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Tikka bolt problem
When I chamber a round in my 308 it seems difficult to push the bolt handle down and lift back up to un chamber a round, a couple times at the range I had a difficult time getting the bolt open after the shot, very tight, not normal, my 270 is nothing like that, any suggestions?
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17 Replies
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Are they hand loads or factory rounds?
My 300wsm did not like factory loaded winchester ammo at all.
Always very difficult to lift bolt handle after firing.
Never a problem with any other manufacture or hand loads. -
If you reloading your own you need to adjust your die , if there factory try a different maker some manufactures make there rounds to the max on the sammi spec like ppu and the chamber in your rifle might be a little tight.
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Im useing factory ammo, I've tried 4 different brands all with the same results, I'm sure the problem is with the rifle, I haven't shot it very much but when I do there's always a problem, my son used it to shoot his elk this year, after he shot he chambered another round but didn't need to shoot again, when he went to un chamber the gun he told me the bolt was stuck and the safety was stuck in half position, he told me he had to force the safety forward with alot of pressure and when he did that the gun fired, luckily the gun was pointed in the air and not his hunting buddy, I've read other stories of stuck bolts and safeties stuck in half positions, I think I don't know enough about rifles and shooting to deal with this, I'm going to take it to a gun smith, Thanks for the replies
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Maybe I have a headspace problem? Seems to be comon from what I've read
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I haven’t heard of a problem ?
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The bolt should never be tight with factory ammo as any SAAMI spec ammo will fit any SAMMI spec chamber. That is the purpose of the SAAMI regulations.
Have the gunsmith look at the chamber and bolt, if there is any real problem get the Tikka Agent involved.
PS: keep the bolt lugs lubed always as a jammed or tight bolt will score the lugs if dry. -
Well in case anyone is interested, I went to the range today with some cheap federal ammo and to my supprise everything cycled perfectly, this is the first time, I'm not going to say it was the ammo until I go to the range a couple more times without any problems, looks like you guys could be right, I hope so, I love that rifle, I was shooting less than 1 inch at 100 yards, thanks for your input, I was almost ready to give up and move on
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Glad your know a lot happier with your Tikka
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Curious problem, cheap ammo works, good ammo is dificult… am I correct in my caracterization?
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Curious problem, cheap ammo works, good ammo is dificult… am I correct in my caracterization?
Turns out there was 2 ammunitions giving me the most problems, Hornady Match OTM W/C and Magtech ammo, since my last post I've been to the range twice shooting Federal power shok and Fusion with 0 problems, also shot Vital shok copper very accurate, I'm gonna stick with Federal copper for all my hunting needs
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Turns out there was 2 ammunitions giving me the most problems, Hornady Match OTM W/C and Magtech ammo, since my last post I've been to the range twice shooting Federal power shok and Fusion with 0 problems, also shot Vital shok copper very accurate, I'm gonna stick with Federal copper for all my hunting needs
As far as I'm concerned, copper ammunition is just fine for hunting (also less lead in your diet) but you can't expect to kill deer, elk, sheep, goat, etc. at 600 yards. Most copper rounds need to be going at 2000 FPS on impact in order to open properly. That limits the effective range of most copper rounds to about 300 yards.
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Thats good advice on range with copper solids…anything further than 300yrds and they are pencil holes.
I shoot 180gr barnes TTSX (T3 Battue 308) when pushing bush, shots are close and devastating on anything inside 200yrds.
When I'm swamp / open field hunting I shoot 180gr Accubond or 200gr Eldx (T3 300wsm), shots are always 300+ yrds. Dropped my whitetail buck at 558yrds this year. It took 2 shots but thats another story that had nothing to do with ammo choice…it was buck fever and a terrible wind call on a moving animal.Shoot placement is still key with anything but thats pretty much my setup for different hunting areas.
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I also am new to Tikka's and had/have an issue with the the Tikka T3X bolt handle being hard to open after firing. I noticed this when I first got it and before I even took it to the range & fired it. When cocked the bolt would cycle as smooth as silk, but once fired it took a lot of effort to operate the action. Since the bolt operated freely when cocked I figured the bolt and lugs were good. I thought it had to be inside the bolt since these are the only parts that move w hen or after firing. I took the bolt apart and inspected it. First I am not a gunsmith so my terminology my not be correct so bear with me. When the gun is cocked the cocking indicator rest in a small slot on the bolt. When the gun is fired the cocking indicator drops down into the deep groove of the bolt. When the action is “worked” re-cocking the bolt the cocking indicator is moved from the deep slot to the shallow slot thus re-cocking it,
Upon inspection of the deep slot I notice a ridge that apparently the cocking indicator rides on. This felt and looked rough so to took a dremmel tool with a buffing wheel and ever so lightly polished it, no lapping compound or anything. I did this just above where the cocking indicator bottoms out into the bolt thinking that the rough spot was causing the bolt to be hard to operate. I didn't do too much just in case I was wrong so far it seems to have helped. Hope this helps. -
My advice is the same for mal and behoit. There seems to be something wrong with your rifles. Send them back with clear complaints. Identifying the problem will not make the return much easier. Take photos, identify manufacturers of ammo. Do all you can to clarify the problem, as beretta is a bit stodgy on complaints. They will on the other hand fix the problem I bet.
Sorry for the delay though -
Eric, took your advise. I returned it just found out it had been repaired and while I have not recieved my rifle back the repair ticket states as follows:
Inspected firearm and noted customers concerns. I have adjusted the headspace and test fired 3 rounds of 140g Hornady ELD match encountering no malfunctions.
5/18/18 JCW
So apparently this is a headspace issue. I guess I will see when I get it back, not sure how the headspace would affect it being hard to open/cock dry firing without a cartridge in the chamber. We will see.
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