Tikka bolt throw

[Junkel87]

I've never owned or shot a tikka T3x before but due to all the hype they get on here we got on for my dad. I've only ever shot 90 degree bolt rifles and I'll say I'm disappointed with the tikka. After dry firing it the bolt is probably twice as stiff to lift as my seekins ph2. Is this normal? I knew it would be stiffer due to it being 60 degrees but it way more then I thought.

 

[ztc92]

I've never owned or shot a tikka T3x before but due to all the hype they get on here we got on for my dad. I've only ever shot 90 degree bolt rifles and I'll say I'm disappointed with the tikka. After dry firing it the bolt is probably twice as stiff to lift as my seekins ph2. Is this normal? I knew it would be stiffer due to it being 60 degrees but it way more then I thought.

My experience with now 3 tikkas and echoed by many others is that they will break in after a few hundred rounds. All 3 of mine, once broken in, are the smoothest, easiest to cycle bolts I own.

If you want to make them better, sooner, the bolt knob that UM makes, which is designed to be optimal size/length/angle makes them substantially better to cycle.

https://www.unknownmunitions.com/product/um-bolt-knobs/

Edit to add - You should shoot with live ammo and see if your thoughts change. I do agree the bolt lift after dry fire can be more stiff than other rifles I’ve used but in real use when shooting with live ammo that is a non-issue. As above, it also gets better with time and breaking in.

 

[WyldGoose]

My experience with now 3 tikkas and echoed by many others is that they will break in after a few hundred rounds. All 3 of mine, once broken in, are the smoothest, easiest to cycle bolts I own.

If you want to make them better, sooner, the bolt knob that UM makes, which is designed to be optimal size/length/angle makes them substantially better to cycle.

https://www.unknownmunitions.com/product/um-bolt-knobs/

Edit to add - You should shoot with live ammo and see if your thoughts change. I do agree the bolt lift after dry fire can be more stiff than other rifles I’ve used but in real use when shooting with live ammo that is a non-issue. As above, it also gets better with time and breaking in.

This.

 

[Junkel87]

My experience with now 3 tikkas and echoed by many others is that they will break in after a few hundred rounds. All 3 of mine, once broken in, are the smoothest, easiest to cycle bolts I own.

If you want to make them better, sooner, the bolt knob that UM makes, which is designed to be optimal size/length/angle makes them substantially better to cycle.

https://www.unknownmunitions.com/product/um-bolt-knobs/

Edit to add - You should shoot with live ammo and see if your thoughts change. I do agree the bolt lift after dry fire can be more stiff than other rifles I’ve used but in real use when shooting with live ammo that is a non-issue. As above, it also gets better with time and breaking in.

Ok well that's good to know thanks. After feeling it my first thought was how the hell does anyone like this action so much.

 

[JohnJohnson]

Ok well that's good to know thanks. After feeling it my first thought was how the hell does anyone like this action so much.

Also make sure to grease the lugs and cocking ramp.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

LIGHTLY grease or oil the bolt lugs and cocking ramp.

LIGHTLY oil the bolt body.

Neither of those are needed for smooth function but don’t run your guns dry all the time.

Run the thing like you mean it. I hard cycle new guns probably 200 times before it’s ever fired.

One thing that I really like as well, but not needed, is the replacement UM oversized bolt knob and short bolt handle for the Tikkas.

Properly grab the bolt with thumb and pointer finger pinch, control the bolt cycle as the shooter. So many guys don’t even know how to run a bolt action anymore it’s crazy to me. Using their palm, lifting their hand and using pointer side of knuckle like some kind of reverse karate chop thing. No purpose at all to the extraction/reloading process, safeties never being used… Stop it haha.

 

[SloppyJ]

Thats my main complaint about them and my brand new one is pretty stiff. The bolt handle is a good upgrade for sure but they will loosen up. Ill take that trade off for how non-binding the bolt is though. However, youre not wrong, it's the one thing that stuck out to me as well owning several r700 clones.

 

[ElPollo]

Assume it’s the bolt lift that you’re saying is stiff. Like @mxgsfmdpx says, a tiny bit of oil on the cocking ramp helps with that.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

@Junkel87

This is a broken in and lightly oiled Tikka...

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

And with dry firing...

 

[Ucsdryder]

And with dry firing...

I mean, you are using your fingers to push down while lifting up. Do that “without the other hand” and don’t push down with your fingers on the action.

All that to say, I think it’s a non issue though. My tikka has a heavy bolt lift when dry fired compared to my customs, but I don’t see it as a big enough negative to keep me from buying one.

 

[onlybrowning]

I had one that became very stiff after dry firing when it was brand new. Luckily, I knew it was stiffer than others and didn’t just leave it alone, especially since it wasn’t like that for 3-5 times I dry fired it before that. Took the bolt apart and cleaned it well and it is like the others now. There was a small metal shaving binding it up. Not saying this is the case with yours, but if it really is hard to open, take the bolt apart and clean it if you haven’t yet.

The majority of my experience with bolts is with Brownings and Tikkas, with a couple others in there that are 90 degree. I can’t say it ever really stood out to me as significant as far as force to open. The clearance near the scope on the other hand, is significant in my opinion.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

I mean, you are using your fingers to push down while lifting up. Do that “without the other hand” and don’t push down with your fingers on the action.

All that to say, I think it’s a non issue though. My tikka has a heavy bolt lift when dry fired compared to my customs, but I don’t see it as a big enough negative to keep me from buying one.

That’s exactly it. It’s a non issue, especially in a hunting gun when properly ran and controlling the rifle.

On a bench running the bolt limp wristed and karate chopping like a PRS shooter? Maybe stick to Remingtons with bolt handles sticking out to mars haha.

 

[JollyRoger]

I think I have 9 Tikkas… shot them all a ton and never noticed much of an issue. I also grip it and rip it like I mean it. No finger dancing for me.