is oversized and needs to be bushed. (Or the firing pin is under spec). Cratered primers leave marks like that.

Maybe that's a reason the seller is getting rid of it? I wouldn't buy that without finding out for sure. I'd hesitate to buy any used rifle unless I knew the seller, that's just me.

A firing pin/bushing job can work wonders when needed.
I've seen it firsthand, concerning group size, and of course it left the primers looking better…

Due to poor picture quality, it is difficult to say if there is damage or not, but normal primer hits on the bolt face cause marks on all rifles. If it is only removal of coatings, then it probably has seen many firings. If there is pitting from blown or pierced primers, then that is self explanatory.

Cheers.

I'm not seeing any brass transfer. That usually happens when you overload. Do you know anyone else who owns a weatherby to compare with?

No sir, Thanks everyone for the replies. The auction went higher than I was willing to spend.

Keith

Any idea how many rounds through the rifle?
Some of the finish on the face, lugs, etc appears well used.

No round count known. The dealer had no history on the rifle. The rifle sold for a price higher than I was willing to pay.

Looks like normal stuff - primer push back & minor gas leaks causing ring. Pressures probably at/about 60 K psi or above will make this happen and depending on primer/brass fit.

Excessive primer cratering would indicate need for a bushing job to reduce firing pin hole and no primer pics were shown.

No direct relation with chamber or barrel condition.

My guess is that Weatherby factory ammo or handloads were hi-pressure and caused this. I see this on my rifle bolts, some of which have been in use since 1966. I am real olde.

At least we all got to express opinions on this subject - the new owner might have similar concerns.

Rosebud said:

I'm not seeing any brass transfer. That usually happens when you overload. Do you know anyone else who owns a weatherby to compare with?

Click to expand...

I have several Weatherby rifles and that looks pretty normal to me (as long as it's not etched). You can take your fingernail or a pick and feel if there is etching. It's just the blueing coming off. Remember they headspace off the belt and there will be some case thrust against the bolt unless you are sizing to headspace off the shoulder.

--md

I have a bunch of left hand Mark V Weatherbys (9 lug). Here's a pic of 3ea 240 bolts.
You can still buy new stripped 240 bolts from Numrich.

Tony

ETA: Forget it.....I can't get pics to show on this website for some reason.