Heavy bolt lift

[chrissmithdvm]

I have a Bergara Premier 6.5 PRC with Mg Lite Chassis. I am having issues with heavy bolt lift and have been using factory Hornady ELDX 143 grain ammo. It is inconsistent and usually gets harder and harder to lift the more you shoot but every once in a while it’s normal the next round after being heavy before. It is leaving extractor marks on the case as well. I have torqued the action screws to 55 and have thoroughly cleaned the chamber as well as the lug recess and barrel. It performs well all that being said but worried about pressure and not being able to cycle another round being able to getting a follow up shot while staying on the gun. It’s a two handed process to cycle when the bolt lift is heavy. I called Bergara and they said to send it in but it will be 3 month lead time. I have a hunt in September that costs a small fortune, HELP!!

 

[Chase16]

Are you experiencing any other pressure issues such as primers or ejector marks? I see you mentioned extractor marks. I know you mentioned you have cleaned the chamber, but have you ruled out a carbon ring? My immediate thoughts are carbon ring, incorrect chamber spec due to a worn reamer, or a bad batch of ammo.

Things I would do:
1. Find a borescope and confirm no carbon ring. If you're shooting with a suppressor a 6.5 PRC can develop them before you'd expect.
2. Find a no go gauge and check the ammo in there, make sure there isn't some issue with the brass.
3. Get a chrono and look for velocity anomalies signifying high pressure.
4. Try different brands of ammo and see if the problem persists.

If it turns out the chamber is for some reason on the small side, depending on the amount you could clean it up yourself with something like an Alex Wheeler reamer. But that depends on how you feel about that. Just trying to keep it in your hands for the hunt and getting one of those would be quicker than bergara.

 

[WeiserBucks]

It's over pressure. All you can do on short notice is try different ammo and make sure your other rifle is ready to go if needed.

 

[chrissmithdvm]

I do not have a bore scope but can try and pick one up. This all started on the first box of ammo that I put through it so I would be shocked if it has a ring, but I will try to confirm. It is leaving marks on the end of the case that are circular when I experience a heavy bolt lift. The next of the cases are pretty dark. If I can’t get it corrected, I will be pretty disappointed as I shoot this rifle way better. Going to try to find some different ammo and rule that out. I have always had good luck with the hornady ammo as far as accuracy and performance so that will be disappointing as well. Has anybody had any experience with this issue in Bergara? Always thought it was one of the better factory brands.


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[WeiserBucks]

It's over pressure likely due to a chamber issue. If different ammo doesn't solve it you'll need to send it back.

 

[WSMHNTR]

Do rounds chamber freely or does it feel tight on closure. Different manufacturer but a buddy had a 6.5 creed experience similar issues and for whatever reason would over pressure on federal fusion ammo. He tried hornady whiteail classic and had zero issues. After measuring and pulling some of the fusions we found he had a very tight chamber and shallow throat.

 

[chrissmithdvm]

Every round chambers fine. Where could I pick up a bore scope relatively cheap and quick?


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[Boarmaster]

This.

 

[Seeknelk]

Every round chambers fine. Where could I pick up a bore scope relatively cheap and quick?


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Amazon. Search for Teslong bore scope. Connects to you phone and you load an app for it. Works very well for maybe $80.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

For a sept hunt, take a different rifle.

 

[rogerdoger]

I had the same problem with my tikka 6.5prc. The Hornady 143 eldx would cause heavy bolt lift and sometimes hard to close the bolt. Started shooting the 147 eldm, have now got close to 100 rounds with no problem.

 

[SDHNTR]

You need to try several different types of ammo.

 

[Tower13]

I have a Bergara Premier 6.5 PRC with Mg Lite Chassis. I am having issues with heavy bolt lift and have been using factory Hornady ELDX 143 grain ammo. It is inconsistent and usually gets harder and harder to lift the more you shoot but every once in a while it’s normal the next round after being heavy before. It is leaving extractor marks on the case as well. I have torqued the action screws to 55 and have thoroughly cleaned the chamber as well as the lug recess and barrel. It performs well all that being said but worried about pressure and not being able to cycle another round being able to getting a follow up shot while staying on the gun. It’s a two handed process to cycle when the bolt lift is heavy. I called Bergara and they said to send it in but it will be 3 month lead time. I have a hunt in September that costs a small fortune, HELP!!

same thing happened with my 6.5 creed. I cleaned it up reel good and I switched ammo and it worked fine.

 

[Marble]

Every round chambers fine. Where could I pick up a bore scope relatively cheap and quick?


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My local gun shop has a great gunsmith and will check a bore with his scope for free. He's even walked out and shown me issues in the past, and we've discussed solutions. I've been a long-time customer, so your shop may or may not charge you.

I suspect it may be a combination of things, but the circle you mentioned on the case makes me think there is something in the chamber. I've had this happen also.

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[sniper20]

I had a Rem 700 in 308 a long time ago that had the same issue you describe. (This was way before suppressor days for me) Turned out the chamber was incorrectly reamed. While it did pass on the go/no go gauge, upon inspection of the fired brass, the chamber was cut short. We had to have the chamber reamed and no issues after that. From what I was told, it was probably a barrel that was cut on a worn reamer and didn't get caught.

 

[chrissmithdvm]

Thanks for all of the info. I shot different ammo thru it and even had the bolt hard to close as well with this ammo so I’m sending it in


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[ddowning]

Honestly, if you have a hunt that costs a small fortune, a new gun to solve the problem is cheap. Also, if you have a gunsmith you trust with a 6.5 blank and a 6.5 prc reamer, you could just have it rebarreled. Good, fast, cheap, pick two.

I will add, after shooting exclusively gunsmith cut one at a time chambers for prs for nearly a decade, I am not at all excited about shooting a mass production factory or prefit company chamber. Some prefit companies are fine. The question is how they indicate the barrel to run concentric to the reamer. Some have fixtures and run floating reamers, they don't even indicate. The chambers you get from them are vastly different than the guy chambering one or two barrels a day and monkeying around until the .0000050 indicator barely moves. A few companies have figured out how to indicate to .0001 or less very quickly and their barrels usually hammer. That is the route I would go in your situation. Then I would send the gun in to Bergara after season to be fixed. Then, if the factory barrel happens to shoot good, you have a backup.

 

[chrissmithdvm]

Honestly, if you have a hunt that costs a small fortune, a new gun to solve the problem is cheap. Also, if you have a gunsmith you trust with a 6.5 blank and a 6.5 prc reamer, you could just have it rebarreled. Good, fast, cheap, pick two.

I will add, after shooting exclusively gunsmith cut one at a time chambers for prs for nearly a decade, I am not at all excited about shooting a mass production factory or prefit company chamber. Some prefit companies are fine. The question is how they indicate the barrel to run concentric to the reamer. Some have fixtures and run floating reamers, they don't even indicate. The chambers you get from them are vastly different than the guy chambering one or two barrels a day and monkeying around until the .0000050 indicator barely moves. A few companies have figured out how to indicate to .0001 or less very quickly and their barrels usually hammer. That is the route I would go in your situation. Then I would send the gun in to Bergara after season to be fixed. Then, if the factory barrel happens to shoot good, you have a backup.

I have 2 other custom guns that I will take. This one is a pound lighter so I was hoping it was quick fix. Thanks


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[Vern400]

The responses you're getting are good. I didn't read them all in great detail. I guess one thing is gnawing at me. You say you cleaned the chamber really good. Excellent idea.
But did you DRY IT completely of oil? Was there any residual corrosion protection film on the ammo?

If I want to flatten a primer and get heavy bolt lift I can just lube a case and then shoot it.

That's guaranteed to look like a problem.

 

[chrissmithdvm]

The responses you're getting are good. I didn't read them all in great detail. I guess one thing is gnawing at me. You say you cleaned the chamber really good. Excellent idea.
But did you DRY IT completely of oil? Was there any residual corrosion protection film on the ammo?

If I want to flatten a primer and get heavy bolt lift I can just lube a case and then shoot it.

That's guaranteed to look like a problem.

I’ve never oiled it as I just got it this summer. I only oil after season. But yes, the necks are blacker after firing


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