Third Tikka On Order

[bigblue]

I've got my third Tikka rifle on order. This time a S.S. synthetic in .270, a caliber that should fill in nicely between the .243 and the .30-06 Tikkas. Also ordered my fourth Ded-Nutz mount. Hard to beat those scope mounts. I'll have to post a group photo!
Don

[DocHolladay]

I like the .270. It is a great caliber and will do most of what you want.

[juliang]

Good job Don. I have 7 DNZ now, they really are awesome. I had a problem with my 308 last week. I had found a good load with COAL of 2.8", very accurate. What I didn't realise was that the bullet was really jammed into the lands and when I tried to remove the round it was stuck. I had to hit the bolt hard to get the round out. This left the bullet in the barrel, powder in the action and...... Broke the bolt release catch. The button is held in with a very small pin which sheared off. Thankfully I had my 243 with me as well.

[bigblue]

Julian,
I don't know why I bother buying any other bolt actions, you'd think I should know better by now.
I've done the same thing with overly long handloads, but luckily it was at the range. It does bring the shooting action to a halt until you can pop that bullet out and the powder makes quite a mess. Is that small pin that broke easily available? Might be a good idea to buy a couple just in case it ever happens again.
Don

[bigblue]

Doc,
I had a .270 in a Stevens 200 and it shot great groups, but I ended up selling all the Stevens and Savage rifles that I owned over an issue I had with my last Stevens 200 purchased in 7mm-08. My very first shot from that rifle, using Remington factory ammo, blew the primer right out of the case and exhausted the gases through the bolt vent. I had contacted both Savage and Remington, but only Remington responded. I ended up returning that rifle to the dealer for a refund and selling all my remaining Savage products. The dealer sent it back to Savage. In my mind their refusal to address a problem like that was unconscionable on their part and unacceptable on mine. I have heard of this same thing happening to others with the exact same rifle chambered in the same cartridge. I can only imagine that their lawyers advised them to ignore it.
Don

[GrampaJer]

Bigblue, Seems as thou their Lawyers would advise them to COVER IT UP. and ignore it, maybe it would go away. Problem is. a lot of Customers will go away after this post floats around awhile..

[bigblue]

I had always sang the praises of Savage's rifles for their accuracy and value for dollar and any company can have a problem with a product, but to ignore a problem like that just turned me against them forever.
Don

[GrampaJer]

Well" if they apologize, and give you a new Rifle, I will give them a second thought. I liked Savage too.

[juliang]

If you want the absolute worst in customer service look no further than Beretta. My newly broken 308 was purchased brand new almost 3 years ago. It managed to shoot a deer on one of it's first hunts. The magazine fell out, the front strap ring also fell out. Yes it had a bad stock. Did I mention it didn't shoot well either? Well, it went back to Beretta in Nov of 2006. I got it back in June of 2007. New stock and shooting well but........ Also they never returned emails, calls etc.
Maybe this is just an unlucky rifle..... but I'm keeping it and hoping for the best.

[GrampaJer]

Could be that they get too many emails, that clog the reply system.. As far as the Rifle goes. Shoot a nice BUCK with it, then trade it off...

[bigblue]

Julian,
I sure don't like the sound of that. You would think that making a great rifle was the hard part and customer service easy. The one thing that Ruger and Remington have over the rest is great customer service.

Don

[juliang]

Well Don, it doesn't get any better. I called Beretta, only waited for 25 mins on the phone as well. They do not sell the 30 cent pin, they sell the repair kit for $45!!! Yep, $45 and of course they aren't in stock. When I get the pin, I will measure it and get a dozen made just in case.
Why are Tikka distrubuted by Beretta?

[bigblue]

Dec 8, 2008 9:48:49 GMT -6 juliang said:

When I get the pin, I will measure it and get a dozen made just in case.

That sounds like a good idea. Is it possible for you to remove a pin from another of your Tikka rifles and get some made from that pins specs? What other parts came in the kit that included the new pin?

Dec 8, 2008 9:48:49 GMT -6 juliang said:

Why are Tikka distrubuted by Beretta?

I don't know the ins and outs of it, but it would seem like these overseas gun companies need to be in with a company that also manufactures guns in the USA in order to sell theirs here.
Well I haven't had a problem with a Tikka rifle yet and based on your experience I hope I never do!
Don

[bigblue]

I picked up the new rifle from my dealer on Friday. This is the first I've bought that included the rings. I'm still waiting for the Ded-Nutz mount from Midway, but I tried the Tikka rings and they weren't as bad as I expected. They certainly aren't near the strength of the Ded-Nutz mount, but I've seen a lot worse. I worked 34 hours over the weekend so I didn't get a chance to play with the rifle yet.
Don

[juliang]

Don, you make me sound like a dumbass! Unfortunately you are correct, I am. So, I removed the afformentioned pin from my 223 and it is gonna be a piece of cake to replace it for nothing. Just called Beretta to cancel my order, I was stupid to even have called them. Thanks for saving me. I am really tempted with a Weatherby in 257 Weatherby mag, they are on sale for $399.