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.

 

[WCFMetalsmith]

The Weatherby safety lever pivots on the screw in the side of the sleeve.

I suspect the safety was on ON and some one tried to batter the bolt handle open.
This could damage the hole in the root of the bolt handle.
Even stretch the locking lever, or even bend the pivot screw

That bolt handle is one piece to the bolt body, so its not going anywhere, but the smaller pieces can get damaged

WCF

 

[JimP]

A new bolt for just about any rifle that I have seen needs to be fitted at the factory. I'm not sure if they would even sell a bolt to a gunsmith.

Have you contacted Weatherby directly?

 

[Ontario Hunter]

The Weatherby safety lever pivots on the screw in the side of the sleeve.

I suspect the safety was on ON and some one tried to batter the bolt handle open.
This could damage the hole in the root of the bolt handle.
Even stretch the locking lever, or even bend the pivot screw

That bolt handle is one piece to the bolt body, so its not going anywhere, but the smaller pieces can get damaged

WCF

To be clear, the bolt handle is NOT wiggling when safety is disengaged to fire? I'm not familiar with Weatherby actions but it seems to me if safety IS disengaged and bolt wiggles, then the issue must be in the bolt head, i.e. the locking lugs are not firmly locking up in the receiver locking ring. Safety typically does not lock the bolt when safety is disengaged. If it did, there's no way a spent case could be ejected.

 

[BlueFlyer]

I think Metalsmith is on the money. If you look at the attached diagram the bolt body including the handle and locking lugs is one piece so there can not be any wiggle there.
In the photo you have the safety engaged and you have slightly lifted the bolt handle, which is what you are describing as the "wiggle"? Is this correct?
IF this is what you are experiencing, then there is no impact to the locking of the bolt into the action and it is safet to operate.
You should confirm that the safety is still functioning OK.
Triple check there are is no live ammunition in the rifle.
Cycle the bolt as if loading a cartridge.
Engage the safety catch.
Pull the trigger.
Disengage the safety catch - If the firing pin "fires" then you have a problem with teh safety catch that a gunsmith must fix.
If the when you disengage the safety catch and nothing happens = good. Then pull the trigger to confirm the correct function.
IF it all functions OK then you have an irritation but the rifle is funtional.

In the exploded view below #7 is the bolt sleeve lock - this is the pint the safety pushes forward to lock the bolt handle. This is most likely where the issue is. There will always be some movement as there needs to be some clearance for the pin to engage the recess in the bolt. Most rifles have some degree of "Wiggle".

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I agree, a bit of bolt handle "wiggle" when the safety is engaged is not unusual, for either trigger block or striker locking style safeties. But just a "bit." It is important to check and make sure wiggling the bolt handle doesn't disengage the safety. Two-position Buhler style wing scope relief safeties for Mauser style rifles are notorious for it. If someone has stressed this rifle enough, there may be enough "slop" when safety is engaged to disengage it inadvertently by jiggling the bolt handle.

 

[Pablo]

To be clear, the bolt handle is NOT wiggling when safety is disengaged to fire? I'm not familiar with Weatherby actions but it seems to me if safety IS disengaged and bolt wiggles, then the issue must be in the bolt head, i.e. the locking lugs are not firmly locking up in the receiver locking ring. Safety typically does not lock the bolt when safety is disengaged. If it did, there's no way a spent case could be ejected.

It is very slight, but the bolt does wiggle when it’s in the fire position. Not as much as in the safety.

 

[Pablo]

I think Metalsmith is on the money. If you look at the attached diagram the bolt body including the handle and locking lugs is one piece so there can not be any wiggle there.
In the photo you have the safety engaged and you have slightly lifted the bolt handle, which is what you are describing as the "wiggle"? Is this correct?

That is correct. It never did that before, it was pretty tight.

 

[Wyfox]

I would call Weatherby and see what they can do for you.