Tikka T3 223 Rifle - Missing Bolt

[Skoobie0000]

Hello again everyone. Have another post here asking for help identifying a 6mmx284 rifle and everyone was great. So I have another question.

Quick background my father passed last year and I'm finally getting around to selling off his bolt action rifles. I'm still in the 'gun newb' category so I'm hoping to get some advice on this particular rifle. It was the only one in his collection that didn't have a bolt. I'm not familiar with Tikka at all. He loved his 223 rifles and did a fair amount of varmint shooting as well as bench competitions. I'm not sure what this rifle was meant for but it looks unused. I tried googling around for a 'Tikka T3 223 bolt' but came up with zippo. Just references to complete rifles.

So whats the standard procedure in this situation? I realize a bolt-less rifle is worth significantly less. I'd be willing to purchase one if the price of the bolt was offset by the overall value of the rifle (probably making it easier to sell as well). But I can't find anything online about buying just the bolts. Any help would be appreciated.

Quick PS: Anyone know anything about the optic? Its pretty cool looking. Has almost a copper/iridescent coating over the top of the matte black powder coat.

 

[CMH]

Link to scope:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...us-illuminated-3g-223-ballistic-reticle-matte

Barska isn't known for high quality stuff, although some guys get passable results from them.

Given the shape that gun is in - that bolt is likely around somewhere. Gun safe?

 

[Skoobie0000]

Link to scope:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...us-illuminated-3g-223-ballistic-reticle-matte

Barska isn't known for high quality stuff, although some guys get passable results from them.

Given the shape that gun is in - that bolt is likely around somewhere. Gun safe?

Thanks for the reply. OK, scope just LOOKS fancy, got it. haha

As for the bolt, no. I've looked everywhere. There were several people helping clean out his house. I was there for all the gun and equipment removal and the only bolt we found that wasn't attached to a rifle was for the 6mmx284 rifle from the other post. It's confusing considering how new the rifle looks. I don't understand why the bolt would even be removed? Bah.

 

[SMK1000plus]

First and foremost, sorry for your the loss of your father.

The rifle is a Tikka T3. The bolt comes from the factory with a polymer bolt shroud. Have you checked with his gunsmith or perhaps local gunsmiths? He may have sent it out to have an aftermarket aluminum or steel bolt shroud installed, and had not picked it up or made arrangements to have it shipped back before he passed...

More likely, the bolt is/was at the house, possibly in the original factory rifle box, a range bag, range tool box, in his vehicle that he took hunting or to the range, in the gun safe, on his work/loading bench, in his loading cabinet, in the attic, on top of a kitchen/garage cabinet, in/under/behind his dresser drawers, tucked between his clothes, in a coat or hunting vest pocket, etc. It may have been in a box or something that has already been removed form the house...

Hope you find it.
Kevin

 

[SMK1000plus]

As for the bolt... I've looked everywhere. The only bolt found that wasn't attached to a rifle, was for his 6mmx284 rifle.

Where was the 6mmx284 rifle's bolt found? The answer to that question may give some indication as to his reason for removing the Tikka T3 bolt, and where he may have put it.

 

[Skoobie0000]

The other bolt was found in one of the gun safes. I've got all the safes and equipment in my garage. There were several duffle bags filled rather hastily but I'm pretty sure there aren't any bolts in them as I recently went through them all to sort out the ammo situation. I'll check again though. Keep in mind this all happened over a year ago. The house is long sold along with the majority of dad's belongings. Is was a bad situation with his live in girlfriend and a sketchy trust but I won't get into that. The bolt is probably just gone which I had already resigned myself too.

The question is how do I get a replacement and is it worth going through the time/effort/money since I plan on selling it anyway?

 

[cohunt]

I have seen quite a few internet posts about lost bolts from tikka rifles- I do not own one so I'm not sure but maybe he either lost it in the field or bought it bolt-less from someone else who lost it.
To buy a bolt usually is not worth it, they often cost close to the cost of the whole rifle and then they also need to be checked for proper head space for safety. I've seen other tikka t3's for sale for around $150 with out a bolt before.

 

[raz175]

The only place that I have been able to consistently find Tikka bolts is at Midwest Gunworks. Here's the link to the .223 bolt assembly - https://www.midwestgunworks.com/page/mgwi/prod/s1411306
Currently shows as sold out, but you may want to call them and see if/when they will get another shipment in.

 

[arch408]

Brownells can order one. They show a .308w for $340. Barska's aren't expensive scopes. If you got that bolt, you could rebarrel. I believe that Numrich wil buy buy it for parts. If it was mine, I'd unload it and use the proceeds to buy another rifle. I do my own work and parts alone would be at least $600. A gunsmith would probably charge you more than $300 to thread, chamber and fit. Or make a very unique floor lamp.

 

[Skoobie0000]

Not gonna bother with a rebarel. I've already got an Armalite AR-10 in 308. One 308 rifle is enough

Thank you for the link. I also emailed the Baretta customer service about the bolt so we'll see what happens. If the bolt was around $200 I was considering buying one but it looks to be significantly more. Didn't realize bolts accounted for half a rifles value, sheesh. May just have to sell it as-is. Kinda sucks cause I like the look of the rifle. Was considering keeping it.

 

[igorts]

is it bull barrel aka varmint version?

 

[Skoobie0000]

is it bull barrel aka varmint version?

I looked up the serial and it came back as a T3 Varmint 223. Manufactured around 2005.

 

[cohunt]

Brand new rifle would cost $600, new bolts are $350+ ish and then need to set headspace-- tikka wont sell you a bolt without sending the rifle to them to headspace it correctly

As I said, Ive found several like new t3x with missing bolt for $150, not worth buying a bolt in my eyes-- used t3's can sell for $400 if you find the right place.

 

[igorts]

T3 lite cost $600,
Varmints are in $900 range.
mine in .223 shoots in one hole at 100 all day long.