cases sticking

[Famous Shoes]

Bought one of the Zastava M85 "mini-Mausers" in 7.62x39 last month and have been concerned that the bolt closed pretty tight on Wolf steel-cased rounds. But last week, the whole thing seized up after a shot.  I let the action cool, but the bolt still wouldn't cycle.  So I got a little (ahem) aggressive-- I used a 2x4 and a hammer when I got back home in another attempt at freeing the bolt and broke off the bolt handle about 3/8 inch beyond the bolt body. I tried again today, and successfully extracted the case using a wooden hammer handle to focus the blows of a second hammer on the remains of the bolt handle.  So now I'm looking for a smith to replace the bolt handle, and I think I need to have the headspace checked.  I've measured spent casings and they are all uniformly 1.518 inches in length (max case length is 1.528 inch w/ min trim to length of 1.518 inch listed in the reloading books). Haven't tried polishing the chamber. I do have aspirations of a slightly more beefy bolt, slightly longer (maybe 1/4 inch?) and a larger knob. The mini-Mausers are noted for the "small" appearance of their bolts and bolt handles.  Chastisements, observations and suggestions are welcome.

[8uck5nort]

Just curious, but did brass cased ammo work fine?

[gunnut69]

The case measurements seem ok. Perhaps the steel cases which are covered with a rust proofing lacquer which can cause problems in sporting guns with their tighter chambers. I would clean the bore and the chamber with brake cleaner or carb cleaner (cheap Walmart without metal protectant). This will remove melted on lacquer but will leave the metal totally free of any oil. A very light swipe of protectant lube will keep all rust free. A bit of heat on the chamber area may have saved you much trouble.

[SHOOTALL]

By chance are you seeing a build up in the chamber ? Some steel cased ammo has lacquer as a coating to keep rust off , some may have a poly coat or other. When it gets hot sometimes it sticks to chamber walls. I have seen it cause rounds not to chamber. I have also seen the rim stripped when a round stuck.

[Famous Shoes]

Thanks for the suggestions regarding lacquer build-up. I'll try the brake cleaner. Haven't run any brass ammo through it yet.  Bought the rifle partly because I had a few hundred cases of brass that I wanted to play with (reloading-wise), but was using the steel-cased ammo to get it on paper first. Have heard from others that the Zastavas have tight chambers and are stiff to cycle at first, but do break in with time.  I'll let you know how the bolt handle replacement goes. Definitely becoming a project gun.

[fatercat]

don't use junk in your rifle.  save your money and buy good ammo. your life may depend on it someday.

[SHOOTALL]

Don't know about your gun but I have seen several 700's have the bolt handle separate from the bolt and get put back on .

[Goatwhiskers]

All very sound advice about cleaning the chamber, might consider polishing it too.  Main thing is after you get the handle repaired, forget the cheapo ammo.  It's OK in AK's and such but not in a quality rifle.  In addition to the lacquer problem, remember that a steel case does not contract after firing as brass does and this definitely contributed to the problem.  GW

[Famous Shoes]

Good thought about pulling the head off a case w/ aggressive interventions like these.  I wondered about it myself. The gun will be used with brass cases in the future. Talked to a local smith today who seemed interested in the repair job. 

[SHOOTALL]

You might see about a replacement bolt as the cost may be close depending on your gun smith . I know many will say the bolt is matched to the gun. And true to a point but production guns not as much. I have a 700 that shows wear on one lug of the bolt but not the other as much. I have had trouble with a bolt in a Remington and my Gun Smith did not have time to repair it. He had the same gun so he gave me his bolt to use. Might be worth checking out.

[Famous Shoes]

Thanks. I'll look into it. 

[gunnut69]

I strongly recommend checking headspace if a new bolt is installed. It IS dangerous to swap bolts without checking..

[ironglow]

  I have had a Savage 111G  in .223 for years now' and last fall I had a round do the same thing.  I just put it away for a couple months, since I was expecting a visit from my gunsmith grandson.  He cleared it for me without breakage.. but "here's the rest of the story"
   ....It was a Wolf steel cased round..