Tikka t3x 22.250 barrel knackered

[jakey3]

Purchased a tikka t3x super varmint 22.250 December 2022 and suddenly just wouldn’t group and wasn’t within 6 inch. This rifle hasn’t done 500 rounds and looks brand new so went through all the usual checks and came down to issue with the rifle. I’ve always routinely deep cleaned it and after every outing pushed a few dry patches through it to remove moisture and Residue I often check it with my borescope anyway when deep cleaning to ensure I’ve removed everything. Took it too gun shop and they checked it and there was nothing that stood out like a sore thumb and are very suprised this have happened to young gun that’s done very little and I’ve a reputation with them anyway for being very particular with my rifles. They sent it to GMK to look at as even though it’s a year out of warranty it’s done nothing and it’s obvious it’s been well looked after. They came back saying the rifles pitted and won’t stand it which I found quite insulting so it was sent back and the GMK rep looked at it and pointed out 3 marks in the rifling and said it’s down to maintenance so they’ve washed there hands of it which I feel is disgusting service concidering tikka are supposed to be a top brand and have high quality this shouldn’t be happening on tikka rifles when they’ve done so little. They said they can send it to tikka but if they deem it’s not there problem I’ll be landed with a bill for whatever costs. Anyone else had issues with tikka rifles not living up to expectation and had a poor do with GMK? I’ve seen rifles that are 20 year old with rifling missing and the crown chipped to hell and still group within a 50p coin at 100 yards.

 

[muddy42]

I have shot lots of tikka rifles and never known one not to shoot. I don't think I'm alone, they have a fantastic reputation. Your borescope pics dont look that bad, the edges of the rifling look crisp and those cracks are meaningless.

What does the barrel look like near the chamber, or near the crown or what about the crown itself? Its the parts that the bullet touches first and last that makes a difference.

You say 'suddenly.' Did you purchase new or second hand, did the rifle group for a while then loose it? What changed I presume you have ruled out the scope, rings, stock, different ammo or homeloads.

I think GMK are known for being difficult unfortunately, but if its out of warranty that will explain it.

 

[Malxwal]

Typical GMK service.

 

[paulst]

Crikey that rifling looks pristine compared to mine. I won’t be borescoping again any time soon. The only effect that has is to worry me. The rifle doesn’t seem to care. Mine is a T3 in 222. Shoots great.

 

[palo]

The barrel doesn't look bad from those pics. My mate had a sako trg that was pitted everywhere and it still shot 1/4 inch groups at 100 yards.
There could be something else going on so I would check everything else on the rifle and the ammo to see.

 

[jakey3]

I have shot lots of tikka rifles and never known one not to shoot. I don't think I'm alone, they have a fantastic reputation. Your borescope pics dont look that bad, the edges of the rifling look crisp and those cracks are meaningless.

What does the barrel look like near the chamber, or near the crown or what about the crown itself? Its the parts that the bullet touches first and last that makes a difference.

You say 'suddenly.' Did you purchase new or second hand, did the rifle group for a while then loose it? What changed I presume you have ruled out the scope, rings, stock, different ammo or homeloads.

I think GMK are known for being difficult unfortunately, but if its out of warranty that will explain it.

Had it since new fella always grouped lovely bullet on bullet then just started spraying bullets wherever it wanted and was just the same with me mate shooting it was a good shot. First 2 pics are of the start of barrel and 3rd is of the crown. I have an alpex so took that off and put glass on it and was just the same. I run tier-one mounts all everything gets torqued correctly. Mod on and off and it was all the same just stuck bullets anywhere. Tried rounds from 5 different boxes all the same. So then put it down to the gun and sent it to gmk and they are interested. I understand it’s out of warranty but not by much a years nothing on a gun and to be sub 500 rounds they still should be doing something. If it was 8-10 year old and shot 2000 rounds you’d be happy with the life which is what anyone buying new tikka’s expects to get. Not 4 years and less than 500 rounds it’s a **** show in my opinion. Feel really let down.

 

[muddy42]

Those pics look fine.

If it shot OK then went bad, Id still be looking elsewhere than the barrel. Have you had the stock off to look for any issues - rubbing or something stuck in there? Ive had pinecones. remove mounts and rail or use different ones and a really basic fixed mag scope. Use bipod rather than sandbag or vice versa.

what happens if you shoot 20 rounds in quick succession, is there any pattern as the rifle warms up and fouls up?

 

[Will the chippy]

My mates got a 20yr old sako 22250 it's only got about 6inchs of rifling left and it still shoots well.
Can only think there's something else you've missed.

 

[RCS Deer Management]

I don’t think you have found the true issue there. I would try getting the rifle to someone who is knowledgeable about rifles who can work through everything and find the problem.

 

[20-250]

My mate has a T3, stainless, which he bought new. It was a 223 which never shot well. Tube was pitted after a few hundred shots. He does use it as a tool but cleans reasonably often. He used it as a donor for something else but the experience left a bitter taste.

 

[75]

Suddenly shooting badly doesn't equate to work out barrel - these things tend to be a bit more gradual than bullet on bullet to >6" group. As above, I'd be looking elsewhere for the source of the problem (and chucking the borescope in the bin).

 

[paulst]

As mentioned before, have you checked for any foreign materials between stock and barrel?

 

[ashray]

are you using a moderator ? if so shoot it with out and see how it shoots,also try a different scope. hope you areable to get it sorted .

 

[markyw]

Loose action screws? Loose mod? Scope mounts or scope taken a bash?

Regards

Mark

 

[jakey3]

As mentioned before, have you checked for any foreign materials between stock and barrel?

Had 2 different chassis on it fella

 

[paulst]

Had 2 different chassis on it fella

Ah that’s me stumped then!

 

[jakey3]

Ah that’s me stumped then!

It’s stumped a few of us fella. I could send it to a gun specialist and it cost a few hundred and they say it’s buggered or just get it rebarrelled which it only option I’m left with seeing as GMK are about as much good as a chocolate fire guard

 

[Cottis]

How are the rings mounted? On a rail? Has the rail been checked fully for solid union? I would try and borrow some proporietary mounts to rule out the rail fully as well.

 

[Pellet Pinger]

Picatinny rail loose?

 

[n3al]

It's hard to tell from the picture but is your crown damaged.
Mate had a .243 that shot poor, got it recrowned and was lights out again