Sticky Tikka

W

Windknot

Regular
Rating - 100%
12   0   0
Location
Brackley Bay, PEI
I have a new to me, but used, Tikka T3 that is acting up. Fired cases are very hard to extract, both hot factory and mild handloads. The bolt will rotate, but it is stiff, but I have to mortar the rifle to extract the case. The bolt closes with some resistance on some cartridges, none on others. Bolt cycles normally when empty, closing it on a fired case, dry firing and extracting the case replicates the problem. Chambering a resized case, dry firing and extracting will result in resistance to extraction- but not to the extent of the fired brass.

Fired cases don't have any obvious shiny spots that would indicate a burr in the chamber but I have ordered a borescope to be able to have a better look. In the meantime- any ideas? I'm also considering a binding extractor- had that on a Sako once- but I look forward to hearing what you have to say. I live on PEI, so I can't exactly drop in on my local gunsmith...

Rifle shoots well otherwise, factory loads hover just under 1 MOA.

Ideas? Suggestions?
 
Bolt cycles normally when empty, closing it on a fired case, dry firing and extracting the case replicates the problem.
Click to expand...

Typically, rechambering a fired case can give you a tight feel, because the case has expanded to the size of the chamber.

What caliber is it? Factory barrel, or has it been rebarreled?

Can you tell us what factory ammo you're using (you mentioned it being hot) and also give us the deets on your 'mild reloads' (mild in one rifle can = hot in another).

On the 'hot factory' ammo, do you get ejector marks or swipes on the case head?
 
OK, I had a brainwave. I tried the bolt from my .204 Tikka (rifle with issues is a .223, no mods), and could not replicate the issue. So it appears we have a bolt issue, rather than a chamber issue. My handloads are 50gn Winchester grain SP bullets with 24.0 gn H335- no issues with that in my other .223 rifles, apart from the mediocre accuracy I get from the Winchester bullets.

Factory ammo is Hornady Superformance 50gn Vmax. Hot as in flattened primers, but not what I would call excessive. No extractor or ejector marks on brass. Again, works fine in my other .223s
 
Last edited:
Bit late to the party, ever tried opening or removing the front action screw ? Unlikely but could be rubbing against the bolt lug if too long or inlet too deep.
edi
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom