Need a sanity check - T3x reassembly

[ghott]

Sent my T3x barreled action out for chop/thread and it’s back - so I’m reassembling this evening and ran into what I think is an issue. It seems like my barreled action won’t fully seat back into the stock. I’m trying to remember what my other Tikkas felt like going back together - and I don’t think they had this wobble (video linked below)

I removed the bolt stop and trigger assembly from the barreled action to rule those out. Also deburred the top edges of the recoil lug in the stock. I also checked the action where the recoil lug sits for burrs and can’t see or feel anything. I’ve tried manipulating the barreled action into the stock as many ways as I can - and it doesn’t seem to want to fully seat.

It does feel like the lug is somewhat engaged once the action goes into the stock, but again it doesn’t feel like it’s fully seated.

Video of what I’m working with:

 

[SloppyJ]

If it makes you feel better, mine was the same way. Subd to see what you get for answers but it didn't bother me enough to do much about it. I will restock it for my son eventually and figure it out. It shoots well enough for me as is.

 

[Pharmseller]

The recoil lug isn’t fully engaged in the recoil slot in the rifle. Take the rifle out of the stock, then hold the stock vertically. Position the rifle with the recoil slot ever so slightly higher than the recoil lug, then ease the rifle down while pushing the slot onto the lug. You might need to bounce the stock gently on the recoil pad to firmly seat the lug into the stock.

If/when you do it right there will be no play.






P

 

[onlybrowning]

The recoil lug isn’t fully engaged in the recoil slot in the rifle. Take the rifle out of the stock, then hold the stock vertically. Position the rifle with the recoil slot ever so slightly higher than the recoil lug, then ease the rifle down while pushing the slot onto the lug. You might need to bounce the stock gently on the recoil pad to firmly seat the lug into the stock.

If/when you do it right there will be no play.






P

This. You’ll know when it’s right.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ghott]

Been playing with this thing for a couple hours trying different methods to get it to seat. Got some grease out to see if it really wasn’t seating on the lug. Looks like it is seating

 

[General RE LEE]

Forums are the meeting place for everyone that is OCD lol

It’s all good.

 

[ghott]

Forums are the meeting place for everyone that is OCD lol

It’s all good.

Indeed - was hoping I was just overthinking this. Looks to be the case

 

[Pharmseller]

Did you shave the ends down?

If so, take the lug out, turn it upside down, and try the other side.




P

 

[sndmn11]

Did you shave the ends down?

If so, take the lug out, turn it upside down, and try the other side.




P

100% flip that thing over. When you put it in the slot, push it in the tiniest amount that will hold it, then seat the action on it. Push down and you'll know it's in the slot properly rather than playing around.

 

[Pharmseller]

Try this if all else fails:

Take the lug out of the stock. Put the lug in the recoil slot. It should be a fairly tight fit. Make sure the lug is centered in the recoil slot.

Now position the lug above the hole in the stock. Slide the action into the stock. Tighten the action screws (I use 45 in/lbs).




P

 

[ghott]

Did you shave the ends down?

If so, take the lug out, turn it upside down, and try the other side.




P

I didn’t modify the lug except for running a deburring tool over the edges.

How hard or easy is it to remove the lug from the stock without marring it?

 

[General RE LEE]

I didn’t modify the lug except for running a deburring tool over the edges.

How hard or easy is it to remove the lug from the stock without marring it?

Not hard, just a pair of pliers.

Leave it alone. It’s seated and good to go.

 

[HandgunHTR]

I just watched your video again. Your barrel is free-floated, so pushing down on the barrel that far in front of the lug is going to cause it to rock like that. The recoil lug is the "balance point".

Rather than check it that way, the best way to determine if it is properly seated is to 1) look at where the vent hole on the action is in relation to the stock line. It should be just barely above it. 2) There should be no back and forth play of the action. If you can grip the top of the action and move it back and forth at all, your recoil lug is not seated.

One question, however. When you say you "deburred" the edges of the recoil lug in the stock, do you mean you rounded off the edges? If so, I would recommend replacing it, or flipping it around as suggested above. The fit should be tight. There isn't a ton of engagement as it is and if you opened it up 2-3 thousandths, it could cause some inconsistencies.