Tikka Bottom Metal Troubleshooting Tips

We received a video from a customer having issues with their Tikka T3x Billet Bottom Metal. After working hard to duplicate the issue remotely, we wanted to share the solution with everyone since this is a common Tikka issue.
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Disclaimer:
Do not attempt any of the processes or procedures shown or described in this video or on this channel.
Do not attempt to repair or modify any firearms based on information found on this channel or in this video.
Gunsmithing procedures should only be performed only by a licensed gunsmith.
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By watching this video in whole or in part, you agree that you alone are solely responsible for your own safety and property as it pertains to activities, procedures, techniques, or practices described in whole or part on this channel or in this video.
You alone are responsible for the safety of yourself and your property.
Check local and state laws before undertaking any activity involving possessing, transporting, and shooting firearms. Check local and state laws before attempting to load ammunition or perform any modifications to a firearm. Always abide by the law. Always practice gun safety.
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[@gregb.6682]

Your informative guidance on reassembling the Tika has helped me become comfortable and confident with this awesome rifle. Thank you.

[@mountaintacticalcompany]

Thank you for the feedback! I remember how nervous I was the first time I took my rifle apart. My goal with this content is to give others confidence to take on these challenges. Your feedback helps a ton!

[@HoffnerPrecision]

Sounds like the customer needs a new “gunsmith”.

[@1valg]

Great video! This will no doubt help a lot of customers as well as your customer support. Win win 👍

[@mountaintacticalcompany]

Most definitely!

[@brettbateman8259]

Great video

[@mountaintacticalcompany]

Thank you!

[@RandyMan388]

We all know Tikka rifles are great. Thanks for your videos always packed full of useful information. Take care.

[@mountaintacticalcompany]

We’re a little nuts about Tikkas, haha!

[@richcotte]

Great information as always! I’ve made the mistake of not seating the lug a few times.

[@mountaintacticalcompany]

So have I. It’s actually too easy to do.

[@jamesmooney5348]

Great video! Thank you!

[@mountaintacticalcompany]

You are welcome!

[@KenpInmd]

Thank you .. I have the exact same issue..

[@mountaintacticalcompany]

Let us know if this does not fix it.

[@johnandrosemarywyatt977]

Excellent......as usual

[@mountaintacticalcompany]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@rosscarlson7178]

Thank you sir, much appreciated!

[@mountaintacticalcompany]

Very welcome!

[@rosalindstewart7013]

Thanks buddy ✌️

[@mountaintacticalcompany]

Any time!

[@bertcremers3134]

Big thanks to you, this makes sense, I also encounterd a problem with my Tikka T3X CTR regarding the recoil luggs when changing the factory stock to a GRS Bifrost. Also hate the rattling steel magazine when hunting, can't replace this cause no other magazine fits besides Tikka's own 😤

[@mountaintacticalcompany]

How do you like the Bifrost? A thin layer of masking tape will get rid of the rattle without causing any issues

[@bertcremers3134]

@@mountaintacticalcompany Hi there, thanks for the tip, I will try that. I like the stock a lot, it is a heavy bulky set but verry stable. I like to stalk a lot and always use shooting sticks. I also have the Berserk for .223 (Bifrost for 308). Friend of mine has a lot of trouble with GRS and got rid of them (several cracked aluminium stocks with Blaser .338 LM). Again thanks for your fast response.

[@mountaintacticalcompany]

We only had issues with two laminate stocks. I have two Bolthorns and have mixed feelings about them. The Berserk is one of the best values in my opinion. I haven’t shot the Bifrost, but it has my eye!

[@wrigman]

I have the same issue with your gen2 aluminum magazine in my new T3x. I will try your suggestions and hope it works. I have a cnc machined bottom metal. It’s not yours, but the one from Oregon. My stock mags work well with this bottom metal.

[@mountaintacticalcompany]

The bottom metal does not hold the magazine in the rifle, the magazine retention spring does. Make sure that is in spec since the rigidity of the aluminum requires everything to be in spec.

[@wrigman]

@@mountaintacticalcompany the rifle is going on the Vice right now………. Get back to you when I get done.

[@mountaintacticalcompany]

Contact the shop directly. We cannot gunsmith over KZbin.

[@wrigman]

OK, the retention spring in the back WAS slightly out of speck. Don’t know how, I never touched the screw that holds the trigger and spring. I did loosen it up and pulled the spring as far out as I could. I held it straight with a paper of soft jaw pliers as I tightened the screw. I’m still having the same problem with the mag. Don’t know why, but will get one of your bottom metals when they become available. The bottom medal from Oregon mountain rifles had to be shimmed at the front screw. Don’t like that I had to do that to get it to work with stock mags. Hope after that your mag will work……..

[@mountaintacticalcompany]

Strange that the bottom metal had to be shimmed…. The tolerance between the action and where the catch hooks into the notch on the action is tight. This is where most manufacturers mess up stocks or bottom metal. Does everything work with the factory bottom metal?

[@CPM_1975]

Do you ship to Canada? I have two rifles T3x Widelands 300wsm and a Super Varmit 300 win mag? Very informative video! Thanks, and have a great day!

[@mountaintacticalcompany]

We have a direct ship parts on our site. As long as you are not using a VPN, you’ll see what we can ship directly. Corlane’s and Calgary Shooting Center carry all our products in Canada

[@michaeldoyle5001]

Thanks for this! I found out that I didn't put my T3X back together properly. When will the single shot loading device be back in stock?

[@mountaintacticalcompany]

I am glad this helped! Sleds are waiting on molds. As soon as we have the molds, they will be back in stock very quickly.

[@larryalexander4833]

Hello I have your bottom metal for my t3,light. It is a nice piece but my only concern is the mag release tab sticks down and I'm concerned that I'll hit it and loose my mag. It has come out at the range by my shoot bag pushing it. Do you make a lower profile release tab ?

[@mountaintacticalcompany]

Hello! We have over 100k units running around the world and I have personally run these bottom metals in some of the worse conditions imaginable and have never dropped a mag. Our mag catch operates at a steeper angle than the factory unit so it takes more force to get it to release. Additionally, the mag catch has a double step so if it is accidentally bumped, the secondary shelf will stop the mag from releasing. Hopefully this makes sense. If it still concerns you, a gunsmith could easily alter it to your liking. Thank you for your business!

[@larryalexander4833]

@mountaintacticalcompany it has released while shooting off a bench .

[@mountaintacticalcompany]

Hmmm…. I’ve never seen this…. Is your mag retention spring adjusted correctly? Go through our bottom metal videos to see enduring that causes loose magazines.

[@mikegargiulo194]

What happens if I have this problem with my tikka t1x? Same fix? Obviously there is no retention spring on my 22lr, so what would cause all the play? I have Tikka 10 rd mags, NDR metal 15 rd mags, and other after mkt mags, but the tightest ones are the NDR. I guess I’ll check the recoil lug seating first, then the trigger housing seating. I did swap out the trigger spring, so maybe the trigger housing can be adjusted as well. Thanks for the video. If you can lmk if it’s the same fix for a T1X, I would appreciate it.

[@mountaintacticalcompany]

This odd a wild problem you are having. The T1x mags do not even touch the bottom metal or have a retention spring like you pointed out. There is an injection molded box screwed onto the action that holds the magazine in place. The first gen T1x has all sorts of problems with this system. After a couple years, Tikka finally fixed the ejection issues. What year is your rifle?

[@mikegargiulo194]

Bought it last year… 2023 brand new

[@mikegargiulo194]

I also added the bottom metal as well. Not sure if that helps …

[@mikegargiulo194]

I just got it last year. I don’t know what year it was made, but it was purchased new in 2023…

[@mountaintacticalcompany]

That’s really strange. There is something really wrong with your rifle if your mags are acting this way in a T1x

[@mikegargiulo194]

I’m going to take the action out and see where the problem lies. I’ll follow your video advice and see if everything is where it’s supposed to be… thank you again..

[@mikegargiulo194]

Ok, just tried every mag, and the wiggle room is in the sides, more so than the mush you talk about. I can lift the original 10 rd mag a little, but it stays in the action ok. I forgot to mention I added an extended msg release. Do you think that could be a problem as well?

[@mountaintacticalcompany]

If there’s mush in a T1x, my first thought is whether or not the plastic mag well is tight against the action.

[@mikegargiulo194]

It’s tight, as I checked that as well. I see the edges on the mags are showing wear…. Maybe I need to adjust the extended mag release ? Very frustrating. I’ll keep trying to take away variables one at a time…

[@pawpaw2361]

It’s plastic no metal

[@mountaintacticalcompany]

We make ours out of metal. The one in the video is metal.

[@lmbear]

The Mountain Tactical bottom metal is made of aluminum, so it is "metal". They are an excellent upgrade to the the T3/T3x Tikka rifles. I love mine. it works flawlessly, as you would expect..

[@mountaintacticalcompany]

Thank you for your business!

[@phild9813]

Yeah I’m up to 3 of them. Huge improvement if for no other reason than consistency in torquing the action screws. The factory “metal” is useless for this.

[@mountaintacticalcompany]

Thank you!