The resistance you feel is a combination of the resistance of the firing pin spring being compressed and the cocking pin on the cocking ramp of the bolt body being out of time with the lug ramps at the front of the action causing what feels like a bind. It's a common and well known timing issue with Savage bolt-action rifles.

Lapping the lugs can help a little, but won't eliminate the issue.
There are "Bolt Lift Kits" that will help a little, but again don't totally eliminate the issue.
Then there's sending your action to SSS to have it Trued & Timed which will properly time the ramps together.