[done111]

I did not “break-in” my barrel. I cleaned it before I shot it the first time. I cleaned it again after shooting it as well. I didn't see anything looking like copper during the cleaning afterwards, however I wasn't looking for it either. My experience with rifles end with the .22 LR (I have a CZ 452), so copper is a new thing for me to look for. What should it look like on the patch (coppery in color I would guess)? I didn't run a brush, just a lubed/cleaning patch and then around 3 more dry patches which came out clean with the last one. I understand what you are saying about the lug, you want the barrel to sit up against the face of the lug that it touches when tapping the butt of the stock on the ground while the stock is lightly loosened. Just for information, I shot the gun for the first time without disassembling the stock, and then disassembled it after I had shot it and came home.

New Talley rings are on the way and I will install them this week. I also have a scope on my CZ I can swap out if that doesn't do the trick. What do you recommend for “breaking-in” the barrel. Do you think this is causing trouble by not doing that?

Oh yeah, one more thing. The two bolts that hold on the stock are those special torq bolts, I think a T25 if I remember correctly. Are those more susceptible to stripping out? Are people changing those out to allen head types? If so, what is recommended for a change out? What is a good value to torque the bolts to, 40 in-lbs?

[done111]

Thanks for the procedure. I will do that before the next time I shoot. My barrel length extends around 21.25″ total from the receiver. The length of barrel that has stock beside it is 9.75″. Of that 9.75″, a dollar bill will slide down about 6″ of it. Does this sound about right? I don't have it apart right now, but I remember seeing a “rib” in the stock that looked like it was there to support the barrel. Could this be what I'm hitting with the bill? If so, should I be able to float past that with a dollar bill?

[done111]

Thanks for your help……I purchased the Tikka T3 lite, blued barrel in 223 caliber, with a 1:10″ twist. The ammo I shot was Hornady Superformance 55 grain GMX, American Eagle 55 grain FMJ and Winchester 62 grain FMJ. When I shot the gun yesterday for the first time, I had not removed the stock yet, so it was as it was when I purchased it. I slid a dollar in there to check it before I shot the gun and it would slide more than half way toward the receiver and stops a little before the part that tapers up, somewhere between 1/2 and 2/3 of the total barrel/stock interface.

The groupings (if you want to call it that) I would estimate about 5 MOA at a 100 yard distance no matter what ammo used. I know the Tikkas are tack drivers and hope to get this solved.