Should I swap bolts? SA to HRA, HRA to SA

[Joe W]

I bought a CMP 4.29 SA-SG in 2004 that came with an HRA Bolt D6528287 .U.
I just received a CMP 4.75 HRA-SG that has a SA Bolt 6528284 A14

Would you swap them... or leave them be?

~Matt

Matt, The HRA bolt ".U." would be correct for a 4.75 HRA rifle. A SA 6528284 A14 would be to late for a 4.29 SA. That heat lot (A14) would be for a 5.33 to 5.86 serial range. But I would still make the swap. The HRA will be correct and you can keep your eyes open for for a SA 65 series bolt with a A10 heat lot.
This info is based on Scott Duffs article "M1 Rifles 1952 - 1957" GCA Journal Vol. 15, #2.
While the odds are very good that both bolts will headspace fine, you should still check. Better safe than sorry. Joe