Tikka bolt tightening up after firing/dry firing. Suggestions?

[rdp123]

Hi,
Got a new Tikka T3X Lite over here and having a weird issue where the bolt tightens up after firing or dry firing. It runs fine until I pull the trigger, and then when I try to lift it, there's a lot of resistance to get the bolt handle up making it harder to cycle. It's nothing to do with ammo, and there's no obstructions that I can see coming from the rail above. I called customer service and the fellow said it's not a known issue, but I can send it in under warranty and they'll ship it back in a month. I tried unscrewing and retorquing the action screws, which didn't do anything. Tonight I'll probably disassemble and clean the bolt and see if that helps. Is this is a known issue? Has anyone figured out what the problem is and how to resolve it? Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Tod osier]

Hi,
Got a new Tikka T3X Lite over here and having a weird issue where the bolt tightens up after firing or dry firing. It runs fine until I pull the trigger, and then when I try to lift it, there's a lot of resistance to get the bolt handle up making it harder to cycle. It's nothing to do with ammo, and there's no obstructions that I can see coming from the rail above. I called customer service and the fellow said it's not a known issue, but I can send it in under warranty and they'll ship it back in a month. I tried unscrewing and retorquing the action screws, which didn't do anything. Tonight I'll probably disassemble and clean the bolt and see if that helps. Is this is a known issue? Has anyone figured out what the problem is and how to resolve it? Thanks in advance for any help.

It is normal that it is harder to work the bolt because when fired/dry fired since it needs to be cocked. Yours may be harder than normal. Try some grease on the cocking piece/ramp. Look for galling there too.

This is a good thread that describes the problem:

Gunsmithing - Tikka T3x bolt sticking

I recently picked up a new Tikka T3X Superlite and I immediately noticed the bolt was excessively heavy when re-cocking. When I got it home I cleaned it really well and put grease/oil in all the normal spots and it’s still difficult to re-cock. I noticed when I worked the action slowly there was...

www.snipershide.com

 

[rdp123]

Thanks! It's definitely not normal. I've never had a rifle take so much force to cycle.

 

[eightyeight mag]

Does your bolt shroud have a spring underneath it? If so it may be binding. Remove shroud and see if the bolt cycles better. It that helps try flipping spring or get a new one that fits better

 

[DavidReed]

If a light smear of grease (so light you can't see it) on the back of the bolt lugs, cocking piece, and primary extraction cam doesn't reduce the effort take the bolt down and check the firing pin isn't bent. Also flush the inside of the bolt body with starting fluid to get any left over manufacturing grit and debris out and check that the firing pin hole in the bolt is straight and not drilled off/crooked.

 

[skipper907]

It could be damage to your firing pin
One other thing tikka manual states you should dryfire with snap cap. this is probably to protect the firing pin

 

[rdp123]

Thanks! I've always dry fired my centerfires without any issue, so it didn't occur to me it could be a problem. The Tikka rep didn't mention it as a potential issue, but I'll add it to the list of things that could be causing the problem.

FWIW, the gun seems to shoot OK.

 

[Formidilosus]

Thanks! I've always dry fired my centerfires without any issue, so it didn't occur to me it could be a problem. The Tikka rep didn't mention it as a potential issue, but I'll add it to the list of things that could be causing the problem.

FWIW, the gun seems to shoot OK.

There is no issue with dry firing.

 

[rdp123]

There is no issue with dry firing.

Thanks! Didn't think so... Any thoughts on what's causing the bolt-tightening issue?

 

[Formidilosus]

Thanks! Didn't think so... Any thoughts on what's causing the bolt-tightening issue?

Without knowing how hard it actually is, no. When you fire the rifle, you cock firing pin when you lift the bolt- it’s harder than when just running the bolt back and forth.
If just running the bolt back and forth requires say- 4lbs of force to lift the bolt handle, when fired it’ll be 12-14lbs (numbers are made up- it’s relative).

Lube cocking notch, the bolt lugs, etc. Then see.

 

[rdp123]

Cool thx!