Tuning an Omark

[tentman]

Hello Folks

I have an Omark M44 with the Nielson adaptor, Krieger 1:8 barrel, Anschutz style stock in 223 (with the proper bolt head and primary extraction modification).

It shoots pretty good and I can shoot possibles out to 600 in FTR class BUT the action is pretty "coarse" to operate, particularly on closing. I can sort of forgive the heavyish bolt lift due to the 60 degree thing but I feel it should close with less effort. It does have a fairly tight chamber (.250" neck) and I have tried "bumping" the head-space but it doesn't make any difference.

Is it possible to tune it better - bolt timing, camming surfaces - any ideas welcome

Thanks
Foster

[mike H]

Hello Folks

I have an Omark M44 with the Nielson adaptor, Krieger 1:8 barrel, Anschutz style stock in 223 (with the proper bolt head and primary extraction modification).

It shoots pretty good and I can shoot possibles out to 600 in FTR class BUT the action is pretty "coarse" to operate, particularly on closing. I can sort of forgive the heavyish bolt lift due to the 60 degree thing but I feel it should close with less effort. It does have a fairly tight chamber (.250" neck) and I have tried "bumping" the head-space but it doesn't make any difference.

Is it possible to tune it better - bolt timing, camming surfaces - any ideas welcome

Thanks
Foster

Remove the firing pin and spring from the bolt,then check if the bolt body closes freely,it should,if so try and chamber some of your ammunition.If it is still tight you may need a small base sizing die,make sure the cases are not over length,try and find where the tight spot is.

[Wakey7]

Do you put a little lube on the bolt locking lugs ?

Cheers Wakey 7

[trxdick]

Tentman, I think the advice to remove the firing pin and spring to test there is no interference with the bolt and a sized case is is good advice. If it closes freely there then the cocking piece on the bolt may be picking up the trigger sear a little too early which means the firing pin spring needs to compress a little making it heavy to close the bolt. I had this problem when I fitted a Davies trigger to my Omark. The advice I received to remedy this was to file back the square edge of the cocking piece carefully with a safe edge file a little at a time until the bolt closes without any forward pressure required (probably less than 0.5mm required). A gunsmith or armorer that knows Omarks should be able to do this easily if you aren't happy to DIY. In the end I fitted the Davies trigger to my other Omark and the differences in manufacturing tolerances were such that it worked fine on that rifle with no modification. The bolt lift is always heavy as you mentioned.

Cheers, Richard.