Unknown tikka action mod issues…

[UncleNommies]

...that holds up to bolt lug service duty? Wow.

I don't know man, that's just what I was told!

 

[NSI]

They just called me today to verify my shipping address for my action/bolt. I guess I was in the last batch of full nitriding, maybe. I mentioned the Nitride option was missing on the site and asked why, they told me they are still going to be nitriding actions, but the bolts will be coated in Microslick, i think is what he said. A quick Google search showed it was a type of Cerakote.

If this is true, it is an objectively poor choice for action smoothness. But at least it won’t result in actual mechanical failures like nitrided stainless (all tikka) bolts can.

-J

 

[UncleNommies]

If this is true, it is an objectively poor choice for action smoothness. But at least it won’t result in actual mechanical failures like nitrided stainless (all tikka) bolts can.

-J

It is indeed true. I was speaking to someone named James. Also, should I be alarmed? I had my bolt fluted and I wanted it to stay polished stainless, but they recommended i nitride the bolt for "hardness and lubricity". This action is being built into a 16.5" 7mm Backcountry...

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

actual mechanical failures like nitrided stainless (all tikka) bolts can.

Can you elaborate?

 

[NSI]

It is indeed true. I was speaking to someone named James. Also, should I be alarmed? I had my bolt fluted and I wanted it to stay polished stainless, but they recommended i nitride the bolt for "hardness and lubricity". This action is being built into a 16.5" 7mm Backcountry...

I am not here to spread fear. But I haven't personally seen chipped tikka bolt lugs except in the case of nitriding. I truly don't know what the statistics are here, but I know I'm not alone.

You already fluted your bolt, which is going to harm smoothness and increase the opportunity for trash to make its way into your action. You might consider selling it or trading for an unmolested bolt.

There's nothing wrong with leaving your stainless bolt (fluted or unfluted) bare. Yes, nitride when applied to a compatible metallurgy will increase both hardness and apparent lubricity. My position here is that the stainless species Tikka employs in their actions, barrels, and bolts are not ideally suited to the nitride process in the same way that their cro moly actions and barrels are.

-J

 

[UncleNommies]

I am not here to spread fear. But I haven't personally seen chipped tikka bolt lugs except in the case of nitriding. I truly don't know what the statistics are here, but I know I'm not alone.

You already fluted your bolt, which is going to harm smoothness and increase the opportunity for trash to make its way into your action. You might consider selling it or trading for an unmolested bolt.

There's nothing wrong with leaving your stainless bolt (fluted or unfluted) bare. Yes, nitride when applied to a compatible metallurgy will increase both hardness and apparent lubricity. My position here is that the stainless species Tikka employs in their actions, barrels, and bolts are not ideally suited to the nitride process in the same way that their cro moly actions and barrels are.

-J

Thank you @NSI I really appreciate the information!

 

[camp_86]

A quick Google search on Microslick looks like it may actually be a very good application for bolts. I cant imagine UM changing this process without extensive testing.

@Formidilosus @Unknown Munitions @Ryan Avery @Lane Avery

 

[swavescatter]

Just don't with the cerakote. Here's what happened to my action when I had UM nitride my action and they decided to cerakote instead without telling me.

Just leave your stainless Tikka actions alone.

 

[3 oh 8]

Looks like they now offer nitride for the action and NT7+ for the bolt.

 

[UncleNommies]

Looks like they now offer nitride for the action and NT7+ for the bolt.

That is interesting. When I was on the phone with them last week and asked about it they specifically told me Microslick. I just read up on NT7+ and it looks like it would perform good! Looks like it only comes in a medium gray finish tho.

I did receive my full nitride action and everything looks great. UM did a great job on the machining! Extremely satisfied with the results!

 

[Coopsdaddy]

What tikkas come with a standard bolt face black bolt.Just the ctr
Mine is stainless and prefer black

 

[One300wsm]

J&A doesn’t machine the screw out.

Tikka Ultralight Action - J&A Outdoors

Tikka Ultralight Action. Aggressive lightening cuts machined into the receiver & bolt to cut the weight down for your ultralight rifle build!

jaoutdoors.com

 

[AlaskaRed]

Just don't with the cerakote. Here's what happened to my action when I had UM nitride my action and they decided to cerakote instead without telling me.

Just leave your stainless Tikka actions alone.

Your post is confusing. Is your action in the video nitrided or cerakoted?

Also how is the smoothness with cerakoted action and bolt left alone for other folks?

I have a veil wideland tikka which is a cerakoted action and factory fluted bolt and it is my smoothest tikka.

 

[One300wsm]

Warn makes lite weight rings for Tikka. 20% off sale.

8514TM Warne HyperLite 30mm, Tikka Medium Matte Rings

Shooting enthusiasts who use Tikka rifles appreciate how the models have a grooved receiver that eliminates the need for a base. These 1-inch scope rings are built to use that dovetail.

warnescopemounts.com

 

[NSI]

That's a pretty good choice, as much as getting teflon hot weirds me out.

-J

 

[camp_86]

That's a pretty good choice, as much as getting teflon hot weirds me out.

-J

Have you seen any issues with Nitriding stainless tikka actions, or was it just bolts?

 

[diverc18]

That is interesting. When I was on the phone with them last week and asked about it they specifically told me Microslick. I just read up on NT7+ and it looks like it would perform good! Looks like it only comes in a medium gray finish tho.

I did receive my full nitride action and everything looks great. UM did a great job on the machining! Extremely satisfied with the results!
View attachment 1075546View attachment 1075547

Is this also the “slow spiral” bolt fluting pattern?

 

[NSI]

Have you seen any issues with Nitriding stainless tikka actions, or was it just bolts?

I have not seen issues with the action bodies themselves, but that doesn't mean there aren't issues. Those issues may come from the nature of the process itself (e.g.- incompatible temperatures with previous heat treatment) or process application specifics (e.g.- different exposure times required for different metal species).

If there is someone who has the definitive empirical answer to this, they haven't surfaced yet.

-J

 

[swavescatter]

Your post is confusing. Is your action in the video nitrided or cerakoted?

Also how is the smoothness with cerakoted action and bolt left alone for other folks?

I have a veil wideland tikka which is a cerakoted action and factory fluted bolt and it is my smoothest tikka.

I ordered a nitrided action and chambered Ace barrel from UM. What I received sucked and according to Form it looks like they decided to cerakote it instead. My invoice said nitride, and the barrel they also screwed up looked like it had a different finish. Perhaps that got nitrided? According to Blaine they also machined the chamber AFTER nitriding the barrel, which is something no knowledgeable gunsmith would do. Nobody I talked to was willing to touch the chamber with their reamers due to it being nitrided.

 

[Coopsdaddy]

Did you send it back.
They nitrided my action and bolt,it’s smooth as glass.
I didn’t know at the time but i would have just left the bolt stock due to nsi findings but no issues so far.