Tikka Problem

Jonty · 03-05-2008 10:13am #1

Alright lads, I've got a problem my T3 Tactical. I bought it back in January, and the bluing is coming off the barrel in flecks! Its started under the objective of the scope and its pretty bad there and working its way towards the muzzle. It looks scabby. Its not rust and in porno language "its lubed up to the max". I keep it in the safe with a remington dehumidifier, so moisture isn't a problem. Theres a stainless sako beside it and there's never any rust or moisture on it. Any idea what to do?

Rovi · 03-05-2008 10:27am

I'd say your first order of business it to bring it to the attention of the gun dealer from whom you purchased it (assuming you actually did purchase from a dealer), especially if it was purchased new.
This'll put your concerns in to the system in the event of a warranty claim.
I'd then start looking for other examples of exactly the same gun, to see if they are displaying that same symptoms.
Can you post some pictures here?

Jonty · 03-05-2008 12:16pm

Yeah, I purchased it new from a dealer. There's a 2 year warranty on both Tikka and Sako rifles. I'll post pictures on Monday, as I'm away for the weekend.

boc121 · 03-05-2008 12:42pm

Definitely bring it back just hope you did'nt get it threaded if you did the warranty is void.
Good luck with it.

pestshooter7 · 03-05-2008 12:57pm

You might be oiling it with a oil that is reacting to the blueing.
It sounds like there's a chemical reaction going on there.

Jonty · 03-05-2008 1:15pm

boc121 wrote: »

Definitely bring it back just hope you did'nt get it threaded if you did the warranty is void.
Good luck with it.

Tacticals are factory threaded.

As regards the oil, I use it on all my guns and never had a problem, I'm not saying you're wrong either.

bunny shooter · 03-05-2008 1:29pm

Jonty wrote: »

Tacticals are factory threaded.

As regards the oil, I use it on all my guns and never had a problem, I'm not saying you're wrong either.

Which brand are you using ?

Jonty · 03-05-2008 4:39pm

Its Kleen bore oil. The finish on the tactical is a "phosphorized" finish whatever that is. Its not really "blued"

meathstevie · 03-05-2008 8:05pm

Is that oil or a cleaning agent ? Forgive me my ignorance.

Jonty · 03-05-2008 8:29pm

No bother Steve, its an oil. I was just thinking if its a reaction between the oil and the finish why is it only under the objective.

foxshooter243 · 03-05-2008 8:32pm

Jonty wrote: »

No bother Steve, its an oil. I was just thinking if its a reaction between the oil and the finish why is it only under the objective.

you didnt get any birds blood on the rifle by any chance?

LCPL SWOFFORD · 03-05-2008 10:42pm

isnt that 'blued' barrel a special order from tikka, meaning its a regular barrel coated? maybe some kind of contamination in the chemical process

get your dealer to sort it as he will know as good as anyone on here

Jonty · 03-05-2008 10:56pm

foxshooter243 wrote: »

you didnt get any birds blood on the rifle by any chance?

No chance foxie

foxshooter243 · 03-05-2008 11:11pm

Jonty wrote: »

No chance foxie

you remind me of me;)

Jonty · 04-05-2008 9:02pm

foxshooter243 wrote: »

you remind me of me;)

Hows that foxie?

Well, I see it like this. Some lads would say I'm being pernickety, but I spent a lot of hard earned money on the tikka and I'd like it to be right.

foxshooter243 · 04-05-2008 9:05pm

Jonty wrote: »

Hows that foxie?

Well, I see it like this. Some lads would say I'm being pernickety, but I spent a lot of hard earned money on the tikka and I'd like it to be right.

im the same jonty i like to look after my gear;)

Jonty · 05-05-2008 9:57am

I'll post pics today lads.

Vegeta · 06-05-2008 8:42am

Yeah those tikkas are not "blued" its a kind of light grey matt effect from the coating.

Your scope cover isn't scratching it by any chance (I doubt it by the sounds of it) exposing metal that is not protected by the phosphorised coating.

It will be interesting to see pics of it.

rrpc · 06-05-2008 9:25am

Vegeta wrote: »

Yeah those tikkas are not "blued" its a kind of light grey matt effect from the coating.

Your scope cover isn't scratching it by any chance (I doubt it by the sounds of it) exposing metal that is not protected by the phosphorised coating.

It will be interesting to see pics of it.

I think 'phosphorised' is an Americanism. I'm hazarding a guess that the barrel is phosphated which in the case of the T3 is manganese although it can also be iron or zinc.

From what you are saying, I'd say the finish is crazing and flaking away from the metal underneath. this could be a reaction to something or improperly prepared surface of the underlying steel.

Phosphated surfaces are usually porous and are normally used as a pre treatment for further coating. Oil is one of the subsequent finishes applied (paint such as epoxy powder is another).

It's possible the kleen-bore you are using is lifting the phosphated coating. As the phosphate is porous, any oil treatment will go through to the base layer and a solvent may have the effect of 'lifting' the surface treatment.

You'd have to check which oil you are using and what (if any) ingredients may be causing the problem. If it's pure oil, you should have nothing to worry about, but any solvents or other additives may be the culprit.

foxshooter243 · 06-05-2008 12:25pm

i remember a thread o n an american shooting forum where they advocated the use of car polish to protect stainless and other barrel finishes...

Jonty · 06-05-2008 6:07pm

I can't get it to show up in photos. My camera is crap!! Yeah they're not blued as such but "parkerized" is the term for the finish. I'll borrow a mate's camera and see.

Grizzly 45 · 06-05-2008 7:03pm

If it is phosphated or parkarized finish and it is flaking like that.It is a improperly prepared steel part. They have to be totally grease free,and dry as well.Both of those finishes are/were Milspec finishes,and will take some abuse.Would say return to dealer.

Jonty · 08-05-2008 10:18pm

rrpc wrote: »

It's possible the kleen-bore you are using is lifting the phosphated coating. As the phosphate is porous, any oil treatment will go through to the base layer and a solvent may have the effect of 'lifting' the surface treatment.

You'd have to check which oil you are using and what (if any) ingredients may be causing the problem. If it's pure oil, you should have nothing to worry about, but any solvents or other additives may be the culprit.

What kind of oil are other Tactical owners using and was there any side affects?

Thanks loads for all your help.

Jonty · 11-05-2008 1:50pm

Well all.

I took Grizzly's advice and went back to the dealer with it. He just took one look and said "improper finish". He was dead sound about it, He's swapping it for me. Thank you all for your help

bunny shooter · 11-05-2008 1:59pm

Good after sales service

rrpc · 11-05-2008 8:22pm

Good outcome, glad that worked out for you Jonty.

dresden8 · 11-05-2008 8:25pm

Name the dealer. Good service is hard to find these days.

Jonty · 12-05-2008 8:11am

Paul Halloran, Drangan, Co. Tipperary. Couldn't have been sounder over it. He has the right attitude, - if I wasn't happy with it neither would he be. He said he wouldn't consider it as a flaw personally, as he said himself he could go in and pick out any rifle and use it, but he said its different for myself as its MY rifle and its only natural to want it to be flawless. (like myself - flawless):)

bunny shooter · 12-05-2008 6:23pm

Jonty wrote: »

Paul Halloran, Drangan, Co. Tipperary. Couldn't have been sounder over it. He has the right attitude, - if I wasn't happy with it neither would he be. He said he wouldn't consider it as a flaw personally, as he said himself he could go in and pick out any rifle and use it, but he said its different for myself as its MY rifle and its only natural to want it to be flawless. (like myself - flawless):)

I deal with Paul and this is exactly why. He is a genuine guy

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Tikka Problem

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