Tikka T3X superlight 7mm RM

[Trial153]

My tikka T3 LOVES the 162gr Hornady Super Performance SST loads.

I dont really have the time for reloading, so I stick to shooting factory loads.

Plus one one the Hornady factory loads.

Mine loves 162 grain interlock, its insane how good that factory load shoot out of my T3x

 

[GKPrice]

OK, I'm about to tell a "short" story but first I want to state that I love Tikka rifles and will continue to own and use them as well as recommend them to anyone who asks for my advice

Several weeks ago I bought a T3X superlight at the local SW in 7mm RM ($749) I anticipated working with this new Tikka just as I have the dozen or more I have in the past - I loaded up some mid range rounds from the Nosler #8 manual and test fired some Monday am - I fired 4 - 3 round groups dragging a bore snake through the bore after each shot (something new for me but Tikka barrels have proven to be so smooth that I thought I'd give this streamlined method a go) At round 10 I sensed something not right and after round 12 I noticed that the case didn't eject, I peered into the chamber and noticed what I quickly realized was the case head, which I plucked out thinking "OH SHIT" but the hull practically fell out - I was using XXfired Nosler cases that I had just prepped (being the cheap ass that I am and saving the NEW Nosler cases for final load development) and dismissed the mishap to fatigued brass - This morning I shot again with * loads, again from the Nosler book, straight away I had a case separate in my hand when I ejected it, being the knucklehead that I sometimes can be I fired 6 shots total before looking at the cases at parts other than the primers and seeing separation lines of some degree on each case fired, the same when I got home and more closely examined Mondays cases - I headed straight to my gunsmith buddy's shop and sure enough excessive head space, really excessive - Well, my mind was in overdrive as I spoke with Richard about options - Knowing that Beretta would laugh at me if I told them I discovered this while firing "handloads" I began comparing options and "we" came up with this .... I'm going to rechamber the rifle to 28 Nosler - That is why I made the statement up front on this post, I'm just putting it out there because things like this can happen to anyone or ANY company - I am going to give the Albany SW a call and tell the gun dept manager about this too, in a way that does not sound like a ranting disgruntled customer

opinions ??

UPDATE: I called SW and made them aware of this situation, within 3 hours I got a call back from the manager of the "gun & hunting dept" at the Albany OR SW - I can't convey how friendly and helpful he was, by the end of the conversation I was planning to bring the rifle back, he was that nice - I took it in this morning, they jumped on it and swapped out the "bad for the good" quickly with a friendly smile (he quietly confided that this was the 2nd 7mm RM with the same problem AT THIS STORE) He in no way "bad mouthed" Tikka rifles, in fact he's a fan too - I made the choice to go with the exchange purely for monitary reasons it being so close to hunting seasons and the fact that I have other projects in the works as well (but now that it's firmly planted in my head I fear it's only a matter of time) I'll update when I have had a chance to inspect and shoot the NEW 7mm RM T3X - I got a chuckle from he and another employee when I said "someone's gonna get an ass chewin' in Finnish" but it took a couple of seconds

 

[GKPrice]

Tikka T3X superlight 7mm RM with Mountain Tactical rail = 6lb 3.3oz an ounce or so lighter than the Kimber Montana WSM's naked

 

[GKPrice]

UPDATE - I just the other day got to finally shoot the "2nd new" T3x 7mm RM - It shoots good initially BUT .... appears to have excessive headspace as well ! I only shot it 12 times but the shiny "belt" ahead of the case belt is wider than I've ever seen on any belted magnum I've worked with (I've worked with most all of them over the years) I don't have a cut off saw (yet) so I can't give visual and I'm naturally hypersensitive to this issue but as I closely examine the fired cases I can see a "shadow line" right where the other rifle's cases separated - I assume an "go/no-go gauge would be the intelligent way to tell but I don't have one of those either - I'm speechless ... talked with the store manager right away, I could hear the exasperation in his voice too - I "get it", it's probably easier for me to deal with this than it is for them - Time wise I'm running on fumes right now, leaving in 9 hours to Vegas for a week, no time to deal with taking the rifle back to SW before I leave and the manager would like it back at the store - I've tossed all night trying to be stress free on this thing, thinking I'd just move ahead with the 28 Nosler project (or maybe have JES make it into a 338 Win Mag, which I have no need for) then I think that obviously Tikka has an internal problem that needs to be dealt with before someone really gets hurt - SW will take it back reluctantly the 2nd time and I can't blame them but I suppose I should go that route but after talking with the manager I have no doubt that Beretta may never even hear or pay attention coming through the retailer, then wholesaler, then ?? .... It's 5:12 AM and I'm tired, frustrated and getting more so - I think I'll make SW wait a week while I think about it a little longer - I suppose there are worse things than having a 28 Nosler to "play" with
(side note: I bought a Tikka T3x superlight 300 Win Mag for my son, it actually "feels" better than his Sako A7, we'll soon see how it shoots, I'm either a very loyal customer or STUPID)

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

On the 338 win mag front if you liked the plain T3 just fine euro optics has a stainless T3 in 338win mag for $500.

Bummer on the T3x troubles.

If you deal with sportsman's at all on this see if you can sniff out what they are doing with these off spec guns. Curious if they are sending them back or where they are ending up (if there were some cheap barrel less tikka actions on the market it would catch my attention ).

 

[GKPrice]

On the 338 win mag front if you liked the plain T3 just fine euro optics has a stainless T3 in 338win mag for $500.

Bummer on the T3x troubles.

If you deal with sportsman's at all on this see if you can sniff out what they are doing with these off spec guns. Curious if they are sending them back or where they are ending up (if there were some cheap barrel less tikka actions on the market it would catch my attention ).

the manager sort of eluded to the fact that they get destroyed due to the serial # being "in the system" but, aside from the federal rules working against we gun owners/users, that seems awfully wasteful (but since when do the feds thing of that for us OR themselves ??) I had a "run in" with Browning years ago on a barrel that came loose and broke off a sliver in the threads locking it from coming off or tightening back down, they made me buy a new rifle for a "discounted (HA)" price and that was a long time ago -

Were I to go back to a 338 Win Mag I would have this rifle rebored by JES and wind up with cut rifling but as I recall I drifted away from the PERFECT elk round for a reason ....

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

I am confused about the number in the system part? It's just a serial numbered action, yes it requires a ffl transfer but nothing special to buy/sell them than a normal full gun.

 

[7mag.]

I have a T3x in 7mm rem mag, and I haven't seen any issues yet. I only have about 30 rounds through it but all the spent brass looks normal. Hopefully this problem is rare.

 

[GKPrice]

I am confused about the number in the system part? It's just a serial numbered action, yes it requires a ffl transfer but nothing special to buy/sell them than a normal full gun.

I agree, was just trying to convey what I was told - I just got home last night from a week trip with some time to think - "IF" it's another bad chamber job I'm gonna push the issue to take it back - Unfortunately the manager at Albany doesn't have the insight that the Bend manager does - Bend store has at least six CA's, 2 Kimber Hunters and several LAW's in their rack - Had I been able to handle a Hunter this would not have been happening to me (and the trigger guard doesn't bother me at all) - I don't need another big kicker like a 338 Win Mag, a 6.5 Creedmor or 7mm/08 sounds a whole lot better to me when I think about it - Too late to be doing much change for this year now but over the next year I will be for sure

 

[GKPrice]

I agree, was just trying to convey what I was told - I just got home last night from a week trip with some time to think - "IF" it's another bad chamber job I'm gonna push the issue to take it back - Unfortunately the manager at Albany doesn't have the insight that the Bend manager does - Bend store has at least six CA's, 2 Kimber Hunters and several LAW's in their rack - Had I been able to handle a Hunter this would not have been happening to me (and the trigger guard doesn't bother me at all) - I don't need another big kicker like a 338 Win Mag, a 6.5 Creedmor or 7mm/08 sounds a whole lot better to me when I think about it - Too late to be doing much change for this year now but over the next year I will be for sure

shot the RM yesterday with factory and once fired LIGHT handloads with Nosler brass - firing stretches the web on the factory to make it unusable for reloading and nearly every Nosler case has a crack at the web - Decided I'm not in the market for a 338 Win Mag - As told before, rechambering to a 7mm/300 Win Mag would be fun but it surely isn't a project I need to do - the manager is out for a week or two now and I'm out a here on the 15th to WY but I'm either getting my money back or another gun (not a 7mm RM Tikka)
At this point it's not about Tikka as it's obvious they have an equipment problem, it's about how I get treated by Sportsmans Warehouse

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Tell the manager if he wants to sell off the action cheap you know someone who would be of interest.

Good luck!

 

[MIKEYB]

Any update on out come of this GK? Just curious as I picked one up this week and will keep an eye on my casings that I shoot. I don't intend to shoot it any time soon. A quick internet search did not net any similar issues. But did read about a barrel recall in 2004 with tikka and sako barrels. Ouch.

 

[GKPrice]

Any update on out come of this GK? Just curious as I picked one up this week and will keep an eye on my casings that I shoot. I don't intend to shoot it any time soon. A quick internet search did not net any similar issues. But did read about a barrel recall in 2004 with tikka and sako barrels. Ouch.

it seemed to me that SW was trying to keep it on the "down low" ?, can't imagine why but maybe this manager thinks it will reflect badly on SW - Beretta USA will never slip a word of this I can assure you, I'm sure it will be (or has been) fixed but there's a perceived "arrogance" I personally have gotten from dealing with them on the few inconsequential issues I'v had over the years - I WILL be interested if any chatter on it floats to the surface though - I let them trade me into a 30.06 superlight that I've worked loads up for already (THAT was ridiculously easy) for an extra or maybe for the Grandson if he wants it when he gets bigger) OR making a 338-06 AI as I've been threatening to from the get go

 

[ckkone]

I had planned on picking up a t3x super lite in 7mm Rem Mag, is the headspace thing still and issue?

 

[KClark]

Interesting how this played out, hopefully Tikka has this sorted out by now.

Side bar: I've contemplated a similar rechambering of a T3, who were going to use as a gunsmith? TIA.