Ross MkII** Commercial Target Super Stiff Bolt

[Sharps45-70]

Hi everyone, just purchased a Ross MkII** Target rifle. The gun is in excellent condition and visually mechanically perfect. My problem is when opening the bolt, the lugs rotate, and just before they clear the locking surface, the bolt seizes up and take an extremely hard pull or a mallet tap to open.

The bolt is fine when already cocked, it is only when recocking that it experiences this. When already cocked, if I am not quick with the draw on the bolt, it will stop and stick in the same spot, but not nearly as bad.

Is this a problem with the lug interface on the sloped surfaces? Do I need to slightly round off a corner? Could this be a problem with the trigger mechanism and the sear reset?

The gun is beautiful and I would love to start throwing together some competitive groups with it, if only I could get it open after firing!

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[Agambard1990]

Hi everyone, just purchased a Ross MkII** Target rifle. The gun is in excellent condition and visually mechanically perfect. My problem is when opening the bolt, the lugs rotate, and just before they clear the locking surface, the bolt seizes up and take an extremely hard pull or a mallet tap to open.

The bolt is fine when already cocked, it is only when recocking that it experiences this. When already cocked, if I am not quick with the draw on the bolt, it will stop and stick in the same spot, but not nearly as bad.

Is this a problem with the lug interface on the sloped surfaces? Do I need to slightly round off a corner? Could this be a problem with the trigger mechanism and the sear reset?

The gun is beautiful and I would love to start throwing together some competitive groups with it, if only I could get it open after firing!

I've had similar issues with my mk2 3* when I've shot quite a few rounds through it. Initially, I chocked it up to being a heat issue, but after getting it home from the range, I realized the area around the chamber had accumulated some gunk. I cleaned it out well and oiled liberally. So far no other issues. You also might want to check chamber size, as your rounds could be over expanding and locking the bolt in place, though I can't say that with any certainty (I'm new to Ross rifles too). Best of luck!

[Sharps45-70]

I've had similar issues with my mk2 3* when I've shot quite a few rounds through it. Initially, I chocked it up to being a heat issue, but after getting it home from the range, I realized the area around the chamber had accumulated some gunk. I cleaned it out well and oiled liberally. So far no other issues. You also might want to check chamber size, as your rounds could be over expanding and locking the bolt in place, though I can't say that with any certainty (I'm new to Ross rifles too). Best of luck!

I did end up figuring it out. As mine is a commercial target, it has a receiver bridge with a notched bolt that goes through the stock. The notch is relieved for the pawl (square arm that comes up to hold the bolt sleeve shut upon firing) to move freely. The bolt was rotated around and was obstructing the pawl which was blocking the bolt from retracting. Works great now!