Magazine issue with Tikka

[Die Judicii]

Hi all,, unfortunately my brand new Tikka "came out of the box WITH issues.

1) the recoil lug fit up was damm lousey
2) the trigger was terrible
3) NOW I have issue with the magazine

I fixed the recoil lug issue when I bedded and floated it.
I fixed the trigger by installing a Yo Dave spring.

For a so called quality and popular brand I found these issues very irksome to say the least, and really should not have existed in the 1st instance.

Now I definitely hate the magazine.
My particular unit is a timber stocked T3X stainless fluted in .223

My issue is exacerbated by the fact that my fingers don't work like they used to,,, but I've now discovered that I am not the only one that finds
putting rounds in it is far from easy.

Instead of being a typical staggered formation as they go in, this thing is vertical (upanddicular)....... and added to the degree of difficulty is the
damm blanking/block that is incorporated as a cost saving measure so the same mag can be used for the longer caliber rounds.

I have great difficulty getting the 2nd and 3rd round in, as they keep slipping from side to side on top of the previous round as you exert pressure
downwards,,,,,,, while at the same time trying to navigate the round in and under the magazine lips.

Do some of you guys find the same issue ?

Does anyone know if there is an aftermarket magazine for this rifle that doesn't have these issues ???

I dread the thought of having to reload the mag in a hurry and in the dark,,,,,,,,,,, in fact, I wouldn't even attempt it.

[Bill]

The crap lug issue is well know but one eyed T3 fans like to ignore it.

Trigger is Ok but massively improved by the Yo Dave spring

Its a s**t mag designed especially for the smaller cases.

Its reasons like these why many now buy superior and cheaper Mauser M18 and Sauer 100s

[glenn777]

I thought the lug issue was sorted in the T3X model? What was the issue with the trigger was it too heavy? I found with some adjustment mine feels really good.

The magazines are a prick, mines a 308 so not so much an issue feeding rounds except the last one is always a bit tight. Have contemplated going after market.

[MinuteofGoat]

It's a single feed mag, always have been for the T3. I'm not sure what you thought you were getting, but it's in the factory specs.

I have 2000 rounds through my T3 308 and the recoil lug looks factory fresh. I don't get why people swap them, what I have works fine.

The trigger is what it is. I swapped my spring and loved it. The factory spring worked, but aftermarket was better.

[TassieTiger]

Metal mag from here is a beautiful thing...not cheap but they work fantastic and the follower can’t wear out like on oem magazines.
http://www.watersrifleman.com/magazines/

[Die Judicii]

I have 2000 rounds through my T3 308 and the recoil lug looks factory fresh. I don't get why people swap them, what I have works fine.
.

Thats simple to answer,,,,,,,,,,, pre bedding,,,,, the recoil lug had 4 mm of free movement back and forth. If that works fine for you,,, it's not good enough for me.

[Die Judicii]

Metal mag from here is a beautiful thing...not cheap but they work fantastic and the follower can’t wear out like on oem magazines.
http://www.watersrifleman.com/magazines/

Yeah thanks Tassie, I had already looked via internet at these tonite, and was gonna do more investigation.
If you have one,,,,,,,,,,,,, what is it like to fill up?? ,,, which is my major concern.

[TassieTiger]

Yes — I have one, mate has 3 - very good quality. (Now you’ll get a crap one...) don’t you hate that.
I recommended hogs breath to a friend for prime rib, when we received our food - his steak was 85% fatty crap...I felt like poo,
Actually DJ - those mags are crap, don’t get one

[Die Judicii]

Yes — I have one, mate has 3 - very good quality. (Now you’ll get a crap one...) don’t you hate that.
I recommended hogs breath to a friend for prime rib, when we received our food - his steak was 85% fatty crap...I felt like poo,
Actually DJ - those mags are crap, don’t get one

I get yer drift Mate.
The thing is,, they will still be a single non staggered vertical stack in the mag won't they ?

Whereas say for instance a Sako .308 metal mag.
Because they are staggered you have either side edge to lay the round against and simply push downward.

Whereas the Tikka .223 is a push down and slide back, just like most .22 rf mags.

Somehow I think there is gonna be an excellent condition Tikka hit the market soon.

[Oldbloke]

FMD. What is it with modern fire arm manufacturing? I hear of so many failing in this area.

[AussieCapitalist]

Thats called a Monday morning hang over build or a Friday arvo early knock build mate.

Sorry

[PaddyT]

Had absolutely no problems with my 223 with both the 4 rnd factory mag and the 6 rnd mag (also branded Tikka)- was yours a T3 or a T3X- im certainly aware that there where problems with the recoil lug on the T3 with heavier calibres but thought that the aluminium lug there was replaced with a stainless steel lug. Honestly take it back to the GS and make it Beratta's problem.

[Die Judicii]

Had absolutely no problems with my 223 with both the 4 rnd factory mag and the 6 rnd mag (also branded Tikka)- was yours a T3 or a T3X- im certainly aware that there where problems with the recoil lug on the T3 with heavier calibres but thought that the aluminium lug there was replaced with a stainless steel lug. Honestly take it back to the GS and make it Beratta's problem.

It is a T3X, and it has the steel lug,,, but as I said, out of the box it had a 4mm slop back and forth when you placed your thumb on top of it and wiggled
back and forth.
I solved that when I did the bedding job on it.

In hindsight I should've taken it back, but they wouldn't even look at it now that it has been bedded.

It was purchased brand new at the end of February 2020

[Die Judicii]

Had absolutely no problems with my 223 with both the 4 rnd factory mag and the 6 rnd mag (also branded Tikka)

What is this branded Tikka ?????

I just had a close look at mine, and there is NO Tikka "brand" on it anywhere.

All it has is the letters "SM" in the plastic right at the back top land area where the bolt slides through.
And I have no idea what that signifies.

[Blr243]

My old blr 243 mag and my new sauer 243 mag are both staggered feed My lucky 13 mags that suit my sauer 243 and my ruger bushmaster are both single stack I’m not really sure why I don’t like the single stack because they work ok

[SCJ429]

You can have a few fettling issues with a $10,000 custom rig, it doesn't look like you have any insurmountable problems there. If you need it I can give you $50 for your "lemon" Tikka, only because I am feeling generous.

[Oldbloke]

You can have a few fettling issues with a $10,000 custom rig, it doesn't look like you have any insurmountable problems there. If you need it I can give you $50 for your "lemon" Tikka, only because I am feeling generous.

lol chimp.gif (284.83 KiB) Viewed 6485 times

[PaddyT]

6rnd mag came from a plastic bag with Tikka trademark on the tag-not sure how much more Tikka it could be?

[MontyShooter]

Can't say I've ever had an issue with any of my tikka single stack mags. Same with the Lithgow which use the same design. I always use my left hand to push down a round so another can slide over the top. If you're just using the round to press down on another then I guess it could get caught up.
The mag lips are different on my lithgow 223 vs the tikka 7mm but maybe that's just a caliber difference.

[animalpest]

I have T3 and no T3x rifles. Most of our Tikka magazines ( and we have quite a few 3 and 5 shot) have all played up and have been discarded.

Lucky 13 mags are a terrific replacement. Tough and reliable.