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ORIGINAL: CamoHunter
I am looking at a rifle that has a bolt with a different serial number engraved on it that what is stamped on the receiver/barrel.
The action works fine but I have not shot the rifle yet.
Does anyone know if this is a major concern?
Thanks, CH
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ORIGINAL: Maine Shooter
Can't see why it wopuld be such a concern. With the parts being such mass produced, a bolt from model A1 will fit model A2 and A3, etc. The #ers are just for assembly line purposes I'd think. Well, unless it's some fancy smancy custom hand lapped gun.
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This gentleman iswrong. I don't know what your rifle is, but the headspace of a batch of military bolt-action weapons is very likely to be different from one rifle to another. The
reason for putting the number on the bolt is so the troops wouldn't use the
WRONG BOLT in a rifle! Bolts were individually fitted and headspaced when the barrels were installed.
Yes, it is a potential problem! Rifles with mismatched bolts have a greater chance of having excessive headspace.
Get the headspace checked by a qualified gunsmith who has a correct headspace gauge for that caliber. If it is OK, then that is one hurdle behind you.
I would not shoot that rifle until the 'smith says it passed!
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