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Lapping the locking lugs on a bolt into the lug recesses of a receiver is a pretty standard job when accurizing a bolt-action rifle. Let me show you how to do this simple job:
Start by attaching the receiver to a holding fixture and then clamp the fixture into a vise. The contact surfaces are located on the back of the lugs, and using a bit of layout fluid will let us see the amount of contact.
The spring-loaded plunger in this Baker lug lapping tool pushes the bolt rearward, forcing contact between the lugs and the recesses.
Screw the tool into the receiver and work the bolt handle up and down. You can see how little contact we have to start.
To increase the level of contact, use a bit of 600-grit lapping compound and apply it to the back of the lugs. Work the bolt handle up and down, frequently checking your progress until you have at least 80% contact. See the difference?
With some layout fluid and a simple fixture, we're one step closer to building a truly accurate rifle.
-- Larry Potterfield
