I just got a “new” LMT BCG from Grant. However, I am shocked at the appearance of the bolt face. It looks like there are indentations in the metal around the bolt face, and it looks like it had a good couple hundred rounds through it. Is this normal for a “brand new” bolt? What could be done to it to make it look like this?
Here are the photos:
Bolt face 1
Bolt face 2
LMT extensively test-fires their BCGs… yours is the same as all
My LMT bolt was test fired also. Looks fine to me.
+1 to the above replies.Although I can’t see the pictures due to crappy 10 year old computer.
But yeah all the LMT bolts I have got were covered in powder fouling and brass.
Paul at BCM has a notice in the LMT BCG description that says the bolts will have fouling and brass due to extensive test fire.So its a very common question.
Personally I like the fact that the BCG’s have been tested thoroughly.
If you do see an issue once the BCG is cleaned up simply contact LMT.
I clean the face of my bolts, with an application of Break-Free Foam Bore Cleaner. I let the FBC sit on the bolt face for the recommended waiting period, then follow up with a q-tip.
If your looking to remove this evidence from LMTs test firing, you might consider trying some BF FBC. 
Correct.
C4
I don’t care about fouling too much, but if you look at the photos, there are striations going away from the firing pin hole, etched into the bolt’s face, which is the cause of my concern.
Shoot the shit out of it.
It’s a spare BCG. Hopefully it will be gathering dust for many moons, unless I get a new rifle. 
gathering dust means you ain’t shooting enough. I’d rather be shooting than on this stinking computer. For me, spares miraculously turn into complete rifles 
That bolt will be fine.