Buggered bolt.

[Tikkat1x]

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.

thanks, firstly for not trying to be a smart arse i will buy a new kit and get it fitted properly as you say, there £50 but for some reason only ones i can find come with other parts

Spare Bolt Extractor / Ejector Service Kit for Tikka T3x/ T3 and Sako A7 - Bagnall and Kirkwood Airgun Spares

Genuine Sako/Tikka factory spare part kit Suitable for Tikka T3,T3X and Sako A7 Extractor Extractor Plunger Extractor Spring Ejector Ejector Spring Spring Pin Suitable for all calibers

spares.bagnallandkirkwood.co.uk

 

[Tikkat1x]

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

Dont i? didnt realise the heading was, look what iv done, do you think i should reload or not.

 

[enfieldspares]

What has happened is that as the primer was backwards it has "fired".

Fortunately for the OP and then, it has not been able to ignite the charge of powder in the case. This is because the primer being the wrong way around has acted as a "cup" and sealed any escape of the flash through the flash hole to the powder.

The design of the bolt has done what it has seemingly done what it has supposed to do and allowed the extractor to be "sacrificed" allow safe escape of the mis-routed gases from the primer away from the firer's face and in the best "least unsafe" direction.

As said by blowing out the ejector it has "failed safe" as it were.

However rifles, even Tikka rifles, are cheaper than a new eye or new face and if in any doubt the OP should when he has put the bolt back together call in at a Proof House and have them fire it with...by request...a standard pressure cartridge.

That way it can be seen to have been tested by a qualified "third party" and given a clean bill of health. We live in a time of ambulance chasing lawyers alas.

 

[Tikkat1x]

What has happened is that as the primer was backwards it has "fired".

Fortunately for the OP and then, it has not been able to ignite the charge of powder in the case. This is because the primer being the wrong way around has acted as a "cup" and sealed any escape of the flash through the flash hole to the powder.

The design of the bolt has done what it has seemingly done what it has supposed to do and allowed the extractor to be "sacrificed" allow safe escape of the mis-routed gases from the primer away from the firer's face and in the best "least unsafe" direction.

As said by blowing out the ejector it has "failed safe" as it were.

However rifles, even Tikka rifles, are cheaper than a new eye or new face and if in any doubt the OP should when he has put the bolt back together call in at a Proof House and have them fire it with...by request...a standard pressure cartridge.

That way it can be seen to have been tested by a qualified "third party" and given a clean bill of health. We live in a time of ambulance chasing lawyers alas.

testing for the sake of the bolt, or barrel

 

[Smelly Yeti]

Wow - firstly, glad that a few mangled parts & wee bit of bruised pride are the only damage & secondly, huge kudos for being man enough to admit to such an error on the SD for the benefit of other members! Having worked for many years in an industry where Human Factors reporting is critical to improving safety & preventing repeat errors I for one completely appreciate you taking the time to share & post

If it were me I’m honestly not sure what approach I’d take? Would obviously dismantle, clean & inspect, replace components & reassemble/test but that’s the easy bit! I do know for certain that I would then be in that moral quandary between trusting in my own experience & ‘cracking on’ against ‘recognising my limitations’ & seeking further specialist advice/a second professional opinion? I’d be lying if i said that I was 100% sure but I can’t help feeling that the OCD part of me wouldn’t be able to reconcile the whole “if there’s any doubt, there’s no doubt” & I’d probably end up doing the latter just as belt & braces?

As for how it happened…… another phrase that we use all of the time at work is that “you’re only as good as your last job” & no matter how hard we try - to err is human! We reflect, we learn & we move on as better people? I’m a wee bit disappointed to read some open criticism re ‘lack of stage checks’ & ‘poor QC’ etc because I am absolutely certain that, prior to the event, you were positive that you had completed all of these correctly. After all - who in their right mind on the forum is going to knowingly load an incorrectly assembled round & pull the trigger! My personal experience is that such checks are only truly effective when carried out independently by a second (fresh) set of eyes in recognition of the fact that no matter how professional we strive to be “to err is human”…… oh, we’re back to that again!

Anyway, apologies for the long winded post - should probably have stuck at “thanks for sharing” Good luck in whichever path you take & safe stalking.

 

[shakey jake]

Dont i? didnt realise the heading was, look what iv done, do you think i should reload or not.

Its happened twice, i would change my procedure

 

[Smelly Yeti]

Wow - firstly, glad that a few mangled parts & wee bit of bruised pride are the only damage & secondly, huge kudos for being man enough to admit to such an error on the SD for the benefit of other members! Having worked for many years in an industry where Human Factors reporting is critical to improving safety & preventing repeat errors I for one completely appreciate you taking the time to share & post

If it were me I’m honestly not sure what approach I’d take? Would obviously dismantle, clean & inspect, replace components & reassemble/test but that’s the easy bit! I do know for certain that I would then be in that moral quandary between ‘trusting in my own experience & cracking on’ against ‘recognising my limitations’ & seeking further specialist advice/a second professional opinion? I’d be lying if i said that I was 100% sure but I can’t help feeling that the OCD part of me wouldn’t be able to reconcile the whole “if there’s any doubt, there’s no doubt) & I’d probably end up doing the latter just as belt & braces?

As for how it happened…… another phrase that we use all of the time at work is that “you’re only as good as your last job!” & no matter how hard we try - to err is human! We reflect, we learn & we move on as better people? I’m a wee bit disappointed to read open criticism re ‘lack of stage checks’ & ‘poor QC’ etc because I am absolutely certain that (prior to the event) you were positive that you had completed all of these correctly. After all - who in their right mind on the forum is going to knowingly load an incorrectly assembled round & pull the trigger! My personal experience is that such checks are only truly effective when carried out independently by a second (fresh) set of eyes in recognition of the fact that no matter how professional we strive to be “to err is human”…… oh, we’re back to that again!

Anyway, apologies for the long winded post - should probably have stuck at “thanks for sharing” Good luck in whichever path you take & safe stalking.

 

[Laurie]

I've seen this a couple of times with Tikkas over the years. The extractor is invariably blown off the bolt head as here, but it seems rarely if ever suffers any damage. You've been lucky in being able to open the bolt afterwards as usually the detached extractor parts drop into a bolt lug recess and lock the bolt up good and proper. This often requires the barrel to be removed to get the bits out and free the bolt up.

 

[enfieldspares]

testing for the sake of the bolt, or barrel

For the sake of your liability if a third party was injured after you had repaired it. I have no doubt at all that the bolt and barrel are fine. I also have no doubt that in today's world of ambulance chasing lawyers that a third party check that all is now once more OK is wise. Just to cover your own back.

 

[jb1]

I have read this post twice now, and dont think i missed any points.

The reason i had to read it TWICE was just to confirm if what i read in the 1st post was correct,

"Primer in the wrong way round"

"Should i stop reloading"

Yes to both, and pick up your Darwin award its on the table.

 

[Klenchblaize]

I have read this post twice now, and dont think i missed any points.

The reason i had to read it TWICE was just to confirm if what i read in the 1st post was correct,

"Primer in the wrong way round"

"Should i stop reloading"

Yes to both, and pick up your Darwin award its on the table.

A tad harsh but perhaps a trip to SpecSavers. That or an ammo box that let's more light in when opened.

I'm glad the Op escaped injury and rifle will very likely pass it's next MOF test.

K

 

[dasherman]

Bolts probably fine, seen loads where the extractor has been blown off due to a primer leaking ( but not the wrong way round) however as your location says Leeds take it to either Steve Kershaw or Dave Wylde to check it out. Reason the extractor/ejector kit shows more parts than you need is because it’s a generic kit that covers more than one model/calibre of T3.

 

[Tikkat1x]

thanks for all the good replies chaps, i will get it sorted professionally, and obviously pay more attention, despite the fact i thought i had,