Took my Tikka T3 .308 to the range on Sunday after a 5 month Hiatus. Both gun and mod were stored in cabinet, perfectly dry.
Upon firing I noticed that my bolt lift was extremely stiff. I was using factory Hornady amax Tap 168gr as always (the only round I've ever put through the rifle apps 1300) and almost every single empty case was showing signs of pressure signs. I had pulled the barrel through before firing and the only thing I can think of was that I'd left oil inside my mod after cleaning. It's a one piece case northstar and knowing that I wouldn't be using the mod for months I gave it a liberal blast of wd40. Usually inleave for 24 hours to air then i store downwards with kitchen roll to absorb any excess. I hadn't done this and thus I suspect oil had pulled in bottom. I fired 22 rounds, with no apparent effect on my accuracy. After going home and cleaning later on, something just didnt sit right with me and I suspected that my rifle was stiffer to cock the bolt. I stripped the bolt and upon inspection found a crack in the firing pin assembly. See pics below.
Could the over pressure have caused this part to fail or is it likely that this is actually the cause of what appears to be overpressure but it in fact because the firing pin has been forced back because of broken part?
I understand weak / defective firing pins can sometimes cause what appears to be pressure signs
A penny for your thoughts....
Upon firing I noticed that my bolt lift was extremely stiff. I was using factory Hornady amax Tap 168gr as always (the only round I've ever put through the rifle apps 1300) and almost every single empty case was showing signs of pressure signs. I had pulled the barrel through before firing and the only thing I can think of was that I'd left oil inside my mod after cleaning. It's a one piece case northstar and knowing that I wouldn't be using the mod for months I gave it a liberal blast of wd40. Usually inleave for 24 hours to air then i store downwards with kitchen roll to absorb any excess. I hadn't done this and thus I suspect oil had pulled in bottom. I fired 22 rounds, with no apparent effect on my accuracy. After going home and cleaning later on, something just didnt sit right with me and I suspected that my rifle was stiffer to cock the bolt. I stripped the bolt and upon inspection found a crack in the firing pin assembly. See pics below.
Could the over pressure have caused this part to fail or is it likely that this is actually the cause of what appears to be overpressure but it in fact because the firing pin has been forced back because of broken part?
I understand weak / defective firing pins can sometimes cause what appears to be pressure signs
A penny for your thoughts....
