I recently purchased a new 6.5 PRC Tikka T3X. I really haven’t had a chance to use it much but I was shooting it yesterday and noticed the magazine catches in the front and the rear seems to just hang freely. It moves up and down maybe 1/4” in the rear and will only catch and pull a round from the magazine if you push up on the rear of the mag when cycling. I can’t really tell how it is supposed to catch or if something is broken. Any ideas?

They spent money on a good barrel and action. They skimped on everything else including the magazines, stock, and the bottom metal.

Mine shoots great. I have nothing to complain about. That said, the OP’s mag looseness doesn’t sound right. If I think about it, I’ll go wiggle the mag on mine tomorrow. I think mine fits nice and snug.

Take magazine out and take a photo of the magazine well. Also what stock do you have?

Here is the mag. Looks normal to me. I am not home now but will take a pic of the mag well when I get there. It has a factory camo stock. I did take it apart to send the barrel off to be chopped so it is possible I put something together wrong?

Yes. Are you sure the action seated in the lug? It’s not necessarily easy on some stocks. Also the trigger should have a stainless spring mechanism hanging down.

I have to wonder how many guys bought one after hearing so much about them only to see all the plastic once they got it home.

I’m not sure. Anything is possible I guess but it shot really well. I had a half inch three shot group at 100 yards. I don’t know if it would shoot that well if the stock was on wrong. I will post pics later.

Here is a picture of the mag well.

I’m no help but I can assure you that is wrong. I’ve had many of that style Tikka magazine and never had that issue. I don’t currently have one like that to compare though.

To Dan this may be the first malfunction I’ve heard of despite all the plastic. I can’t say that about many brands of wood and steel. That’s owning a total of 10 tikkas over time personally familiar with dozens more.

Watching the video, looks like the rear clip is not engaging on the mag and only the front clip is holding the mag in place. Take a pic of the rear side of the mag.

Yeah, this isn't correct. Something isn't correct! It looks like the rear spring is there. I believe it's the shiny silver piece. I'll pull out a Tikka in a min and take a look and see if I can see anything different.

I have a T3X, RoughTech, and a T3. The rear clip has a slight bend, or lip on both of mine. It's a very subtle bend and hard to see. Open your bolt with mag out and look through ejection port. You can get a good look at the top of the rear clip where this lip is. I can't see clearly, but the rear clip on yours appears flat with no break for the lip. What do you see?

On my newest, the RoughTech I do have to give it a firm press going in and listen for the click to insure that it engaged. But it does work and holds the mag as intended.

Like mentioned above i have to give mine a firm press, usually just bump it with my hand to snap it in place. Still think with all the plastic im very impressed with Tikka rifles. Love mine.

Your retention spring is in the wrong position.




Rotate this piece to match my photo.

https://www.mountaintactical.com/shop/t3t3x-magazine-retention-spring


I re-looked at your picture. Your retention spring is facing the wrong direction! Take the stock off and loosen the trigger bolt and rotate your retention spring to look like my photo. You can see it in your photo turned to the left!

This is the back of the mag. I don’t see what anything is supposed to latch on to back there.

Nothing is wrong with the magazine. Take a look at my previous post.

X

Thank you! This was the problem. I just took it apart, rotated the spring, and now it holds the mag like it should. I had took apart four rifles and sent the barrels to be cut and threaded and must not have been paying too good attention to the details when reassembling them.

No problem! Glad it was an easy fix.

I might be in the minority but I like the tikka magazines and stocks. The stocks are stiff and don’t touch the barrel and the magazines feed flawlessly. My only complaint on the magazines is the limited length if you want to chase the lands. Plus they flat out shoot.

Glad you figured out your issue!

I had a magazine issue with my CTR when I first got it. Bent the follower spring a bit and that fixed it...was the first and last issue I've had from my Tikka in maybe 6-7 years of ownership. Only gun I'd really consider buying anymore. They're built well, accurate, and the end-user experience with the short bolt throw, smooth operation, and awesome factory trigger is second to none for a production rifle.

As an alternative if this happens to anyone else with a CTR, bend a very subtle lip to the top of the slot on the magazine catch. That's what I did.

There’s not a better rifle made right now at any price point. I like the Barrett Fieldcraft better but it’s not made anymore and it cost more. Those are the only rifles that always put 10 shots under 1.5 MOA with almost any ammunition. Sako finnbears/foresters are like that too but quite a bit heavier. I’d like to see tikka do a 7 twist 6 creedmoor and a 22 creedmoor. Probably won’t happen.