Buggered bolt.

[Tikkat1x]

I could t fine a section for massive F&£K ups.
So posted in rifles and calibers.

So out today with the 243 doing some seating depth testing. 4 shot it was a very strange noise. A bit of a bang but nothing else. So jumped up from my bench to have a think before I did anything else. Opened the bolt only to find no case ejection. Had a look down the barrel and the case was still in there. Got my phone out to take a picture to find this bloody mess. And as the bolt came out so did alsorts of other bits. All in the frozen muddy ground. Turns out the primer was in the wrong way. Which I just can’t believe as I’m always careful they go in my bench primer the correct way. And when Iv seated them I check them before they go in my ammo box. This sod has some how managed to get by me. Searched on the floor with fingertips for over an hour to find a spring and these 2 other bits. When I look on line it show a picture of just these 3 bits. And another photo of 5-6 bits.
So my question is. Is it buggered. If not. What parts do I need to and can I fix it myself. It’s a tikka t3x in .243.

 

[Tikkat1x]

.

 

[Mike1979]

Oops....

 

[palo]

I think it should be repairable with new parts. I would replace all parts on the bolt front and check the firing pin also.
I'm sure someone with more knowledge than me will give you the advice you need.
Did the powder ignite ?

 

[andyk]

You’re asking people on the internet so treat responses (including this one) accordingly.

I’d think the bolt will be fine, just sooty. I’ve fired primers once or twice with nothing in the case to dispose of them and they create a lot of soot (which probably explains your blackened bolt) but I doubt they’d ruin it.

I’d strip and clean the bolt to check for damage to the firing pin, extractor inlet or severe pitting to its face. Assuming none, I’d replace the extractor and associated parts and crack on.

 

[ashray]

safety first. take the bolt and rifle to a good gunsmith <not your local rfd !!

 

[Razzdogg]

The bolt is likely fine, personally would take it to a competent person ideally a gunsmith just for peace of mind, its not something you want to assume is good to go

 

[Klenchblaize]

No suggestions in the correct approach from me but I do wonder if this would have happened in warmer weather.

K

 

[VSS]

Most likely if you've got all the bits and nothing is actually broken then you'll be able to put it all back together again.
A rifle is a very simple mechanism really.

 

[Tikkat1x]

looking at my other tikka rifles bolt, if i hadn't already lost the barsteward spring, it would of gone back together, bolt face now clean, and firing pine is fine

 

[Tikkat1x]

I think it should be repairable with new parts. I would replace all parts on the bolt front and check the firing pin also.
I'm sure someone with more knowledge than me will give you the advice you need.
Did the powder ignite ?

Powder did not ignite no.

 

[Tikkat1x]

No suggestions in the correct approach from me but I do wonder if this would have happened in warmer weather.

K

??

 

[Dr. Strangelove]

Turns out the primer was in the wrong way. Which I just can’t believe as I’m always careful they go in my bench primer the correct way. And when Iv seated them I check them before they go in my ammo box. This sod has some how managed to get by me. .

I’m getting a strange sense of deja vu…

Post in thread 'Thinking of reloading,'
Thinking of reloading,

 

[ashray]

,i wish you good luck in getting the bolt back together and ready to use BUT check the chamber has not been damaged < a rifle smith would be a safe bet >?

 

[Klenchblaize]

??

Most metals undergo a transition from brittle to ductile behaviour as temperature increases. When temperature is low, the temperature dependent dislocation movement is inhibited, making metallic materials more susceptible to brittle fracture.​

K

 

[KimE]

You proably shouldnt reload then you dont do qaulity contol of your ammo and procedure.

 

[One on top of two]

I’m getting a strange sense of deja vu…

Post in thread 'Thinking of reloading,'
Thinking of reloading,

I remember , hows he getting on ? Oh wait

 

[kenbro]

Most likely if you've got all the bits and nothing is actually broken then you'll be able to put it all back together again.
A rifle is a very simple mechanism really.

^ This and once correctly assembled again dry fire it a few times with cases with fired or new primers in but no powder or bullets to check its cycling properly.
KB.

 

[SimpleSimon]

I remember , hows he getting on ? Oh wait

 

[Donkey Basher]

For the sake of a few quid I’d just buy a replacement extractor kit & get it fitted by someone who knows how so they can assess whether there’s any other damage that’s not otherwise immediately identifiable. It’s possible the extractor claw could look fine but may be slightly bent or have a stress crack that’ll lead to failure at a later date - as @Klenchblaize says, cold weather can affect the mechanical properties of the metal, not usually a problem under normal conditions but you’ve over stressed this part.

I managed to seat a primer in back to front like you once when I was bulk loading 222 on a progressive press so wasn't doing a visual check at each stage, but luckily it didn’t go off as it was seated deep enough for the pin not to strike the anvil.

If I was you I’d check the rest of the ammo you’ve loaded to make sure the primers are all fully seated.