Thread: Tikka T3 bolts

I've heard/read more than one account of someone having the rifle on their back with bolt closed, catching the bolt on a branch/pack strap/whatever without noticing and opening it, then accidentally bumping the release on something else and dropping the bolt out.

Of course there are ways of avoiding that situation, but obviously it does happen and they do seem more susceptible to it than most other rifles.

I'm sure someone will pop up soon and tell me that it couldn't possibly be anything to do with the rifle design because Tikkas are perfect in every way and nobody should ever want to buy anything else.

Originally Posted by GravelBen

I've heard/read more than one account of someone having the rifle on their back with bolt closed, catching the bolt on a branch/pack strap/whatever without noticing and opening it, then accidentally bumping the release on something else and dropping the bolt out.

Of course there are ways of avoiding that situation, but obviously it does happen and they do seem more susceptible to it than most other rifles.
I'm sure someone will pop up soon and tell me that it couldn't possibly be anything to do with the rifle design because Tikkas are perfect in every way and nobody should ever want to buy anything else.

Well I'll be goatfucked. Would never have thought someone could be that unlucky. I just assumed people took them out and forgot where they put them or left them on the roof of the car or something.

Originally Posted by GravelBen

I've heard/read more than one account of someone having the rifle on their back with bolt closed, catching the bolt on a branch/pack strap/whatever without noticing and opening it, then accidentally bumping the release on something else and dropping the bolt out.

Of course there are ways of avoiding that situation, but obviously it does happen and they do seem more susceptible to it than most other rifles.

I'm sure someone will pop up soon and tell me that it couldn't possibly be anything to do with the rifle design because Tikkas are perfect in every way and nobody should ever want to buy anything else.

+1

Had the bolt drop on the counter at the shop when I looked for a rifle and my thumb touched the release. Also seemed too easy to brush the safety off and catch the bolt handle; I had a play with this in the shop after the bolt dropped out. I figured this was likely to be why so many bolts slipped quietly out when the rifle was slung for the big walk.

So being the klutz I am I bought one with a tang mounted three position safety (damned near impossible to knock) and that you have to be a contortionist to operate the bolt release (a button forward of the trigger guard while squeezing the trigger and withdrawing the bolt). Being a newbie myself at the time I figured these were better safety features and the price was basically the same, and slightly cheaper by the time you added the almost obligatory limb saver to the T3.

And all this circles back to the opening post for this thread.

I think I'll put a string on it

Originally Posted by Gerbs

And all this circles back to the opening post for this thread.

I think I'll put a string on it

I've heard about people looping a rubber band around the bolt to stop it sliding back. Mind you I think they were people who hunt with the bolt up rather than trusting the safety, so they'd be more susceptible to it falling out.

If it really worries you there are plenty of other rifle options around the same price point that are just as good.

I lost the bolt on my mates .22 ansultz once. Slung on my shoulder and must have opened up and fell out. Lucky we retraced our steps on the farm and found it. I never would have thought it to be a problem but its happened to me out of no where so I know it can happen. Hard to understand until it happens to you I guess.

I'm sure plenty of people forget where they put them as well!

Close the fukn bolt, problem sorted.

If you are actively hunting, close it on a round, put the safety on and keep your finger outside the trigger guard.

If you are not hunting, unload the magazine and chamber, close the bolt.

Originally Posted by ebf

Close the fukn bolt, problem sorted.

If you are actively hunting, close it on a round, put the safety on and keep your finger outside the trigger guard.

If you are not hunting, unload the magazine and chamber, close the bolt.

On a recent hunt I got a bit of slack for hunting at action with the safety on (front of the group, rifle at ready). Other rifle in the party is a firm believer of half cock. So after we had unloaded and came down a big slippery hill and were talking shit before hunting again, ammo got put away and we carried out some little tests.

The savage DOES NOT HAVE A HALF COCK. If you bump the trigger when "half cock", the rifle will fire and the bolt slam down automatically.

The other rifle didn't have a very solid half cock either...it would fire if the bolt wasn't in the exact perfect position. From memory this was a T3 lite.

Anyway....that's my stand on things ;-) and I store my rifles with the bolt in (unloaded obviously, ammo stored in a different place), I travel with the bolt in, I walk in with the bolt in.

Bolt comes out for cleaning only.

Plus on the Savage you have to have three hands to use the bolt release


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Originally Posted by Dougie

On a recent hunt I got a bit of slack for hunting at action with the safety on (front of the group, rifle at ready). Other rifle in the party is a firm believer of half cock. So after we had unloaded and came down a big slippery hill and were talking shit before hunting again, ammo got put away and we carried out some little tests.

The savage DOES NOT HAVE A HALF COCK. If you bump the trigger when "half cock", the rifle will fire and the bolt slam down automatically.

The other rifle didn't have a very solid half cock either...it would fire if the bolt wasn't in the exact perfect position. From memory this was a T3 lite.

Anyway....that's my stand on things ;-) and I store my rifles with the bolt in (unloaded obviously, ammo stored in a different place), I travel with the bolt in, I walk in with the bolt in.

Bolt comes out for cleaning only.

Plus on the Savage you have to have three hands to use the bolt release

Did it actually fire when you pull the trigger in half bolt position, or just drop the bolt but without enough force on the firing pin to fire? I've heard the story that they will fire bounced around the internet, but never from anybody that has actually had it happen. Keep meaning to test it with my 223 but I never remember when I'm out shooting, I've tried it with the 22 and that doesn't fire despite similar stories. Obviously not the safest thing to rely on it though I agree, especially when the rifle has a good safety anyway. The only real reason I know of for relying primarily on half-bolt is a dodgy/worn-out safety.

The safety on the Ruger (also 3-stage like the Savage) has a handy function for people who like half-cock in that you can lock the bolt in a half-open position - bolt up (not halfway), and the safety will lock it there so it can't close or slide back.

I've been known to use a half-bolt as well as the safety at times - as much as anything because giving yourself two things to do before firing can help you slow down and think about the shot for a bit longer.

I store my bolts separately to my rifles (more effort for any potential thieves to slow them down/put them off, and no real extra effort for me) and I've never had any trouble remembering where I keep them! If I'm travelling with rifle/s then if I have to leave them in the car I can keep the bolt in my pocket, again extra security for no real effort. Hopefully I'll never need that extra security, but its not costing me anything to do it. Same reason I have my serial numbers written down.

I can't speak for the Tikka T3 models, but I have owned a Tikka M590 and a M595 (both .308)...both had the same 'feature' of half closed bolt slamming down and firing pin hitting home when trigger released. The only 'safe' positions for Tikka are either fully open (noisy rattle and potential to lose the bolt and/or get foreign matter into receiver) or closed on empty breach.

A personal thing for sure, but I never "half cock". I'm either ready to fire, or cannot fire without considerable intentional effort

Cheers for the replies - cheeky and otherwise!
I usually hunt with an unloaded rifle and closed bolt - a Ruger M77.

As I mentioned, I'm looking for something reliable and fairly newbie-proof, and the Tikka does have a good reputation - except for the mystery of the missing bolt

"I usually hunt with an unloaded rifle and closed bolt" (quote)

Good luck trying to kill animals with that

Originally Posted by Spook

"I usually hunt with an unloaded rifle and closed bolt" (quote)

Good luck trying to kill animals with that

Haven't had an issue yet!
I don't stalk - I'm a patient man

Ok, let's be fair, however we "DO" have many people who "lost" their bolt we no actually know exactly HOW they been lost or misplaced, so, I have till just early today 4 Tikka's T3 lite in 3 different calibers, I take them for a walk quiet often(one of them per/each walk) and the only time I "misplaced" my bolt was because I left it home, sadly it was 3 hours later since I left home.
All the or post in here, independent of the opinion and "piss taking" are correct and everybody should look after their hunting "patterns" and habits to keep it safe in any condition or situation.
Any good hunter know that you must load your firearm only when you ready to shoot, otherwise leave the chamber empty, bolt closed and safety on, this manner your bolt will not open during your walk and if you fall or slip it will have a very little or NONE chance to discharge. In the other hand, if you hunt in your own and think it is safe enough to carry your rifle loaded, fair enough, do it, but, make sure your bolt is closed properly(not half cocked) and your safety is ON. I do understand the some manufacturers have the safety lock independent from the bolt handling, what will still allow the bolt to get open if snagged somewhere.
So, my $.50 of opinion, does not matter how you hunt, be safe out there, carry your firearm in a way you and your hunting partners will be safe in all possible conditions/situations.

Have fun out there and shoot or spank your "game" with your rifle if necessary but do it safely.

All the best.

Mac