Thanks for the responses, chaps (or chapettes?)

Given your comments about the bolt action, I've had a rethink. It's difficult to know if one persons 'graunchy' is another's 'bit stiff' as this is rather subjective. So the nearest I could get was to hand it over to my girlfriend (who hates guns) and make her operate the bolt. This seems to prove that I was being too fussy as she had no trouble with it.
If I try to push it all the way down in the rear slot it doesn't want to go past half-way, but half-way is enough to fully cock it so the answer seems obvious. The fact is, if I just use it without the concerns that come with having just parted with £500 it's ok really. Still nothing like as slick as an 80 year old SMLE though.
Saturday tomorrow so a chance to chuck some more lead through it.

Safe and happy shooting to all