Savage 10MLII issues

[magnus]

Trying to figure out what's happening with my 10ML2....

Am shooting 43gr of 4759 (was able to find a few lbs last year) under either a 290gr Barnes TEZ or a 300gr Barnes MZ Expander.   Accuracy has been good.  But recently I started having an issue with after 2-3 shots, having the bolt being very difficult to open . . . along with the bore holding onto ramrod w/ cleaning patch.   A couple of times almost impossible to pull back out.  Had to remove bolt & breech plug, and push through.    

I'm in Iowa, weather is cold, shots/loads are approx 5-min apart.  Hard to believe its overheating and my load is well within limits, as far as I know.

Anyone have any thoughts as to what might be going on?    Thanks in advance......

[mshm99]

Do you clean regularly. Vent liner erosion.

[BOBinIN]

Lightly wet your clean patch with alcohol, that makes it very easy to pull or push the ramrod.

[mshm99]

Plastic fouling

[cuda]

Give your barrel a really good cleaning and clean the breach plug too. Then push a bullet and sabot down the bore to see how it fits before you are done. JB bore bright will clean it out but it all takes some time to get it clean.

[dannoboone]

Where are you in Iowa? I'm about half way between
C.R. and Waterloo.

The heavy bolt lift problem is caused by carbon build
up in the breech plug and/or the vent hole opening up
larger than .035. This can be measured by the largest
torch tip cleaner which will pass through the hole and
measuring it with calipers. If the measurement is larger
than .035, the vent liner needs to be replaced. Carbon
build up in the breech plug can be removed with a 5/32
drill bit run through the primer pocket end, down to
the end of the vent liner. I take it slow, holding onto
the end of the drill bit with a pair of pliers or vice
grips and turning the BP with the other hand. Carbon
build up can be very hard and some soak in in cleaner
over night before cleaning.

I use a nylon brush under a cleaning patch slightly
wetted with cleaner, followed with a dry patch for
the bore when needed. The nylon bristles are more
forgiving.

[jims]

You will not believe the amount of carbon build up that accumulates.

[mshm99]

All good advice. Eroded vent liner will increase pressure on the primer ,which in turn will make the bolt hard to lift. A serious clean up of every thing will put things right. I have drill bits just for cleaning breach plug.  I have torch cleaner files that I use as a "go/no go" check . Do it regular basis

[magnus]

THANKS GUYS!! Got side tracked for a year (bought a .45 Brux barrel for my TC Encore in the interim! . . . which shoots amazing, BTW) and just getting to reading some of these replies now. Will evaluate breech plug / liner and do some more shooting.

Much appreciated!