Action question

[Rbohno]

I Just got my Fierce Rival home today to really fool with and like everything about it except the stiffness when cycling the bolt. The last two bolt actions I have purchased were my Tikka and my Sako so here is the stupid question.

My Tikka and Sako had butter smooth actions right out of the box, this Fierce is very sticky. I know it’s a 700 clone but I didn’t get a chance to handle one prior to purchase so I am hoping after barrel break in between cleaning and lubrication that bolt manipulation will cycle much/much smoother.

Is that something I should expect or they just built with tight tolerances?

 

[kickemall]

I have a T3x in 6.5 (and have had two other T3s) and a Rival in 300prc. The Tikka is slightly smoother than the Rival but there is no stick to the Rival at all and I would consider it very smooth. If your Rival is "very sticky" I'd give Fierce a call.

 

[Rbohno]

I lubricated the bolt to see if I could cycle it quickly and its terrible. If the bolt is pulled all the way back it has so much space it cants to the side and won’t push forward.

When looking down the barrel the bolt in the 3 o’clock position is hitting the action going into battery. Then when trying to pull bolt back it sticks so much it takes two fingers on bolt to get it back.

I got a pit in my stomach because for the kind of money these guns cost they should have some kind of quality control. I am feeling like I made HUGE MISTAKE with this purchase.

 

[Rbohno]

I pulled bolt, then action and put bolt In without receiver and it seemed to cycle fine so put it all back together and it’s 100% better.
The 7 day inspection on gunbroker was invalid since zi filled out form 4487 so I was really dreading sending the rifle back to Fierce then playing the waiting game to get it back.

Conclusion - I am pleased with how it runs now. Only thing left now is mount the scope and drill some targets.

 

[kickemall]

Good luck and hope it shoots well. I too am not impressed with Fierce quality control.