When you say "I have to hit the bolt with my palm to get it to open" is that to unlock the bolt, or to extract the spent case?
If it's to unlock the bolt it may be the head space, or you may need to do some polishing on the lugs. Do not use a file.
Only use steel wool grade 0 or 00 and oil.
If it's just to extract the spent case check the chamber for signs of corrosion if it's good have a smith check the head space.
"Have the head space checked with a .303 BRIT gauge, not a sammi gauge."
madcratebuilder
If thats good take the thing home and clean it, and clean it good.
I have a SMLE and a Mosin-Nagant both of which had this problem, and I spent about 6 hours cleaning each one.