Bolt Doesn’t Close When Loading a Cartridge

[pedwards]

Who did the action work? Was it worked at the factory or was it done by a gunsmith?

Weatherby did the blue printing. It is an option when you order direct.

 

[Lefty38-55]

Searched online and the W Mark V action is a typical push feed type ...

 

[RidgeTop]

Is the bore clear? Using correct ammo?
Check chamber with a 'go' gauge

 

[Orange Dust]

Check the Ejector

 

[adk hunter]

Odd things happen.

Comparing Nosler service and Weatherby service is another one. My buddy bought a brand new Weatherby ti with a very stiff bolt close on the cartridge. He thought it would wear in but I said no way. Sent out and got back in under 10 days. I'd say that was pretty snappy!!

Call them. Set expectations. Good luck!

 

[pedwards]

Turns out that the three rounds I tried loading were the only three that didn't allow the bolt to close properly. 37 of the 40 worked just fine. The other three wouldn't allow the bolt to close, but now require quite a bit of effort to close the bolt. Is this normal? I've been shooting factory ammo for decades and have never run into an issue like this.

 

[Orange Dust]

Turns out that the three rounds I tried loading were the only three that didn't allow the bolt to close properly. 37 of the 40 worked just fine. The other three wouldn't allow the bolt to close, but now require quite a bit of effort to close the bolt. Is this normal? I've been shooting factory ammo for decades and have never run into an issue like this.

Try the other three again. Might have just had a chip in it somewhere that has or is working it self out. If they will go in now clean the gun really well. Heck, you should before you shoot it anyway if you haven't already.

 

[Laelkhunter]

Is there a scope mounted?? Could be the screws in the front scope base are too long, which causes them to protrude into the raceway of the bolt preventing it from closing. If no scope bases are mounted, disregard. I thought too, maybe something (brass shaving) under the extractor preventing the cartridge from seating in the bolt.

 

[Ckleeves]

Look closely at the belt on the 3 pieces that are hard to chamber. It may just be bad pieces of brass with a thick belt. It's kinda unusual for the headspace to be set short on a belted cartridge, there is usually ample headspace to the shoulder on them.

 

[Ucsdryder]

Could there be junk in there from the factory? I'd clean the crap out of it. Make sure there are no shavings.

 

[pedwards]

Try the other three again. Might have just had a chip in it somewhere that has or is working it self out. If they will go in now clean the gun really well. Heck, you should before you shoot it anyway if you haven't already.

I just tried the three that weren't allowing the bolt to close. All three now are fine, but one of them requires much more effort to close the bolt than it should. Might just be a hair bigger than the rest? I'm assuming all of them are safe to fire, so I'll just run with it.

 

[pedwards]

Could there be junk in there from the factory? I'd clean the crap out of it. Make sure there are no shavings.

It's possible, but I did clean it thoroughly when I got it, . Anything is possible, though. I'll run the rod through it again. Thanks for the response.

 

[pedwards]

Is there a scope mounted?? Could be the screws in the front scope base are too long, which causes them to protrude into the raceway of the bolt preventing it from closing. If no scope bases are mounted, disregard. I thought too, maybe something (brass shaving) under the extractor preventing the cartridge from seating in the bolt.

The scope is mounted, but I can close the bolt without issue when there's no ammo in the chamber. That's the first thing Weatherby asked me to check, .

 

[xsn10s]

I just tried the three that weren't allowing the bolt to close. All three now are fine, but one of them requires much more effort to close the bolt than it should. Might just be a hair bigger than the rest? I'm assuming all of them are safe to fire, so I'll just run with it.

I wouldn't fire them. You don't really have an idea what is going on with this rifle. The chamber could be too tight or the cases too large for the chamber. So let's say they were too long and with the repeated bolt closings you swagged/ sized the cases to fit. That could be crimping the bullets. so it's possible to increase chamber pressures. You paid good money for that rifle. I'd let Weatherby handle it.