Free floating barrel problem ??
 

My Tikka T3 is supposed to have a free floating barrel !! I have checked this with several different types of paper, dollar bills, etc. and they all stop at the same spot !!

Where the barrel tapers down and around the end of the "read your owner's manual" warning is where paper stops on mine !! If you are supposed to have clearance the entire length of the barrel..........wouldn't that go all the way to where the barrel is attatched.... back by the bolt ??

The gun is shooting pretty good..........would you worry about this ?

It's a Tikka T3 stainless/sythetic .270 WSM if it matters !

RE: Free floating barrel problem ??
 

Normally the barrel should be floated all the wa back to the action. Is your a wooden or synthetic stock? In the past I've had wooden stocked rifles shift to where the barrel would touch in one or more areas. I always removed enough wood in the barrel channel to ensure the barrel was floating again.

RE: Free floating barrel problem ??
 

I guess I don't understand. Why not just take the barreled action out of the stock and take a look. Doesn't take a few min.

RE: Free floating barrel problem ??
 

Obviously I don't know much and would be a little worried about taking a new gun apart !!

What would I need to do to take it apart..........what would I check.......how do you check it (paint, powder, etc.) .........what would I have to worry about taking it apart (springs,clips, etc.) ???

RE: Free floating barrel problem ??
 

In general if it is shooting good don't mess with it. However, what is in your definition pretty good?

Taking the rifle apart is typically pretty easy just take your time. Remove the bolt and magazine. Remove the action screws and pull it apart. If it is a new gun taking the action out of the barrel may take some force.

Before taking it apart I would contact the manufacturer and see what there policy is on free-floating. Maybe they'll do it for you.

Tom

RE: Free floating barrel problem ??
 

CBM, its only two action screws. take the barreled action out, and see what is contacting. You can use foot spray or whatever if its that much of an issue. But it should be appearant.

RE: Free floating barrel problem ??
 

My T-3 Stainless synthetic does the same. The bill stops about where you said yours did. The rifle has shot great for about 1 year, so I haven't worried much about it. Guess I'll pull the screws and have a look-see.

RE: Free floating barrel problem ??
 

If MOA is 1" per 100 yards.......I am not too far off with my good shots !! I am probably no more than 1/2" off per 100 out to 300 with 5 out of 6 shots.........but I do have that one that gets away from me when I pull (usually low and right)!!

When I am taking my time and not pulling........have many shots touching or within 1/4" of each other even at 225 !! Very impressed with the gun so far !!

My 300 yard groups had several shots within 1/2" of each other and the worst was no more than 3-3.5" off !! This is once I got in on @ 300 [8D]:D!!!

RE: Free floating barrel problem ??
 

Typically when the barrel is freefloated the portion of the barrel that is the chamber is not floated, generally the first 2-3 inches of the barrel connected to the action. The reason being it's not effected by the bullet moving down the barrel because it's behind the bullet.

RE: Free floating barrel problem ??
 

The first couple inches may not be, where the bbl ends it's "taper" is where the free float should start, just after the action. Depends on the gun though.
More important is that you don't have uneven contact on the bbl. "Pressure on one side of the bbl and not the other....

RE: Free floating barrel problem ??
 

With groups like that, why would you want to free float it? I wouldn't tough it. I have a few guns that likes a little pressure on the barrel.

RE: Free floating barrel problem ??
 

Some rifles require a little added pressure. Why sweat it if it's accurate? Seriously

RE: Free floating barrel problem ??
 

Not only that, but some rifles (NULAs iirc) are bedded from receiver tang all the way to the end of the stock and they shoot good.
Like someone already mentioned, the first 2-3" of the barrel is usually bedded with the action.

RE: Free floating barrel problem ??
 

Don't touch it.

Tom

RE: Free floating barrel problem ??
 

Thanks !! Just thought I would ask !!

At what point are we embarrassed?
 

Howdy All,

Be vary careful when buying a Tikka...Just picked up a Tikka T3x in 270 Winchester two weeks ago. Took it to the range twice. Factory loads the first time (Winchester and Remington) The results at 100 yards were lackluster. Second time out I used handholds of 140GN Nosler Acccubonds. Which by the way print 3/8" clovers at 100yds in my other 270 a 1955 Steyr Mannlicher Schonauer.

The best group that I could muster with the T3x was 2" - minus the fliers...which occurred at a rate to 1-2 per 5 shots. I decided the inspect the gun thoroughly during cleaning and found the following:

1) A very slight radius midlength on the barrel. Likely a machining error that got past QA. But the stamp on the barrel and the receiver did not - ironically.
2) I slid a bill down the barrel between the stock and it stopped 3-1/2" in front of the receiver.

Needless to say, I am very disappointed. Tikka advertises a floated barrel - it is not. Tikka advertises 1MOA - it does not....and really cannot with a non-floated barrel. Floating a barrel is a fundamental element in building ANY accuracy into a rifle... Let alone guaranteeing it. At what point are we embarrassed? I know I certainly am. For being so duped.

So to end this Epistle. Look a little further than the typical paid inclusions and endorsements from the usual suspects. Chuck Hawks and Scoutlookweather to good job of getting under the hood of this issue.
I'll repost when we reach a final disposition on the matter. Until then - be careful.

You realize this thread is over 10 years old, right?

What does sliding a dollar bill between the barrel and stock tell you?

From that first post of his on here and what was stated I'm of the opinion that he doesn't know much about what he's discussing!

One of my old bosses called moments like these, "teachable moments."

+1

Accuracy, repeat-ability & reliability is everything !!!