Is the "slop" and "movement" you're referring to, the clearance between the bolt body and the receiver raceway?

Assuming that's the case, you'd need to measure front/rear ID of the raceway with gauge pins to determine your smallest ID, then select a bolt with the desired clearance.
Clearance desired should depend on the use of the rifle. A hunting rifle needs adequate clearances so that a speck of dirt or grit in the action isn't going to cause a malfunction.

To do this the "right" way, you would ream the bolt raceway to a consistent, oversize dimension and then use the appropriate bolt body.
So, short answer to your question is "yes"- but you need to be able to take the necessary precision measurements, know the clearances needed- and be realistic about what you might gain.


The floating bolthead on Savages compensates for minor misalignment. Things like bolt tilt are a consideration on precision rifles, absent other work being done it's not likely to show you a return at the target.

JMO. YMMV.