Heavy bolt lift, rough bolt on new Tikka

[westsloper]

I recently bought a Tikka T3X, and it arrived just the other day. It looks great, but unfortunately the bolt lift is very heavy. There’s a significant difference between the lift on this one and my other Tikka rifle.

The bolt also does not run very smoothly. It’s not horrible, but it seems to stick a little bit while cycling the action sometimes. Also, the action is noisy, sounding sort of like a zipper.

Will things most likely smooth out with use?

The bolt lift is most concerning to me. Anything I ought to check?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[JollyRoger]

Have you cleaned the action and surfaces where the bolt and action touch?

I had one tikka that was not quite as slick as the others.... but it was completely functional and still better than other rifles I had.
It also got better with time.


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[Outdoorsman12b]

I had the same thing and it was an issue with the stock. Had to aggressively free float barrel with dremel and 60 grit sandpaper and then it mated correctly and bolt bind was resolved.

 

[mmanincor]

I would probably think about contacting Tikka/Beretta first before altering anything and just double check with them. That is very unusual for Tikka rifles.

 

[Shane431]

Take it out of the stock and try it. That may show you something.

 

[khuber84]

Tikkas have a heavy bolt lift, due to the 70° angle to fully open vs the 90° of most rifle actions, the short bolt handle makes it worse. I've had 4 tikkas, none were rough, but a longer bolt handle fixed the lift issue.

 

[Sled]

I recently bought a Tikka T3X, and it arrived just the other day. It looks great, but unfortunately the bolt lift is very heavy. There’s a significant difference between the lift on this one and my other Tikka rifle.

The bolt also does not run very smoothly. It’s not horrible, but it seems to stick a little bit while cycling the action sometimes. Also, the action is noisy, sounding sort of like a zipper.

Will things most likely smooth out with use?

The bolt lift is most concerning to me. Anything I ought to check?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

just to clarify, are you talking about after firing a round or just running the bolt dry?

 

[westsloper]

just to clarify, are you talking about after firing a round or just running the bolt dry?

Just running the bolt and dry firing.

I'll give the rifle a deep cleaning and also see what taking it out of the stock will do. Someone mentioned the heavier bolt lift of Tikkas in general - this one is significantly heavier than any Tikka I've handled.

I'd hate to have to take advantage of beretta's "customer service." I can pretty much guarantee they'd tell me everything was within specs. I'm not thinking I'm at that point yet, still lots of things to try.

 

[Sled]

one option might be some lapping compound on the lugs.

 

[PathFinder]

Definitely take it out of the stock and try it. I've seen badly torqued action screws do that exact thing.

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[Desk Jockey]

Definitely take it out of the stock and try it. I've seen badly torqued action screws do that exact thing.

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this. If it sticks without the stock contact tikka.

 

[westsloper]

The issue didn't change with the action out of the stock or with a thorough cleaning. I contacted Beretta, and they recommended that I ship the rifle to their service center (at my own expense, of course) and to expect a 3 month wait or longer.

I guess this is on me for accepting the rifle from the FFL instead of having it sent back. I should've done a more thorough inspection.

 

[Rob5589]

The issue didn't change with the action out of the stock or with a thorough cleaning. I contacted Beretta, and they recommended that I ship the rifle to their service center (at my own expense, of course) and to expect a 3 month wait or longer.

I guess this is on me for accepting the rifle from the FFL instead of having it sent back. I should've done a more thorough inspection.

May be worth it to have a local gunsmith check it out. I'd do that before I'd send it in.

 

[16Bore]

I’d be quite tempted to swap firing pins with your other Tikka and see how it feels. And/or cycle it without the firing pin and see what’s what.

 

[khuber84]

Heck swap the entire bolt with one ur other rifles and see how it runs. They all headspace within a few thousandths. That'll dictate if it's the action or bolt body itself. You don't have scope bases on it do you? Too long of screws can bind the bolt, or a crooked rail can put stress on action and cause it to bind as well.

 

[16Bore]

Heck swap the entire bolt with one ur other rifles and see how it runs. They all headspace within a few thousandths. That'll dictate if it's the action or bolt body itself. You don't have scope bases on it do you? Too long of screws can bind the bolt, or a crooked rail can put stress on action and cause it to bind as well.

Winner winner chicken dinner!

When I was modifying Talley bases, the front base screw had to be shortened to keep from interfering with the bolt. Front action screw worth checking too. Sharpie on the head will tell you the story.

 

[westsloper]

I took out the bolt and disassembled it again. I cleaned off the firing pin with brake cleaner a little more thoroughly this time. I also made sure I really got into every nook and cranny of the inside of the receiver. It definitely made a difference. The bolt runs very smooth now.

The bolt lift is better but still noticeably heavier than my other Tikka. I swapped bolts, and sure enough, the bolt off the new rifle had a heavier lift whichever gun it was in.

The bolt lift is not heavy enough to make it worth sending back to Beretta. I can live with it, although I really hope it gets better over time.

Overall, the finish of this new rifle is not quite up there with previous Tikkas I've seen or owned. Sort of a bummer. Probably a fluke, though - hopefully not the beginning of a trend. If it shoots good, then all will be forgiven.

 

[Lawnboi]

I took out the bolt and disassembled it again. I cleaned off the firing pin with brake cleaner a little more thoroughly this time. I also made sure I really got into every nook and cranny of the inside of the receiver. It definitely made a difference. The bolt runs very smooth now.

The bolt lift is better but still noticeably heavier than my other Tikka. I swapped bolts, and sure enough, the bolt off the new rifle had a heavier lift whichever gun it was in.

The bolt lift is not heavy enough to make it worth sending back to Beretta. I can live with it, although I really hope it gets better over time.

Overall, the finish of this new rifle is not quite up there with previous Tikkas I've seen or owned. Sort of a bummer. Probably a fluke, though - hopefully not the beginning of a trend. If it shoots good, then all will be forgiven.

Was it really grimey? My last tikka, a ctr was covered in crap like everyone and their brother fondled it at the gun shop. It also was a little rougher. I gave it a serious cleaning and did a little polishing on the cocking ramp on the bolt body.

It still takes a little more to cock than my other t3xs, but it’s tolerable and has smoothed up quite a bit in the last couple hundred rounds

 

[Trogon]

I had a T1x that started with a heavy bolt lift, a dab of grease on the cocking cam solved the problem.

 

[16Bore]

Been know to dremel with a polishing wheel on stuff like that.