r/canadaguns • u/me002756 • May 03 '26

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

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.

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u/MourningWood1942 May 03 '26

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

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u/FD4L May 04 '26 edited May 04 '26

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.

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u/me002756 May 04 '26

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.