Originally Posted by
Texas10
There are a few things you can do to lighten bolt lift. Most of these steps pertain to the older bolt designs, not the newer ones with the cocking indicator, but some may cross over.
First of all, take a really close look at the aft baffle as you lift the bolt fully open. Pay attention to the ramp on the rear baffle and the adjacent ramp on the bolt handle. This is the primary extraction ramp and if it engages too soon it is trying to move the bolt backward before the bolt locking lugs come off the lug abutments in the forward part of the action. This happens sometimes in a factory original rifle, but more frequently if the bolt handle has been changed out for an aftermarket one with a longer bolt handle. Some careful grinding of the ramp on the aft baffle or bolt handle will fix the timing of this.
Install a 38 cal lift kit: Cut a .38 special case down to the web and place a ball bearing in the primer cup. Find one that just fits and barely extends above the cartridge head. Then remove the bolt assembly screw (BAS) and drop the lift kit into the back end of the cocking sleeve. Install the BAS and check lift. If it hangs up firmly at the top of the lift, install a washer between the BAS and bolt body or adjust the cocking nut a turn or two. There is a lift kit sold that has an adjustable centerpoint screw that makes this adjustment easier, although it comes with a new BAS that may not match your action color.
Reduce the firing spring pressure by unscrewing the cocking nut a couple of turns, but watch for primer cratering/blanking as an indicator that firing pin strength is too low.
Polish the cocking ramp in the bolt body to a mirror finish, and lubricate with a thin coat of STP or other "super lubricant" such as HOBO OIl.
Polish the cocking nut and the cocking sleeve internally with 1000 wet/dry sandpaper and also the firing pin in the area of milled flat on the threaded portion. This is where the keyed washer can hang up on the last thread during cocking or firing. When reassembling the bolt, make sure the keyed washer is not cocked hard against the firing pin as you center the cocking sleeve in the cocking nut. This may take a little finesse to get it perfectly centered by turning the cocking nut very slightly.
Inside the receiver look at the bolt raceway just in front of the sear/release lever engagement. Look for a smooth finish along the top flat where the cocking pin rides as you raise the bolt. Is it perfectly smooth? Polish and then lubricate this area lightly.
I have used these methods to greatly reduce bolt lift. Others here may share some tricks they use.
Good luck! and let us know what steps you tried and your results.