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bolt stuck in t3
Posted by argyle1 on August 9, 2015 at 5:17 amhi guys
I just got back from a sheep hunt in northern BC with my T3. As I was having trouble with bolt handle being pulled open from catching on the brush, I left it cocked with the safety on (no round in chamber). I have not been able to get the bolt out since. I took off the trigger assembly, and it appears that the bottom rear end of the firing pin (with the red indicator on it) is caught in the trigger slot in the action under the bolt, preventing the bolt from turning. Has anyone else had this happen, or have any ideas on how to get the bolt out?
thanks for any advice you may haveargyle1 replied 8 years, 7 months ago 3 Members · 4 Replies -
4 Replies
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1 Bullseye
No, but try taking the action out of the stock and see if you can free it up that way. If not, it's a gunsmith job.
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1 Bullseye
After taking off the trigger assembly I was able to push (pry) back the firing pin with a screw driver through the slot in the bottom of the action, and was able to turn the bolt and remove it at the same time.
I hunt a lot in grizzly country and don't need this to happen again. I'm going to try to get Tikka to explain what actually caused this, and see what can be done to mitigate the cause, before I relegate this rifle to the range. -
105 Bullseyes
Did you by chance torque the bolt handle while in the locked position on a tree or something…applying more force then normal and not noticing it?
I've had the bolt opening issue while pushing Deer several times, it would catch on branches and fall open. Its very annoying to say the least. I was doing the same as you, push the safety on and it seems to cure the problem but I did notice on several occasions that I would catch the bolt on tree and apply a lot of pressure on it and it would move slightly and stick, this is a bigger issue if you have an after market bolt handle like me thats straight and not swept. I've stopped doing this because I was afraid I would actually fall or slip and catch the bolt and damage the safety assembly on the gun. Ive started or try to get in the habit of not locking the safety and holding the gun covering or protecting the bolt as I push through brush. Annoying that you need to be constantly mindful of it but i would not trade the gun for anything.
I've never heard of anyone other then you having an actual failure like this in the field, but I've often thought that it could happen to me and I need to be more mindful of what I'm pushing through and how I protect my rifle. I agree that it is a design flaw in the gun, its evident to anyone who pushes through brush on a hunt.
The bolt does catch and open quite easily, and locking it can cause a major failure as you experienced.
I find the safety to be the only issue I really have with Tikka's in general.Report back and let us know what they say, would be interesting to see Tikka's take on this…
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1 Bullseye
hi Guys
I was suspecting rust in this bolt and a buddy suggested soaking it in CRL — big mistake, it actually blued the bolt. Then I soaked it three days in a bucket of WD40. I got it loosened up and working like new, but lesson learned. Just because it's mostly stainless dosn't mean you shouldn't disassemble and clean/oil the bolt and trigger frequently when hunting in wet weather
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