Some rifles feel like you’re racking a car door through gravel until they’ve been oiled like a cast iron skillet. Whether it’s tight tolerances, cheap machining, or just plain rough out of the box, these rifles need a serious bath in oil before they loosen up. Some improve with time. Others just stay gritty unless you keep them soaked.
Remington 770
Right out of the box, the Remington 770 has one of the roughest bolt throws you’ll find. It feels sticky, clunky, and anything but smooth.
A little oil helps, but not much. It’s budget-friendly, sure, but if you like clean cycling, you’re going to get frustrated real quick.
Ruger American Rifle
The Ruger American works—but it’s not exactly silky. The action can feel a little spongy, and the bolt isn’t the smoothest under pressure.
It performs well enough, especially for the price, but you’ll definitely want to lube it up before heading to the range.
Tikka T3x Lite (Before Break-In)
This one might surprise you, but some early-run Tikka T3x models had bolts that felt gritty until they were broken in. Out of the box, they weren’t always buttery.
Once you cycle it a few hundred times and run a good oil through it, the difference is night and day. But it’s not magic straight from the factory.
Savage Axis
The Savage Axis is another budget rifle where the bolt feels like it’s grinding on sand. It’ll fire reliably, but the bolt doesn’t glide like you might expect.
It gets better with time, but only after a few cleanings and a generous splash of oil. Until then, expect some stiffness.
Winchester XPR
The Winchester XPR tends to be a little sticky when new. It’s accurate, no doubt, but the action doesn’t feel refined unless you give it some help.
A solid cleaning and plenty of lube can smooth things out, but it’s not winning any awards for bolt feel right out of the gate.
Mossberg Patriot
Mossberg got a lot right with the Patriot, but the bolt action isn’t one of them. It often feels notchy, especially in cheaper calibers.
An oil treatment helps, but you may still notice some resistance unless you’ve put some serious rounds through it.
CZ 557
Known for accuracy, the CZ 557 has an action that can feel surprisingly tight. It’s not exactly rough, but it’s not fluid either until it’s been worked in.
After a few sessions and a good oil job, the cycling gets easier. Still, it’s not as slick out of the box as many expect from CZ.
Remington Model 710
The Model 710 has long been criticized for its bolt feel. Even after lubing it up, the bolt is still chunky and unpredictable.
If you don’t mind giving it a little extra care, it’ll shoot. But don’t expect smooth operation unless it’s freshly oiled and cleaned.
Weatherby Vanguard Series 2
These rifles are solid shooters, but they don’t always win folks over with bolt feel. The action can feel a little gritty, especially in early use.
Give it some oil and a break-in period, and it smooths out. Just know going in that it’s not going to feel like a custom job on day one.
Howa 1500 (Cold and Dry)
The Howa 1500 usually gets praise, but in colder climates or straight out of storage, that bolt gets stiff. It needs oil and warmth to really shine.
When well-oiled, it’s a different story. But if you’re running it dry in freezing temps, you’ll feel every inch of resistance.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
