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TX, USA
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Posted: 4/29/2018 9:18:08 AM EDT
[Last Edit: Old_Painless]
Hi guys, New guy here. Just bought my first rifle and because of the fact the gun ownership is new to me I just want to hear some recommendations for maintaining.
I bought the Tikka T3 Hunter, haven't shot it yet but was going to take it out this weekend which brings me to my first question. What should I do before shooting it this weekend?? So this will get me out to shoot a few shots, hopefully get a box of ammo through before heading out for deer, Is there anything I should do while going through a box of ammo, I have read posts of new gun ownership and the breaking in people do, is this required? Cleaning after ever third shot and stuff, sounds over kill but I bought this gun to last a lifetime. And once I get home what steps do I have to take to ensure it won't rust, cleaning and oiling of all metal parts, drying of the stock, treatment of the wood? If there is anything else people can recommend please lay it on me, like I said this is my first gun, got into hunting because I have a few friend that do it every year, not something I grew up with. |
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Posted: 4/29/2018 12:52:12 AM EDT
[Last Edit: DaveP1]
[#1]
You should have received an owners/new owners manual or booklet with the gun and it should outline how that gun should be broke in. Also you might want to ask your questions about a new bolt action rifle in the rifle section, this section is pretty much devoted to the AR platform rifles.
Congrats on your new rifle, you will enjoy it. Bolt Action Rifle Section |
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USA
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Posted: 4/29/2018 2:47:29 AM EDT
[Last Edit: BarrettBoy]
[#2]
Is this your first firearm, as in first ever?
#1- pretty obvious, but memorize and follow the basic rules of firearm safety down cold -Treat all guns as if they are loaded. -Keep the gun pointed in the safest possible direction -Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot. -Know your target, its surroundings and beyond. Before hitting the range with a new gun, I generally like to get familiar with the manual of arms so I'm not figuring out how things work for the first time at a live range. Also get familiar with the takedown, and give it a good cleaning and lubing. This is also pretty obvious and I'm not sure if it even needs saying, but make sure you have a scope or some kind of aiming device, and make sure it's properly installed. |
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Posted: 4/29/2018 10:51:02 AM EDT
[#3]
Have you ever been hunting before?
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ID, USA
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Posted: 4/29/2018 11:24:09 AM EDT
[#4]
I recommend taking hunters ed if you haven't done so.
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Posted: 4/29/2018 12:02:16 PM EDT
[Last Edit: bfoosh06]
[#5]
Memorize those firearm rules...we all have seen people not being careful.
I suggest taking it apart, and giving the whole thing a good cleaning... most all firearms have some sort of oil preservative on them... even in the bore. The bolt probably has it inside as well... even on the firing pin. Follow the owners manual instructions for the break down A decent bore solvent will break it down and remove it. ( Do not use WD-40... it will gum up down the road ) The bore and firing pin ( as long as you can get to the firing pin easily ) are important to do.... the bore needs to break in ( become burnished in ) the reason most manufacturers recommend a "break in" procedure is not just to remove any fouling and copper deposits... but to allow the bullets to burnish the actual barrel steel, and not burnish the fouling and copper deposits. ( I hope that made sense ) The firing pin is important , because you don't want it gummed up at all... you want a consistent strike on the ammo's primer. ( Helps promote accuracy ) That is one of the reasons for chromed firing pins... and if you remove any preservative now ... you shouldn't have to worry about it getting gummy later. Even if you can't get to the firing pin... it won't be the end of the world. Don't fuss with the trigger... if you are a beginner you can fubar it pretty easily. The Finn's know how to produce good firearms, especially considering the environment Finland has. I usually apply a car wax to the exterior of the barrel and the exterior blued surfaces... something like Nu-Finish... IMHO, it does help protect against possible rust. You don't have to get all OCD about it ( I am OCD... there, I said it ) It sure as heck hasn't hurt anything on my blued firearms. The stock is most likely already sealed against moisture.. wipe the whole firearm dry prior to any storage, afterwards allow it to dry in open air, in a comfortable environment ( someplace comfortable to you and your body )... especially do not store in its rifle bag, if it is wet... those things can trap moisture, and led to rust. Do not expect to be a marksman right away... even if you are up to the task... your rifles barrel "might" not like the specific brand ammo. So don't get frustrated if the rifle and you don't produce tiny groups the first time out. I didn't notice the caliber of the Tikka. ... and all of us "Gunny" folk have opinions on that... so don't worry about the whole "Did I get the right caliber thing.. "... Just Enjoy the rifle. I would suggest you try a few different brands of ammo... just to see if the barrel has a more specific preference. Be sure to have comfortable sling. After shooting it about 20rds... double check the scope mounts are snug... heck even before shooting it. In our haste... we can do silly things like not checking that. ( I've been guilty ... and that is just a complete bummer,.... after you realize you just wasted ammo, time, and practice chasing accuracy that was never gonna happen ) Let us know how you like it... and feel free to ask all the "noob" questions you want... we all started somewhere. |
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Posted: 4/29/2018 4:21:47 PM EDT
[#6]
Dont store it inside a rifle bag.
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NM, USA
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Posted: 4/30/2018 11:34:32 AM EDT
[#7]
As far as breaking the barrel in, I ignore all manufacturer instructions. They have this long, drawn out process of shoot, clean, shoot, clean, shoot, clean. Right, because that's SO easy to do at a public range. F that. Shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot. Then clean when you get home. Boom, done. Just make sure to add a few drops of lube to the action before you shoot it.
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OR, USA
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Posted: 8/21/2019 5:44:56 PM EDT
[Last Edit: dan1477]
[#8]
Yeah, don't overdo the cleaning. If you're scrubbing the bore with a copper brush every 3rd shot it'll wear down the bore in the long run.
I am a huge fan of boresnakes. They're gentler on your bore and make cleaning a snap. Get one for your caliber, spray it with your oil of choice, and pull it through. I personally clean my rifles every 3rd range trip, depending on roundcount. But, how often YOU do it depends on storage conditions. If you live in muggy Florida and have no A/C, your rifle will rust if you don't oil it after use. But if you live in Arizona (or have a gunsafe with a dehumidifier) then excessive oiling is not required. On one of my AKs I have well over 2000 rounds through it with no cleaning. It's bone dry and I have zero issues. |
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ITA
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Posted: 8/21/2019 6:30:49 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Frens]
[#9]
Nevermind..
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Posted: 8/22/2019 9:50:58 AM EDT
[Last Edit: dbd870]
[#10]
Pretty well covered. Do clean it well. Also agree with try some different brand and bullet weights to see what your rifle likes. I done the break in routine with some rifles and not with others. Not convinced it makes much difference. Good choice on the Tikka
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Posted: 3/30/2023 7:36:23 PM EDT
[#11]
OP, one piece cleaning rod and a guide for your rifle..You only clean a barrel from the chamber end toward the muzzle..
Never ever drag anything from the muzzle end.. never ever put oil/grease in the chamber, clean it out and dry // ?// |
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Posted: 4/2/2023 8:53:32 AM EDT
[#12]
Originally Posted By slainejude113: Hi guys, New guy here. Just bought my first rifle and because of the fact the gun ownership is new to me I just want to hear some recommendations for maintaining. I bought the Tikka T3 Hunter, haven't shot it yet but was going to take it out this weekend which brings me to my first question. What should I do before shooting it this weekend?? I always run a wet patch down the bore & then a few dry ones. Make sure the bore is clean, IOW. Is there anything I should do while going through a box of ammo, I have read posts of new gun ownership and the breaking in people do, is this required? Cleaning after ever third shot and stuff, sounds over kill but I bought this gun to last a lifetime. I've done both ways. I've swabbed the bore after each shot for the first 10rds or so. I've done the swab-it-once-before-shooting-it routine as well. With a Tika, *I* would baby it as it's a damn good gun. And once I get home what steps do I have to take to ensure it won't rust, cleaning and oiling of all metal parts, drying of the stock, treatment of the wood? Clean it & oil it. Remove the bolt, remove the stock/fore end to oil under the wood. Stocks are sealed from the factory but you can use some wood treatment to preserve it if you want. If there is anything else people can recommend please lay it on me, like I said this is my first gun, got into hunting because I have a few friend that do it every year, not something I grew up with. NEVER use corrosive or steel case ammo in it, IMO. A bolt action isn't worried too much with steel cases like a semi is, but why bother, IMO? Corrosive ammo will eat your bore. Enjoy your rifle!!!! 
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Posted: 4/2/2023 9:40:35 AM EDT
[#13]
 Tech Tip: Tikka T3x Bolt Maintenance 101 I have a friend who experienced light primer strikes with his Tikka during a hunt, extremely frustrating. It seems to be relatively common. This video shows what to do to prevent/fix the issue. I'd also run a dry patch down the bore prior to the initial firing. Good luck! |
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Posted: 1/9/2024 9:12:49 PM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By DaveP1: You should have received an owners/new owners manual or booklet with the gun and it should outline how that gun should be broke in. Also you might want to ask your questions about a new bolt action rifle in the rifle section, this section is pretty much devoted to the AR platform rifles. Congrats on your new rifle, you will enjoy it. Bolt Action Rifle Section FPNI The Owners Manual should tell you what, if anything, you should do for break-in. |
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Posted: 1/16/2024 11:52:17 PM EDT
[#15]
Gentlemen the original post is 5 years old.
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Posted: 1/20/2024 9:30:02 PM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Andrewsky: Gentlemen the original post is 5 years old. Well, mebbe he hasn't shot it yet? 
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