How much is too much?

There would be a maximum bore for the receiver and a minimum diameter for the bolt body specified in the engineering drawings. This would be called the LMC or least materials condition. These are a natural result of having tolerances for manufactured/machined components.
The design engineer may also design in extra clearance at maximum material condition or MMC. MMC is the largest diameter bolt and the smallest diameter bore. At this condition the design engineer has to make sure a slightly crooked bolt & bore will still function since no manufacturing process always produces parts with perfect form. The extra clearance at MMC would be clearance for burrs, nicks, dirt, brass shavings, powder granules and other crud.
When a bolt is open and retracted there is a minimum length of bore guiding the bolt body. This permits a much greater wiggle at the end of the bolt due to the length of the bolt body magnifying the clearance. I doubt there is any specification that quantifies this wiggle.

On the other hand the little old man that makes rifles between his toes in Pakistan could probably find a way to adjust his bolt wobble with a vise if he had a vise or a rock and a big hammer. (Not to say that is the official way it should be done.)


Quote Originally Posted by spinecracker View Post
Hello,

I was examining 2 No4 Mk1s today, and I noted that there was a bit of "wiggle" or play as the bolt was slid back and forth. I can understand that a little bit of play is necessary to prevent the bolt binding as it moves, but how much is too much?