Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Guns N Gear Tikka T-3 - 30.06

I have a brand new Tikka that I’m having an issue with. The bolt will only close 3/4 of the way with a live round. I tried to shoot it for the first time today and was wondering if I’m missing something?

Thanks for the replies.

TP

Do you have any other ammo to try? Sounds like headspace issues. Are there marks on the bullet tip from the lands in the barrel?

No sir. I shoot the 165 grain Hornady interlock or SST’s. I tried a couple of different rounds and the same thing. I hate it because it’s a brand new gun. I wonder if they test fired it?

Maybe Gundoc will chime in. I was hoping it was an ammo issue, those are the easiest to solve. Good luck, I can imagine that is very frustrating.

I just tried an SST and it would not close halfway.

Could a scope base screw be too long and protruding into the receiver and causing the bolt to stop?

Sounds like a chamber problem

Have seen this. Double check and make sure you didn’t get the bases/screws backwards.

Ok. I checked the base screws and that’s not it. The bolt closes, it just will not seat all the way on the stock.

I would also look at giving the chamber a thorough cleaning

What happens if you just drop a cartridge into the chamber? Does it stop short of seating?

Ok. The bullet goes into the chamber fine. The bolt starts to close, but stops about halfway down and will not seat on the stock.

Have you checked the bolt face for burrs etc? You can stick a shell in it and make sure the extractor is catching it. If not this I would say head space or chamber issue. Might also try chambering an empty brass if you have one.

Color the tip of a cartridge with a Sharpie and try to chamber the round. If the lands don’t leave a mark on the bullet then you have a miscut chamber. If there are marks on the bullet then the chamber is fine but the barrel is headspaced wrong.

Assuming the bolt closes and functions normally when cycled without a round in chamber.

Great point right here ^^^^

3/4 of the way going forward or you can't cam it over fully?

Yes sir. It will close on the bullet. The bolt will only go down 1/2 - 3/4 to the stock.

Have you cleaned the rifle thoroughly especially in the chamber and locking lugs ?
I’d clean all that with a chamber brush
Remember just because it’s new doesn’t mean it’s clean

That's a head space problem. Could be as simple as cleaning it like deadeye48 mentioned.
Your ejector could also be binding. Take a punch and make sure you can depress the ejector flush/below flush with the bolt face.
While you there make sure there is nothing on the bolt face.
If none of that works, there's other more involved areas that need to be looked at

I have a T3 30-06 and if I remember correctly, a long time ago on a bolt disassembly and cleaning, that bolt can be put back together where it will not close with a round in the chamber. If I remember correctly, it just need to be turned or or keyed one notch prior to assembly.