If this is the case it's a new one on me but it looks like it. I'm in the process of picking up a used Tikka that has been badly (real badly) neglected and the recoil lug is not attached to the reciever. It is in the stock and there is a slot in the reciever for the recoil lug to fit into. It does not appear that there is any welds or anything that have come loose and the reciever is blued in the slot so it sort of looks like it's suppose to be that way. IS IT
Thanks
Ron

THats all there is. Its pathetic really. I had a tikka T3 stainless laminated stock in 338. It cracked the stock after less than 100 shots. THat loose fitting little square of metal moved around way too much and battered the stock apart. I have heard from a few people that have had similar problems. I would have never bought the tikka had I known what a weak recoil lug system it had in it. It appears that the synthetic stock has enough flex in it to handle the setup. The only known fix is to have a tubbs recoil lug put in place, its similar to the remington lug and sandwiches between the barrel and action. THere is a local smith here who has had to do a couple of them. THe recoil lug wasn't attached to my brand new rifle either, I think they just sit in place hopefully lining up when you tighten the screws. THose screws are the only thing that holds the action in the stock..

Thanks for the info, who'ed ever thought it.

The sako trgs uses a similar system.A friend has one in 30-378 and I keep waiting for the recoil lug to break loose.It hasn't happened yet despite the rifles harsh recoil.