To further cloud the picture, I see that the cocking piece pin is canted to the rear of the bolt when in the cocked position. The link below is from a previous forum thread related to this issue. I will hunt around for a replacement cocking pin sleeve and cocking pin to see if it will improve bolt lift. If it's not the sleeve and pin, something else changed when I disassembled the bolt.

https://www.savageshooters.com/showt...-in-bolt/page2