Bolt closing a little rough.. go/no go gauges good

[Dave Hoback]

Absolutely, you did the right thing. Why I stressed I wasn’t rebuking in any way. Just something to know as we’ve had many newer members here claim this or that issue with their Savage, only to find out after Eleventy-Seven responses the shooter used only 1 type of ammunition, or shot only a handful of rounds, etc. LOL!

I’m thinking you won’t see this with other ammunition. And if you do, no big deal. Just means it’s on the snug side of things as chambers go; and will likely loosen up some with use. And being it’s 35 Remington there really is no pressure danger. It is fairly moderate pressure rifle cartridge after all.

[charlie b]

I agree you should try different ammo.

Savage barrels are not cleaned at the factory. They need a good scrubbing before shooting. More than just a few patches.

If you haven't try cleaning it well, including a copper remover. Bore snakes are bad IMHO. They drag on the edges of the muzzle too much. Get a good rod with a nylon or bronze brush and a jag tip (not slotted).

Savage barrels are also rough. They collect copper and fouling quickly.

[Slowpoke Slim]

Curious what the extractor looks like on the front side, that would "face" the cartridge base. Is there a burr or indention there?

When you head spaced the barrel, did you remove the extractor first, or leave it in while using the Go gauge (I mean originally, when you first installed the barrel).

Some (cheaper) Go gauges have a very sharp rim on them. Some extractors seem a bit "soft" to me. That combination, sharp steel rim + soft faced extractor, can lead to a divot being gouged out of the face of the extractor when performing the head space. Normal cartridge brass is too soft to do this, plus the rim is not "sharp" on brass. But a steel gauge, either "Go" or "No Go", certainly could. If this occurred, the base of the cartridge could be hanging up on the extractor face and not letting it move under spring tension and snapping over the rim.

[sharpshooter]

Check your front action screw, it could be a smidge too long. I've seen this several times that it feels normal until a cartridge is loaded. The cartridge centers up the bolt and it drags in the action screw. Without the cartridge, it has enough float that it does not bind at all.

[Sh40674]

I headpsaced with the extractor in (ive always done that just been careful to make sure the gauge is in face under the extractor)

I will check the front screw, I did have to replace the action screw with this boyds stock and it appears to clear but ill loosen it up and see if it still does that, that's a great point

[Sh40674]

Sorry was on vacation..

Somehow found some hornady rounds at fleet farm so I scooped some up. Closes a tad better with the hornady.

Action screw isn't too long

One thing I noticed is when i back off the front action screw it doesn't do it. If I tighten it down it does it (not over tight just snug), if I back it off 1/4 to 1/2 turn it closes fine with a cartridge.

Any ideas?