Metal shavings in Tikka bolt shroud

[The Harbor Master]

I have a Tikka T3x with 291 rounds through it. I disassembled the bolt for a cleaning after a rainy hunt and found a few decent sized metal shavings in the bolt shroud. This is the second time I've noticed this, and of course didn’t think to take any pictures... they were laying in the "track" that the firing pin assembly cams in. I did get a pic of some shavings on the pin assembly (circled red).

Upon further inspection I noticed some gouges/scratches and a burr on the firing pin assembly and took pictures of those. As far as I can tell, none of the shavings made it into the cocking ramp on the bolt body, and I haven't noticed any heavy bolt lift. I cleaned everything thoroughly, reassembled, and cycled the bolt about 30 times. I then checked for shavings and did find some small metal "flakes" on the pin assembly and in the shroud. Pretty minimal but still there.

The rifle functions fine and shoots well. Should I be worried? I don't remember seeing those gouges/scratches the last time I inspected things. The only thing I can imagine causing it would maybe be improper disassembly on my part, which is possible, but still unsure how I could cause that. I dont see any burrs or gouges in the bolt shroud, but I'd rather replace that than deal with getting a new firing pin assembly. Any thoughts?

 

[The Harbor Master]

Out of curiosity, I disassembled my also slightly used (200ish rounds) T3x in 223. I found shavings in the shroud and similar burrs on the firing pin assembly. I disassembled this one when I first bought it new to de-grease, and reassembled.

I did check some youtube videos of disassembly and as far as I can tell I'm doing it correctly and shouldn't be causing these burrs.

Hopefully this is pretty normal and will wear in, and I don't need to stress!

 

[Lawnboi]

Your disassembling it wrong, I don’t know how you even got the cocking piece on top of the bolt shroud notch.

You want a little grease on the cocking ramp of the bolt body.

Factory shrouds will wear over time. Honestly I replace them. 200 rounds is nothing though, it’s going to be fine for a long time.

 

[DB29]

I had a similar issue, and it was my fault. When I was putting the cocking piece on top of the lug it slipped and came down hard on the edge of the lug. This caused a bur on the edge of the lug. I filed it flat and all has been fine. My bur was much worse than what you have there.

 

[The Harbor Master]

Your disassembling it wrong, I don’t know how you even got the cocking piece on top of the bolt shroud notch.

You want a little grease on the cocking ramp of the bolt body.

Factory shrouds will wear over time. Honestly I replace them. 200 rounds is nothing though, it’s going to be fine for a long time.

Hm. Forgive my poor parts descriptions but I'll do my best... my impression was the cocking piece (the long black part) needed to be pulled up onto the bolt shroud notch (silver part that the bolt handle slides into) in order to pull the firing pin assembly out of the bolt body.

If that's not the case, I guess I could see this causing the burrs. When I reassemble, I slide the firing pin assembly back into the bolt body as you see it there. It definitely snaps down hard when twisting things back into place.

 

[Lawnboi]

Hm. Forgive my poor parts descriptions but I'll do my best... my impression was the cocking piece (the long black part) needed to be pulled up onto the bolt shroud notch (silver part that the bolt handle slides into) in order to pull the firing pin assembly out of the bolt body.

If that's not the case, I guess I could see this causing the burrs. When I reassemble, I slide the firing pin assembly back into the bolt body as you see it there. It definitely snaps down hard when twisting things back into place.

I always just use a small Allen wrench like most videos note. I guess that could work but that’s likely what’s causing your issue.

The paint is going to wear in the bolt shroud, so don’t be suprised by that.

 

[DB29]

Hm. Forgive my poor parts descriptions but I'll do my best... my impression was the cocking piece (the long black part) needed to be pulled up onto the bolt shroud notch (silver part that the bolt handle slides into) in order to pull the firing pin assembly out of the bolt body.

If that's not the case, I guess I could see this causing the burrs. When I reassemble, I slide the firing pin assembly back into the bolt body as you see it there. It definitely snaps down hard when twisting things back into place.

When you are putting it back together and you take the cocking piece off the lug are you lifting the cocking piece and gently setting it down or twisting it and letting it free drop off the edge of the lug?

 

[Formidilosus]

Out of curiosity, I disassembled my also slightly used (200ish rounds) T3x in 223. I found shavings in the shroud and similar burrs on the firing pin assembly. I disassembled this one when I first bought it new to de-grease, and reassembled.

I did check some youtube videos of disassembly and as far as I can tell I'm doing it correctly and shouldn't be causing these burrs.

Hopefully this is pretty normal and will wear in, and I don't need to stress!

It’s from the bolt shroud and will not cause issues.

Also, the way you are holding the cocking piece is just fine. That won’t cause issues.

 

[The Harbor Master]

When you are putting it back together and you take the cocking piece off the lug are you lifting the cocking piece and gently setting it down or twisting it and letting it free drop off the edge of the lug?

I'll need to go through the motions when I get home in a couple hours to be sure, but going off memory I let it fall off the edge and "snap" down

 

[BBob]

my impression was the cocking piece (the long black part) needed to be pulled up onto the bolt shroud notch (silver part that the bolt handle slides into) in order to pull the firing pin assembly out of the bolt body.

Not at all. All you need is a small screwdriver or Allen key to hold the cocking piece in place while using the screwdriver or key to help turn it.

 

[The Harbor Master]

It’s from the bolt shroud and will not cause issues.

Also, the way you are holding the cocking piece is just fine. That won’t cause issues.

Thanks. I figured the shavings were from the shroud, since I didn't see any metal missing from the firing pin assembly.

What I'm gathering from your response and the other helpful input here is, having the cocking piece like that isn't the issue, the issue is letting it slam back down onto the lug. Letting it slam down caused some small burrs that are tearing away at the bolt shroud somewhere, causing the shavings.

Looks like I'll file the burrs off and then give that allen method a try from now on, thanks @BBob . I see how that would protect the lug from getting the cocking piece slammed down onto it.

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[Formidilosus]

Thanks. I figured the shavings were from the shroud, since I didn't see any metal missing from the firing pin assembly.

What I'm gathering from your response and the other helpful input here is, having the cocking piece like that isn't the issue, the issue is letting it slam back down onto the lug. Letting it slam down caused some small burrs that are tearing away at the bolt shroud somewhere, causing the shavings.

Looks like I'll file the burrs off and then give that allen method a try from now on, thanks @BBob . I see how that would protect the lug from getting the cocking piece slammed down onto it.

Thanks for the help guys.

I let the cocking piece slide off all the time with Tikka’s. Probably hiking it with your fingers and controlling the impact is better, but I don’t think that is causing any issue. It’s just the shroud and will eventually stop.

 

[The Harbor Master]

I let the cocking piece slide off all the time with Tikka’s. Probably hiking it with your fingers and controlling the impact is better, but I don’t think that is causing any issue. It’s just the shroud and will eventually stop.

Gotcha. I concur the shavings are the shroud, but those burrs and marks on the lug can't be normal, right? I guess they would just tear away at the shroud and eventually not matter and stop making shavings...