Be careful of conservation easements. You lose full control over what you can do or plant on your property. You still own and it can’t be developed for houses like you want but changing the structure and plants is a process
Apply Blue Dykem to the action and barrel area and allow to dry. Put together and shoot, try to get the rifle to mis-behave like you described. Take it apart and look for areas that are missing the Dykem. That would determine if those areas are rubbing. Post pics so we can see them but you most...