Well, now I've done it.

[glypnir]

I just ordered myself a brand-spankin' new I-Bolt.

866022 - 30-06, Realtree All Purpose camo synthetic stock, Weathershield.

I ordered it at the store next to the range where I normally shoot.

I was willing to pay them some more since I have been fondling various rifles of theirs trying to decide what to get. But they're only about 20 bucks more than the web price.

I tried lever actions, bolt actions, semi-autos, even pump action rifles. I got so far into analysis paralysis that I gave up and went with brand loyalty.

I'll try to give a report on how it goes. It's due in on Monday, but I probably won't get an opportunity to shoot it until next weekend.

 

[jcall]

Sounds like you got yourself a winner there. Post some pics if you can.

 

[ACP230]

I have eyed those and will also be interested in how it shoots.

 

[glypnir]

Well, I haven't fired it yet, but I've been dry firing it, and running snap caps and once in a while live rounds through the action.

I'm not a real expert on bolt actions, but it doesn't seem to be working perfectly. The first round generally feeds perfectly, the second one always seems to, but the third, next to last round seems to be problematic.

Lots of the time, it seems to get popped out of the magazine before its time. Sometimes, it flies out when the second round gets ejected. Sometimes it just comes lose before the bolt goes forward, and then it stovepipes.

Or it will come lose enough so that the last round pops up to the top, and then the bolt will try to shove both of them into the chamber together. That's the worst.

I have cleaned and lubed the bolt, chamber , feed ramp, etc., of course.

Any thoughts?

I think that I should try shooting it, and see what that does to things, as I am ejecting a full round or snap cap, rather than a spend casing, but still, I would like to be able to dry practice with the bolt.

Or are my expectations unrealistic. Am I asking too much?

Any suggestions?

 

[glypnir]

Here's a picture of the box end. I'm too busy fighting with it to take its picture yet. Got to keep you in suspense.

 

[ACP230]

If it is misfeeding snap caps I'd stop using them and just dry fire without caps.

I'd try it with live rounds at the range and if it misfed them contact S&W and ask about a fix.

 

[glypnir]

I probably will go shoot it anyway, just to see what happens, but I've also posted this question on the lounge, where it may get some other suggestions.

I've asked my local expert at work, and he says I should take it back to the shop and see what they say. They're right next to the range where I will take it to shoot it, so that's another possibility.

 

[glypnir]

Well, I went and shot it today. It seemed pretty accurate, but it wasn't a fair test because:

3. It wasn't sighted in yet.

2. It was only a 25 yard range (indoors, it's too hot to shoot outside)

1. I'm a lousy shot.

Still, until the recoil started getting to me, the 2 shot groups I was shooting for sighting purposes were right next to each other.

The recoil pad seems pretty soft, perhaps too soft. The only 30.06 I've shot before was an M1 - both heavy and semi-auto. This 7 pound bolt action kicks stouter. I should have bought a heavier scope.

The first time through things fed well, and I thought, well, I just needed to shoot it to fix it. But then it started messing up pretty continuously with the feeding, just like when I was dry firing it.

Still I went through 20 rounds.

I wanted to fire it before I sent it back to Smith and Wesson. I sent them an email a few days ago, and I don't seem to have a response. Now that I've shot it, I'll try calling them on Monday if I remember.

Maybe I'll post some pictures.

 

[glypnir]

Well some more pictures. Perhaps I'll stroll out this evening and take some natural light pictures, but it's just too hot right now.

Here it is with the marketing paper still on it, ready to get a scope instead:

I guess this is why they call it the I-bolt. If you look closely, you should be able to see the extra track that lets you just take the bolt out without any tools:

Here's the bolt face. It does extract nicely:

Also note the 3 lug design, so it's a 60 degree turn, rather than a 90.

And the handle doesn't look like it is coming off easily:

And just to prove that it's a Smith and Wesson:

 

[Titan]

Nice looking gun.

Do you plan to hunt with it, or is it a target gun?

.

 

[glypnir]

Nice looking gun.

Do you plan to hunt with it, or is it a target gun?

.

Right now, it's my only centerfire rifle, so it's got to be all things. I don't have any long term plans for it at this point.

I'm going to try to get it and me working tolerably well together at the range. I hope that's a short term plan.

I've got a vague idea that I may hunt some feral hogs with it one of these days, but that's just a vague idea.

Just after I bought it, my wife opined that she wasn't interested in hunting four legged critters, but she would like to try hunting two-legged ones.

She meant birds, what were you thinking?

So since she's the worlds best travel companion and SCUBA buddy, maybe she'll be a good dove hunting companion too, so the rifle hunting may be on hold.

 

[SleazyRider]

Twistin'

I, too, have the i-bolt in .30-06, but with the plain black synthetic stock, topped with a Mueller 3-9X40 Sport Dot illuminated reticle scope. I installed Hush-Stalker sling swivels (Uncle Mike's don't fit), and a Turner Biothane all-weather sling. Couldn't be more pleased.

Are you "nursing" the bolt, by any chance? By that I mean going through the motion slowly? Mine seems to like more deliberate handling. As with any bolt-action rifle, one of the key ingredients in not to use your bolt-hand alone to work the action; use the hand that is grasping the forestock as well. The two hands work in concert to operate the bolt in one, smooth but deliberate action, the left hand twisting the forestock in clockwise direction as the bolt hand twists the bolt counter-clockwise.

I certainly don't wish to suggest you're not operating the bolt correctly; just passing on what my i-bolt has taught me.

Please keep us posted!

 

[glypnir]

I
Are you "nursing" the bolt, by any chance? By that I mean going through the motion slowly? Mine seems to like more deliberate handling. As with any bolt-action rifle, one of the key ingredients in not to use your bolt-hand alone to work the action; use the hand that is grasping the forestock as well. The two hands work in concert to operate the bolt in one, smooth but deliberate action, the left hand twisting the forestock in clockwise direction as the bolt hand twists the bolt counter-clockwise.

I certainly don't wish to suggest you're not operating the bolt correctly; just passing on what my i-bolt has taught me.

Please keep us posted!

I've tried nursing it, slamming it, and everything in between. Regardless of what I do, those right wing bullets slide right in, but those left wingers are just uncooperative.

As an uncooperative left winger myself, it only seems like poetic justice.

I don't mind suggestions like that. I have a real capability for ignoring the obvious, and I am far from an expert on bolt actions. I'm learning though.

I like the way the rifle handles, though. It feels good to point it, and I can get it to hold nice and still. At least until a few shots get my red headed adrenal glands going.

 

[Titan]

Right now, it's my only centerfire rifle, so it's got to be all things. I don't have any long term plans for it at this point.

I'm going to try to get it and me working tolerably well together at the range. I hope that's a short term plan.

I've got a vague idea that I may hunt some feral hogs with it one of these days, but that's just a vague idea.

Just after I bought it, my wife opined that she wasn't interested in hunting four legged critters, but she would like to try hunting two-legged ones.

She meant birds, what were you thinking?

So since she's the worlds best travel companion and SCUBA buddy, maybe she'll be a good dove hunting companion too, so the rifle hunting may be on hold.

It sounds like she's a great sport. Keep working on her regarding the hunting thing.

My wife and I now shoot together and it's great to have that bond (interest in guns and shooting sports), especially as the kids leave home and you begin to age together.

Good luck with the I-bolt and keep us posted.
.

 

[glypnir]

I'm ready for those kids to leave home. They should have by now, but it's hard to get them to stay away. I'm ready for empty nest syndrome.

The rifle will be going away, back home to papa, too. I sent an e-mail to Smith and Wesson last week, and hadn't heard anything back. Unless they mailed me a shipping label, but I haven't seen one yet.

Called this morning, and the shipping label is supposed to be on its way.

Calling seems to work much better than e-mail.

 

[Ky Bob]

Nice looking rifle. I was searching for a new rifle last week and plum forgot about the i-bolt. Ended up buying a Weatherby Vanguard Sporter in 7mm-08.

 

[GB]

Looks like a nice unit to me. Congrats! Just wanted to touch on a point you made in your opening post. You said that you bought it from the local dealer at the range. Good plan! He made a couple a bucks, you got the gun reasonable and he gets to stay in business. Far to often we don't think much of the local dealer until one day we drive up to get a box of ammo or some cleaning stuff and there is a sign in the window that says: "Gone out of business" When I moved to this area there were maybe ten places that sold guns, counting wally world and another chain. Today there are 4. Even the pawn shops have quit selling guns. So cultivate that local dealer, if you can. Sometimes it can be tough but if you find one that you can get along with, it is worth it. Sorry that it isn't running up to snuff but the guys in the S&W shop will get it fixed up.

 

[glypnir]

Well, I finally brought myself to ship it back. I went to my local little pack and ship, and got a 6X6X48" box, bubble wrap, and plastic peanuts, and the guy packed it up for me.

I didn't want to ship back that all important Smith and Wesson box and the nice carrying case that comes with it. Kept all that.

Since it's a long arm, it goes by Fedex ground. So it may take a while.

 

[glypnir]

According to Fedex, it was delivered to Smith and Wesson this morning. Signed for by AVOUGHN.

But I'm not watching its progress anxiously or obsessively or anything.

 

[glypnir]

Woohoo, Wohoo, Woohoo.

It's back, it's back, it's back. And it seems to work.

Got one of those famous terse comments from S&W:

REPLACE MAG

REPLACE MAG FOLLOWER


Whatever, I checked it out before coming to work this morning, it feeds the snap caps just fine, fast or slow. It didn't do that before.

More dry firing tonight, hope to get to the range on the weekend.

Maybe I'll even measure the hole for the recoil reducer.