Light Strike - Firing Pin issue? Tikka M695

[Apthorpe]

Given that second shots are working, I'm wondering if it's something to do with chambering the round quietly. Perhaps not closing right up, or some dirt in the "lugholes" (where the lugs lock in, the correct term escapes me) or similar?
Has it ever happened when you load rounds firmly with no regard to noise?

 

[30 06Neil]

I have experienced 4 misfires with my rifle within the last week (two of these misfires meant that I lost animals which, had the bullet fired, would have been successful culls = lost income as I am culling under contract).

Rifle - Tikka M695
Caliber - .270
Ammunition - Factory, Sako, Powerhead 2, 110 gn

The usual scenario is:

1. Spy deer, exit pickup
2. chamber round quietly, apply safety
3. approach/stalk into animal and set up for shot
4. remove safety, followed by the dreaded click.....!

If I have the opportunity for a reload, and second shot, then the second shot has worked each time.....

Recently, I have stripped the bolt, cleaned spring, firing pin etc, in the hope that this might cure the issue..... sadly not!

Upon inspection, the primer is struck, with a good impression on the surface of the primer. Compared to other spent cases of the same ammunition, it is perhaps very slightly more 'lightly struck'.

My thoughts/suspicions are:

A) I am chambering the round gently/quietly to avoid making noise, this is seating the round incorrectly, not far enough forward in the breach?
B) the firing pin is worn - which means that when the trigger is operated the firing pin isn't firing forward as much as it should?
C) The firing pin spring is worn - which means that when the trigger is operated, it does not have the necessary force to fire the primer.
D) I have a dodgy batch of SAKO ammo (I think this is unlikely, as I have used this ammo for a good while now, without issue).

I will attempt to post some photos of the misfired rounds and the spend cartridges for comparison and comment.

(N.B. - I know very little about ammo/reloading/primers etc)

Thanks in advance.
RS

[EDIT - I have just realised that this thread would probably be better places in the rifles/ammunition sections of this category - Admin - please feel free to relocate]

There have been occasions where soft metal was used in striker production on some shotguns ,causing a burr to form and slow/ drag the strikers operation. Hence a soft strike , may help ?? Cheers Neil

 

[User00040]

@roaring_stag what was the issue and was it resolved?

Or do you get a new rifle for Xmas?

 

[Muir]

Does it happen only after taking the safety off? Meaning, if you just chambered a round w/o the safety being engaged, would/does it still happen? ~Muir

 

[25 Sharps]

OP will take that advice on! Will give the bolt a proper clean through and soak tonight to try and un-gunk any detritus......

Thanks all for advice and comments - greatly appreciated.

RS

If you or a friend has one, strip and run all through an ultrasonic cleaner.

Had a m595 with a different, but related, issue. I would get slam fires on a fast reload, happened twice, stopped using the rifle.

Cleaned the trigger group in a US, years of crud and gunk was slowing the sear returning under spring pressure, enough that it wasn’t getting there in time to engage the bolt. Once cleaned it’s functioned perfectly.

I doubt it’s an issue that cannot be remedied, don’t give up on it too easily!

 

[alberta boy]

I love ultra sonic cleaners . They work really well on old motorcycle carburetors as well ........ thread drift . I had a 695 in 7mm RM for a while , I never ran into this problem . I have had two savage 10/110s that would misfire if the bolt wasn't fully closed . I did manage to replicate it at the range . If the bolts were slightly raised , the energy from the firing pin after being released would go into closing the bolt , as in , you could see the bolt closing after the trigger was pulled . There wasn't enough force to detonate the primer , but it would leave a slight indentation . If I made sure the bolt was fully closed , they fired every time . I fixed one by replacing the firing pin spring . The other one continued to do it , no matter what I did , the tolerances were just off somewhere . I sold it off with full disclosure . As others have pointed out , give it a really good clean and make sure the bolt is fully down , then see what happens . Good luck .

AB