Tikka misfire.....using safety!

[Eagleye]

An acquaintance of mine had an older Tikka discharge while he had it slung over his shoulder by the sling.
The bolt was also partly open. This rifle was a 338 Win mag.
The bolt flew fully open, the extractor disappeared, and a 225 Partition was lodged halfway up the bore.
The cartridge case was mangled almost beyond recognition.

Scared the living S**t out of him.
Barrel was pointed up, so no injuries, but he said his ear rang for 2 weeks after.

Had the rifle checked out and repaired by a reputable 'smith. He said he could find no reason for the discharge.

Stuff happens....that is why safe handling is soooooo important.

Eagleye

 

[NorthernMopar]

Four times in all the time I am shooting (hunting, skeet or otherwise) that there's a round in the chamber --

Target (animal or otherwise) is in my line of view

Lining up on skeet

Cycling the firearm

Actively expecting an animal to attack.

Walking around with one in the chamber for any other reason, IMHO, is asking for a Darwin. Or worse. (And I have hunted grouse with both shotty and rimfire - chamber stays empty until Im actually about to take the shot.) I was always taught that 'safety' was a misnomer and was really only used in a momentary pause between shots; not to hold back the pin from the round for any length of time more than a moment or two. Hell; isnt that why the old 6 hole revolvers were considered 5 shots? One chamber empty at all times when worn; so I had been taught.

While I fully agree that muzzle control is the final and ultimate control; I was also taught not to tempt fate in such a severe way - anything mechanical can fail.

 

[Rembo]

I have never heard of this with a Tikka, but it's one reason that I like rifles where the bolt can be cycled with the safety on.

my thoughts exactly. Every 700 hunting rifle I've ever owned with a bolt locking safety was modified to allow opening the bolt with the safety engaged. Not that the 700 has a real safety anyway but you know what I mean. Only ones I didn't modify are heavy barrel rigs. Never use the safety on those anyway.

 

[jeffcarr88]

Two basic checks should be done after any trigger adjustment.

First, with an unloaded gun place the safety on "safe" and rifle cocked. With the muzzle elevated pull the trigger hard, take your finger of the trigger and flip the safety off hard. Repeat 10 times, the striker shouldn't drop.

Next, with the safety off and rifle cocked, bounce it lightly on the recoil pad to see if it will jar off. You don't have to go at it like you're harpooning a whale.

I also like to ensure that the striker won't follow down if the bolt slammed shut.

Great info...will share this with some friends, thanks!!!

 

[boxcoach]

I'll probably get some nasty reactions, but I have another theory. You probably believe, 100%, that your finger was not on the trigger, but.....When you have an accidental discharge, your short-term memory can go right out the window. Sort of the same way you can't remember details of a nasty street fight. I've been told, more than once, that I threw the first punch, when I could have sworn the other guy did. It happens. That's the main reason I'd prefer a 3-position safety. Not so much for spontaneous discharge, as for unintentional trigger pull.