The recent thread on a Tikka bolt locking up got me thinking I haven't touched my Tikka bolts in about 1.5-2 years and should pull them apart to service.
These rifles have been in open boats on salt water, in the rain, snow, and down to -20 F. They have been covered in mud and hosed off or washed in the bathtub. I serviced the bolts in the same way 1.5-2 years ago.
If the bolt is new, of course use break cleaner and some elbow grease to get all the factory oil out of the assembly.
Before servicing (two different bolts)
You can see some mild rust corrosion, but it just whipped off.
I wiped everything down with M-Pro 7 oil leaving no visible liquid. I also used a bore mop to lightly oil the inside of the bolt body.
After oiling
The discoloration has no depth to it and I did not bother removing anything that wouldn't come off with a rag.
Then lightly grease the cocking ramp with some Battle Born grease.
Put it back together.
I also pulled out the ejector and oiled ejector and extractor.
My preferred lubricants, Battle Born Grease and M-Pro 7 LPx. You can see both are good down to -70F.
I should probably make this an annual thing just so it doesn't get forgotten.
In the coastal environment I have heard of bolts ran dry rusting seizing. Which I don't want to happen. I also don't want to have to pull a bolt apart every winter and clean it dry, then remember to oil the internals come spring.
These rifles have been in open boats on salt water, in the rain, snow, and down to -20 F. They have been covered in mud and hosed off or washed in the bathtub. I serviced the bolts in the same way 1.5-2 years ago.
If the bolt is new, of course use break cleaner and some elbow grease to get all the factory oil out of the assembly.
Before servicing (two different bolts)
You can see some mild rust corrosion, but it just whipped off.
I wiped everything down with M-Pro 7 oil leaving no visible liquid. I also used a bore mop to lightly oil the inside of the bolt body.
After oiling
The discoloration has no depth to it and I did not bother removing anything that wouldn't come off with a rag.
Then lightly grease the cocking ramp with some Battle Born grease.
Put it back together.
I also pulled out the ejector and oiled ejector and extractor.
My preferred lubricants, Battle Born Grease and M-Pro 7 LPx. You can see both are good down to -70F.
I should probably make this an annual thing just so it doesn't get forgotten.
In the coastal environment I have heard of bolts ran dry rusting seizing. Which I don't want to happen. I also don't want to have to pull a bolt apart every winter and clean it dry, then remember to oil the internals come spring.
