New bolt

[Pablo]

I made my first trip to RSA in ‘04 with a .300
Weatherby Magnum. The rifle performed well, had some loose ring issues with the scope, but still took some nice animals. A year later, a cleaning lady swiped it and a Browning BL .22 that was my first gun. I never got the .22 back, but the .300 was recovered in a pawn shop in Brownwood, TX two years later. It had definitely been used and I had a gunsmith look it over. The only problem with it is the bolt handle has some significant play. He said you could shoot it with no problem, but the play bothers me. I have not shot it since. My question to the masses is, what does it take to get a new bolt? Do you just find one online and plug it in? My knowledge is limited to put the cartridge in and pull the trigger basically, not the proverbial nuts and bolts. Pardon the pun. What is my best bet here? I’m not an idiot (don’t ask my wife), but when you guys start talking about chronos, fps, pressures and such, I get a blank look on my face.

 

[Wyfox]

It would help if you list make/model of the rifle and some pics. I'm not sure I understand how the bolt handle has play? some pics of it may help identify the issue.

 

[Pablo]

It is a Weatherby Mark V. I couldn’t load the video, so I took screenshots. Tech challenged I am. The whole bolt rotates 1/16-1/8” when it’s on safe. Not so much in the fire position. You can see the difference in the two pics by looking at the location of the three holes in the bolt at the chamber.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

The bolt handle should not wiggle freely in the fire position. It should be attached permanently (as in welded) to the bolt. Locking lugs at the head of the bolt should be locked firmly in place in receiver's locking ring when bolt is closed. Sounds to me like you have some serious head space issues due to someone shooting WAY too hot reload which seized the bolt in receiver. Then chamber was opened by hammering on bolt handle. Have another gunsmith check headspace with go/no go gauges.