loose bolt?

[AJG]

Any Savage owners out there?
I just received my Savage 10GLXP3 in 308Win. Its a great looking gun and I'm very glad so far that I purchased it. I did alot of research on Savages and their reputation was the reason I purchased one. Yeah I know... the scope & rings are medium at best, but until next hunting season roles around, they are what I have. But my question is: Without a round in the chamber, after the trigger has been pulled and the firing pin, fired, is the bolt supposed to loosen up in the action? WHen the bolt is cycled, everything is locked up tight and there is no "wiggle" allowed in the bolt, but after its fired, the bolt seems to loosen up just a bit and there is a bit on up and down play allowed in the handle. Normal?

Thanks
Alex G

 

[Pongo]

My 110C is the same, been like that since I got it new in 1986. It's never been an issue for me.

 

[AJG]

Thanks Pongo. I was just curious is all. Been told its normal so not an issue here as well.

 

[mapsjanhere]

It's that way in a lot of bolt actions. When the action is cocked, the sear engages the firing pin, the firing pin spring pushes the bolt back, the locking lugs are seated tightly in their respective grooves, everything is nice and snug. Once you fire, the spring load goes away, the lugs come lose and allow you to easily operate the bolt.