Rifle is NIB, but about 20 years old. Pulled the bolt and disassembled, plenty of grease. No wear or tight spots showing. Any ideas? Same basic action as a Pro Hunter or SBS model.
If you are describing “cocking” ... then the feed ramp is probably rough.
Cock it, close it and then re-open without firing - does it open much easier ? If so it’s the bolt cocking ramp being used to charge the firing pin spring that may be rough. I polish them up with a buffer wheel for customers if they have that issue to smooth them out and make cocking easier - also apply some grease there as well.
Yes, hard lift on cocking after after firing. Less stiff if I open the "cocked" bolt. Still harder than another Pro Hunter I had. The ramp looks smooth, and I greased it again. Better but still quite stiff. Perhaps I need to go out and use it a bit. I have had other rifles get much smoother with use.