Thread: Initial gun set up

Ive just bought my first proper gun, having only previously owned air rifles in the UK. Now Im in NZ and have bought an all new Tikka T3x with a 16 inch barrel in .308 with a Hausken suppressor and a Burris 2.5-10x42. Predictable i guess, but Im a beginner. Ive put 10 rounds of Sako super hammerheads through it to get it zero'd.

Ill be taking a few walks with it soon, but Ive been wondering if there are any things I should do with it whilst its all still new to protect or enhance longevity? A mate suggested bike inner tube over the suppressor and electrical tape over the outlet. Also the manual said to put loctite on the thread to keep the suppressor secure, but also said to remove it after every use which seems contradictory, and not to put anything over the suppressor?

Any thought from those more experienced please?

Cheers

Ben

Tape over end of barrel is to stop leaves, stones and snow getting in the barrel.
I have camo tape on my suppressor

Yes, don't store the gun with suppressor attached.
Attracts moisture.

Yes tape over the muzzle.
I had an unfortunate incident in the Southern Alps (Godley) where I fell over and pushed my rifle's barrel hard into the snow. My rifle was disabled until we got back to the bivy where we had a cleaning rod. I tried cleaning it with a pull I carried through but couldn't get it to drop thru the barrel and push out the slush.
For some reason, back then, noboby bothered to tape the end of their barrels.

And yes, definitely remove the suppressor when storing the rifle barrel up. Many a barrel has be f....d by moisture running down into the barrel end and causing severe corrosion.

Personally I wouldnt put locktite on it. Just screw it on firm. Youll only probably be taking a couple of shots if your hunting. On the range it doesnt hurt to check it every now and then. One of the first things to check if you notice accuracy dropping off as well is if its come loose.

+1 for inner tube. Can help out if needed to start fire as well.

If you do go with a bike inner tube, have a think about running a length of polycotton thread along the underside of suppressor (when fitted to the rifle) between the suppressor and the tube, and have it stick out about 4-6 inches. Makes a handy wind indicator. I've run that system for ages on my rifles and before the advent of suppressors, the thread was attached to the end of the barrel with electrical tape (which covered the end of the barrel). Really handy in light wind scenarios to pick up breeze.

Put a bit of bike inner tube over the suppressor and each end of the scope.
Keeps it free from scratches and dings.
Good for a fire and also nicer when you place it down in the field.

On my bush rifle, inner tube over both ends of scope. Camo tape around suppressor with rings of inner tube to hold it on. Makes it easy to remove for cleaning and drying etc.

Do not loctite you supressor or leave it on while in storage.

Who put the scope on for you? Would suggest checking everything is tight if not done by you.

I'll put a light coating of grease on the metal work underneath the stock, find it's a good way to prevent any rust forming where you can't easily wipe over with an oily rag.

Sounds silly. Likely is. But back in the 60's we used to coat the underside of the barrel and action with car polish wax. It's what you did to your .222 if you were a real "commercial hunter". Don't do it. Im just reminiscing.

buy some flip up scope lens caps. well worth the money to keep it in good knick

Loctite softens with heat and suppressors are heat. So something has been lost in translation in the manual there.

For suppressor threads, a heat stable grease (ie Lithium based) is recommended.