Got it back, 13 weeks in shop time. The delay doesn't help my feeling but I'm initially disappointed if I'm honest. I'll contact UM about this but I'm just being transparent and will certainly provide feedback positively as well where earned. Issues/observations:
-I purchased a replacement tikka after 11weeks, 6 weeks was advertised, because I needed to move on with load dev on a new barrel (I'm glad I did because the feel of this one isn't good right now, see below).
-I was under the impression the nitrided action would be "slick", when in reality its sticky. Is this what others are experiencing? Running it in the raceways isn't as slick but not a major issue. Cocking it though is sticky, there is substantially more resistance than my other actions (yes with the triggered pulled so I am actually cocking it). I haven't put this in a stock or anything but I am concerned this will knock a rifle out of position when reloading for a follow up shot. Is this what others got with their nitride? Does it smooth out if I work the action a bunch? EDIT: The whole cocking situation wasn't the nitride, the cocking notch needed to be lubed better. The nitride is a tad stickier feeling than a stock action but its very minor, I really only focused in on it so much due to the sticky cocking.
-They didn't add the sportsmatch pocket I requested on the paperwork. I got a call from them and the guy sounded confused about that request, I told him to discuss it with Jake and if there was any confusion to contact me. I also was worried so I text UM the photo of the sportsmatch pocket marked up, said I received a call and it sounded like there was confusion, this is what I was looking for. I received no follow up and yet I didn't get the pocket that I requested. (Jake's email signature said text messages were ok so I figured that was the easiest route).
-My T3 turned into a T3x during the process. Which is just a little comical but not really a problem (unless there is a legal issue I'm unaware about, I'm assuming not).
-There are some machining marks near the model number, doesn't affect function but might bother some folks. [EDIT: ARE THOSE MAYBE REMINANTS OF THE ORIGINAL MODEL/SERIAL NUMBER NOW THAT I THINK ABOUT IT?]
-They etch your serial number on your bolt body, bottom of the action and the handle. Something to be aware of if you swap or trade bolts and that bothers you.
-On my T3 action with the modified port it and slow twist fluting it shaved 106g (3.74oz). This is just a datapoint. See below before/after, please note there is no bolt shroud installed because the T3 one is lighter than the T3x one so I wanted to remove that variable.
At the end of the day the timeline, miss on the sportsmatch pocket, and action feel has turned this process into a disappointment (I truly was excited about this too). I will talk with UM about this as the action feel concerns me (maybe it just needs break in?) but any remedial action just increases the timeline involved.