Axis II Heavy Barrel 223 Lug face / barrel scratching

Hello there!

Just picked up an Axis II Precision in 223. So far, I love the thing and cannot wait to shoot it (though won't be able to for a while) which brings me to my question.

I noticed some barring on the front of the lugs (as in the pictures) when I took the rifle out of the box.

After lubricating and dry cycling the bolt, the marks have become more apparent.

I read somewhere that there should be some sort of clearance between the bolt lug face and the barrel (I recall 5 thou or so?) and was wondering if this was anything to worry about, or if it will wear in. I can't shoot her for some time so figured this would be the place to ask.

Images:

https://i.imgur.com/75H4OpJ.png


https://i.imgur.com/CfNenuY.png

https://imgur.com/a/iJTL5ER
Imgur: The magic of the Internet

Cheers and thanks!

Can you feel the bolt drag a bit when you close it? Head space might be a bit tight. How do rounds chamber? Do you have headspace gauges to check what might be going on? From the looks of the bolt face this rifle had had a number of rounds chambered.

"There should be some sort of clearance between the bolt lug face and the barrel." True. About .010"

But the marks you see on lug, come from the bolt lug contacting the receiver. Think of this contact as a stop.

Some early bolt actions didnt have this "stop." In war time, the action was worked hard and fast. With no stop, the round was sized smaller, shoulder pushed back. This could produce excessive head clearance & case head separations.

Get some Break Free CLP & put 1 drop on each side of both lugs.

This is how i understand it & how i would lube it.

Otherwise, ship gun back to Savage for repair.

My Axis in 223 & 6.5 CM do not have these marks.

Does the bolt rotate freely now? If so, then I suspect all that is from the 'grit' that Savage uses to sandblast the barreled actions before bluing. They do not seem to clean it out very well. Then that grit was in the action when they test fired the rifle.

Thanks for all the replies!

- There was initially a half moon gouge scratch in the bolt face when taking the rifle out of the box.

- Cleaned the chamber and lubricated the bolt, the wear seems to continue progressing.

- The bolt definitely does 'drag' a bit when closing or unlocking the action. I have nothing to compare it to where I am at the moment, but my .260 chambered Model 10 doesn't have this issue.


I don't have anything to test with it at the moment (ammo or gauges) so I may just bring it back to the store tomorrow.