More 1903 Help!!

[Rick H.]

Besides what I have already posted regarding spacers in my C-stocked 1903, I have come upon a new problem with this rifle. I took it to the range today to see how and if it would shoot. I almost immediately began having a problem closing the bolt on the gun. I have checked the headspace on the rifle and it seems in good order. I did notice that on several fired cases there was a rub mark from the face of the bolt on the bottom of the case. I can get this same circular rub mark on a case head just by chambering a round and removing it. Is this indicitive of a headspace problem or some other issue? Also, it seems as though the bolt gets very hard to move and then gets past some point and is easier to close the rest of the way. This "hard spot" is just as the extractor is riding over the rim of the shell but has not yet dropped into the case rim extraction grove. Thanks for any help you guys can offer.

Rick H.

Information

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[Rob]

When you checked headspace did you use a Go and a No Go gauge?

[Rick H.]

Yes I did Rob. Bolt closes on "go" and won't close on "No-Go". Rick

[Chuckindenver]

sounds like greek ammo issue...

[Rob]

I have heard of some people having trouble with the greek ammo in the 03.I have not had any issues in mine

[Kirk]

Does the problem happen when you feed cartridges from the magazine vs. single loading them by laying a round on the follower & closing the bolt?

What is the condition of the bolt face? Smooth & flat or pitted or??

If you have a spare bolt, does the problem happen when using it?

Does the problem happen when the extractor is removed from the bolt? (use a cleaning rod to push rounds out of chamber?

Does the problem happen when you change brands of ammo?

Try these & see if the problem persists.

[Calif-Steve]

Who made the bolt? a new Remington bolt is cheap from The Dealers Warehouse or Springfield Sporters.

[Rick H.]

I decided that I would lap the bolt in which in turn gave me a little more space for the case head. I then decided to polish the bolt face which I think has also helped quite a bit. It's a Remington bolt and the face has cirular marks on it which could have been from the original manufacture. There are no pits on the bolt face to speak of. One plus to doing this was that only one lug, the bottom, was doing most of the work according to what I observed with machinists dye. After lapping the bolt both lugs are equally engaging their respective lug recess. I will take the 03 out to the range and give it a run when it warms up a little bit. Right now it's -5 degrees outside. Thanks to all who replied to my questions...Rick H.