Any concerns regularly dry-cycling the action/bolt (NOT dry-firing) on a centrefire rifle?

[u/me002756]

I have a fairly new Ruger GSR .308 WIN that I have been practicing with and breaking-in, as a new shooter. I have been running drills at home, cycling the action about 200 times per week to help 'break-in' the action, since it was very sticky at first. It seems to be improving gradually (likely due both to improved form/familiarity and 'poIishing' the bolt). I cycle the bolt action 100 times without snap caps, and then continue 100 more times with snap caps. I do NOT ever press the trigger or dry-fire the rifle during these drills (though I have read that it's largely fine to do so, but it might wear the firing pin quicker).
I would like to continue the drills indefinitely to help keep me familiar with the firearm and engaging its action, far beyond when it's broken in.

So, my question is, will continuing these drills and cycling the bolt like this, with or without snap caps, hasten the wear of any components of the rifle? If I am not dry-firing or pressing the trigger, does the absence of snap caps cause any more harm than when they're used?

I did search a few forums for insights first, but most information seems to more directly address dry-firing (including pressing the trigger) and its effects on wearing the firing pin more than anything else.

[u/MourningWood1942]

Nah you are good, I cycled my American ranch like 1000 times and now it’s smooth as butter

[u/FD4L → u/MourningWood1942]

Same. They have that bit of zip when theyre new, but a couple thousand cycles and a skim of grease and the action slides back and forth by tilting the rifle now.

[u/TheSockington → u/FD4L]

Zip is a perfect description of the S&W 1854 when new. You could hear the tightness when cycling and 300rounds and a bunch of cycling later and it’s smooth and quiet.

[u/me002756 → u/FD4L]

I have purchased 600 grit (and 320 grit) lapping compound and I intend to run cycle drills with the lapping compound applied maybe once or twice (200-400 bolt cycles)... maybe only with the 600 grit. The action is already beginning to slide smoothly and reliably, but I hope this will assist the process a bit too because it was rather unpolished from the factory.

[u/me002756 → u/MourningWood1942]

That's reassuring! I've noticed considerable improvement in the first few weeks.

[u/arecus25]

To put your mind at ease: No, you aren’t hurting the rifle.

These rifles are designed to withstand the shock of thousands of high pressure explosions, so in comparison what you are doing is incredibly low stress.

One thing I might add is that you should not run it bone dry, throw on a few drops of lube so that way it acts as a polishing procedure. Every few hundred cycles wipe the the old lube out and apply a fresh layer to remove the old abrasive particles.

[u/i-Hermit → u/arecus25]

Where do you lube? Like at the lugs?

[u/CanadianBoyEh → u/i-Hermit]

Little bit of oil on the bolt body, wiping away the excess, and some grease on the rear of the lugs. Demo from MDT here.

[u/i-Hermit → u/CanadianBoyEh]

Sweet thanks

[u/me002756 → u/arecus25]

Thank you for the insights. Every other week or so, I apply some lube or a drop or two of gun grease while performing the drills.

For the first time, in a couple weeks, I'll try applying 600 grit lapping compound just once or twice, to also help with polishing.

[u/some_guy2024]

There are zero issues from dry-firing a center-fire rifle. Rimfire is a different story.

[u/julienjj]

None ! Larp in your basement as much as you want :)

[u/No-Night-48]

No. Just ensure it has proper Diddy's baby oil in there, and cycle away for the rest of your life.

[u/walebrush]

Any firearm that breaks just from cycling its actions isn't worth your money to begin with

[u/Steelringin]

I've dry-fired, and by extension cucled, all of my guns thousands of times. Some of my pistols it's gotta be 10's of thousands. I'm sure you'll be fine.