Gunsmithing Question on Tikka actions

[Jeff in TX]

Just prior to sending my Tikka T3 off to Chad Dixon for a rebuild I was out at the ranch with a few buddies who were sporting some of their lastest custom builds. A couple of them on custom $1K plus actions. We each shot everyone’s rifle. It started to become comical when someone would shoot my Tikka. The all marveled at the buttery smoothness of my Tikka action and a couple actually pulled the bolt back to make sure it fed the cartridge. They said they really couldn’t feel it picking up the cartridge. Now, the standard Remington’s, Winchester and Savage rifles weren’t even close to my Tikka, actually they were just plain sloppy and some of the $1K actions didn’t glide my Tikka. However the custom rifle shot lights out!

Sorry I’m not a mechanical engineer (electrical) but my question is what makes the Tikka actions glide so effortlessly? How does Tikka do this on a factory produced rifle? My guess they are built to extremely tight tolerances but that's just a guess?

Thoughts anyone?

 

[2156SMK]

Re: Question on Tikka actions

They are actually built extremely LOOSE.
They also polish the parts to a very smooth finish.

Custom guns with tighter fitting actions are generally not as smooth running as looser fitting factory guns, especially guns with lots of rounds through them.
A 700 with 5k rounds fired in dirty conditions will run as smooth as snot on glass.

 

[Jeff in TX]

Re: Question on Tikka actions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 2156SMK</div><div class="ubbcode-body">They are actually built extremely LOOSE.
They also polish the parts to a very smooth finish.

Custom guns with tighter fitting actions are generally not as smooth running as looser fitting factory guns, especially guns with lots of rounds through them.
A 700 with 5k rounds fired in dirty conditions will run as smooth as snot on glass. </div></div>

Thanks for the reply, so a question piggy backing on your answer. If you creakote the Tikka bolt and the action will it lose its ultra smoothness?

 

[nhm16]

Re: Question on Tikka actions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jeff in TX</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you creakote the Tikka bolt and the action will it lose its ultra smoothness? </div></div>

I can't answer about Tikkas in particular, but my Stiller TAC 30 was not as smooth after I had the action and bolt Cerakoted.

 

[Adam B]

Re: Question on Tikka actions

I had a tikka that was melonited and it was very smooth after the treatment

 

[eracer]

Re: Question on Tikka actions

Cerakote adds about .0002" of surface thickness (depending on how many layers are applied,) while melonite adds about .0000008" (depending on the alloys involved and the treatment duration.)

 

[Hellbender]

Re: Question on Tikka actions



Thanks for the reply, so a question piggy backing on your answer. If you creakote the Tikka bolt and the action will it lose its ultra smoothness? [/quote]

Yes, I actually just bead blasted a bolt to remove some of the shine, and you could tell it. Still smoother than about any other action, but not as slick as before.

 

[jrob300]

Re: Question on Tikka actions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hellbender</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jeffinTX</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

Thanks for the reply, so a question piggy backing on your answer. If you creakote the Tikka bolt and the action will it lose its ultra smoothness? </div></div>

Yes, I actually just bead blasted a bolt to remove some of the shine, and you could tell it. Still smoother than about any other action, but not as slick as before. </div></div>

If you just bead blast...yes. It is noticeably rougher. I gritblasted my action and bolt with the recommended prep for Cerakote, then coated, then rubbed a little TriFlow into the Cerakote, ran the bolt a few times... it was a little stiff at first, but the Cearkote polishes and smoothes. Once it's worked in a bit, it's even smoother that the stock bolt, as hard as that may be to believe. You cannot believe how many people want to fondle my bolt at a match.

John

 

[Just Jim]

Re: Question on Tikka actions

If you're running a stock rifle, you're also feeding from poly magazines, which generate lower friction as the top round is stripped.

I had a Tikka Varmint in .223, which is now the wife's. It's an amazing rifle for the price, and I wouldn't pull the factory barrel in favor of a custom - it just shoots too darn fine!

I did order a Manners stock for my girl, and she's now running AICS .223 magazines via the CDI bottom metal. With 75 grain VLDs, she beats the dickens out of targets out past 800.

The only intolerable component on the stock Tikka was the magazines, which would not permit loading into the leade.

Congratulations in advance on your custom build, I'm sure it will be a dandy!

Cheers... Jim

PS: Sun was in her eyes...

 

[Boltfluter]

Re: Question on Tikka actions

Good for her. Looks like she is bearing down. Always nice to shoot with the wife. I have a T3 in .223 and its a shooter.

Regards, Paul.