Very rough bolt on Rem. 541s

[harrygoat]

This rifles' bolt is very rough to work. Raising or lowering the bolt with a cartridge in and out of the chamber takes to much effort,unfired or fired, if the bolt is just cycled empty it's not to bad. My chamber seems fine.
I'm sure there several ways to smooth things up but I need to know the best way
Thanks harrygoat

[longgun]

If you have a scope on the rifle,  check to see if the mounting screws on the rear are a little too long.   This would cause the bolt to bind.   I had one once and added a second screw mounting hole to the action.  This caused a burr inside that made the bolt rough until I polished the burr out.   On the 581 which is the same action as the 541,  I've had to lap the bolt and action with valve grinding compound to smooth things up.   This works well but you might need to touch up the blue afterward.   Don