Tikka T3 problem, Bolt tough to open after shot!!!
- Thread starter DVXDUDE
- Start date
I've had this issue a number of times. At first it was just getting tougher to cam open occasionally. Then suddenly once I had to pound the bolt back. I was clueless, thought it was pressure from my hand loads even though it was happening at minimum level loads.
I tried factory rounds and occasionally the same thing. Then I noticed I could not re chamber any fired casings more than 3/4 the way.
I posted my troubles on here, I got all sorts of expert advise from a defective chamber, coarse finish, bolt cam timing.
Well my chamber appeared great, smooth and glossy. I looked into the timing. Well it was a little off. I corrected it.
Back out shooting we go... It would cam open/back to full bolt lift easier and I could rap the bolt open with my palm rather than a stick which was better but I still could not re-chamber.
I can't recall exactly what made me think to really scrub the chamber but I did. I zip tied some strips of 3m scotch bright pads to a dowel, soaked them in solvent and couldnt believe how much crap was coming out. I cleaned and cleaned till it was.....clean.
I had a bucket of casing fired from that gun that moments before absolutely would not chamber and if I pushed too hard required a rap to remove.... Each and every one not only cycled smooth but I could drop them all the way in, tilt my rifle and they'd fall out.
After firing a few hundred more rounds it started getting stiff again. I cleaned the chamber again and all was fine again.
I don't know what the cause is, maybe the case lube hardening under pressure, or debris blown onto and sticking to the lube on the cartridges in the mag by the brake or a combination of both.
.....but it looked and felt great!!!
Lessons learnt... Don't over look the basics.
I tried factory rounds and occasionally the same thing. Then I noticed I could not re chamber any fired casings more than 3/4 the way.
I posted my troubles on here, I got all sorts of expert advise from a defective chamber, coarse finish, bolt cam timing.
Well my chamber appeared great, smooth and glossy. I looked into the timing. Well it was a little off. I corrected it.
Back out shooting we go... It would cam open/back to full bolt lift easier and I could rap the bolt open with my palm rather than a stick which was better but I still could not re-chamber.
I can't recall exactly what made me think to really scrub the chamber but I did. I zip tied some strips of 3m scotch bright pads to a dowel, soaked them in solvent and couldnt believe how much crap was coming out. I cleaned and cleaned till it was.....clean.
I had a bucket of casing fired from that gun that moments before absolutely would not chamber and if I pushed too hard required a rap to remove.... Each and every one not only cycled smooth but I could drop them all the way in, tilt my rifle and they'd fall out.
After firing a few hundred more rounds it started getting stiff again. I cleaned the chamber again and all was fine again.
I don't know what the cause is, maybe the case lube hardening under pressure, or debris blown onto and sticking to the lube on the cartridges in the mag by the brake or a combination of both.
.....but it looked and felt great!!!
Lessons learnt... Don't over look the basics.
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