I have several 91/30 and Finish 39 rifles and they all have a problem. After firing the bolt bolt sticks and is hard to raise up. Tried surplus ammo from different arsenels ,new factory ammo, brass and steel , "cronoed" the bullets, no sign of excess speed or stress on the cases. Head space should be good since all serial # match. Cleaned and pollished the chambers , but still the problem exsists. I know of others who have this same problem. Any ideas? htshot

It could be a few issues. 1st, when you cleaned and Polished the chamber how did you do it? If all the cosmoline was not removed it does polish to a steel like look( and it is steel hard). 2nd, these rifles usually have layers of crud. You can't remove them in one cleaning. Another issue is , Lacquer cased ammo, if it was used you may have added, or the previous shooter added another layer of crud. Try switching your bolts, especially if they are mismatched. Your chamber is the issue. You can polish all you want, but it will make it harder! I would suggest using a soft metal cleaning rod, pistol length. A piece of Green scotch cleaning pad, and a drill w/ Hoppes #9. I always remove the action from the stock, Lock the rod into the drill, thread the pad into the slot, soak well w/ #9, and go to town! If you do you should always clean afterwards as if it is done. The next time check the chamber, you will see Fuzz or flakes. You need to clean more!
The field cleaning of these rifles leaves allot to be desired. Jim

Edit: if you are in the North East I will gladly come over and help you out! Jim

Don't think there is a general answer - simply the characteristic of this action.

Second what J said but I'll add that you can stuff a 4x4 gause bandage into the chamber then soak it with fingernail polish remover and let it sit for a few hours, re-wet as needed, this will help break down any baked on crud.

Have you checked the action, well worn ones will develop a detent that the bolt will hang up on after firing.

***** ALWAYS have the headspace checked by a "competent" gunsmith using the proper gauges, not just ammo!