[Soonered]

Got a new Tikka T3X in 270 Winchester I'm starting to work on for a long range (400 yrd) deer and hog gun for next year. Working on prepping brass. Got 150 prepped except to skip turning the necks before I weight sort them.

Finally got around to getting the rifle out of the box and went to put the base on. Been avoiding this as that will make me want to shoot it...and I need to stay focused on brass prep first.

The base I got is a Leupold, new from bass pro. The screws don't seem to want to go into the receiver threads. The receiver has some sort of coating on it. Don't know if the coating is filled up the thread and a tap just needs to be run through or of if the screws with the Leupold base are wrong. Given this is a Finish gun, by Sako, maybe the screws with the Leupold base are wrong. I'm just parinoid to force them in and then having to have the receiver tapped to a larger screw.

Anyone know what screws should go in a Tikka T3X? The treads appear to be 40 on the Leupold screws but hard to tell. Anyone have a good way to tell what the holes in the receiver are tapped as? Or, have a tap to match the Leupold screws for me to see if all I need to do is clean out the receiver threads?

 

[DEADEYE 1]

If in doubt, back out.

• I think you can still get Sako and Tikka rings and base set.Does the screw threads have a red or blue color? I have seen some mounting screws that were pre-coated with a locking agent

 

[45flattop]

I'd call Sako if they have a stateside contact number after
contacting Leupold to determine what thread pitch / turns
per inch their screws have unless you have a gauge already
that can tell you. Failing that email them if there is that
option available to get the most clear CORRECT information
you can before anything gets attached; at least that way
you won't have done accidental damage that would be
costly to repair.

 

[Soonered]

If in doubt, back out.

• I think you can still get Sako and Tikka rings and base set.Does the screw threads have a red or blue color? I have seen some mounting screws that were pre-coated with a locking agent

The have the blue lock tight like stuff on the base screws but not where it interfers with starting the threads.

 

[Soonered]

I'd call Sako if they have a stateside contact number after
contacting Leupold to determine what thread pitch / turns
per inch their screws have unless you have a gauge already
that can tell you. Failing that email them if there is that
option available to get the most clear CORRECT information
you can before anything gets attached; at least that way
you won't have done accidental damage that would be
costly to repair.

I plan to call Leopold tomorrow.

 

[Soonered]

Found out the threads are 6x48.

Anyone know where I can get a tap around the Jackson metro area. My craftsman set does go down that small with that fine of a thread. I think some of the plastic from the hole plug is still in there. Brownells has them but I don't want to wait forever to get it. They have gotten very slow in the shipping in the past couple of years. Called a local gunsmith in Ridgeland and they wanted $45 to run a tap through it with it being over a week....crazy. I'll spend $50 on stuff at brownells with free shipping, get the tap plus other stuff and do it my self.

 

[DEADEYE 1]

Order from Brownells if you don,t find a place there. If you happen to drive to Meridian, take the first exit, 11 South and 19 North by airport. Go about 1/4 to 1/2 mile North, to the left and across from the Honda place is Henderson Bolt company. You can probably get taps there. I have bought various screws and things there, but I order my taps from Brownells or Midway. Order two or three at the same time, that is what I do, then in the future or if I break one, I have them.

 

[Quickeye]

If you can get it up here, I'll do it for FREE! While you wait right here and can watch!
Tapping of any sort is risky business because they are brittle and very easy to break from over torqueing or bending. I doubt you're going to be able to find anyplace, unless they deal with guns, to buy, borrow or rent a tap. Taps are plug, bottom or taper pointed, all for the same size hole and thread.
A number 6 cap screw (machine bolt) 48 threads per inch, National Fine Special is pretty much a standard size for scope mounting receiver holes.

 

[Soonered]

If you can get it up here, I'll do it for FREE! While you wait right here and can watch!
Tapping of any sort is risky business because they are brittle and very easy to break from over torqueing or bending. I doubt you're going to be able to find anyplace, unless they deal with guns, to buy, borrow or rent a tap. Taps are plug, bottom or taper pointed, all for the same size hole and thread.
A number 6 cap screw (machine bolt) 48 threads per inch, National Fine Special is pretty much a standard size for scope mounting receiver holes.

Thanks Quickeye

 

[Soonered]

I broke down and ordered a tap from Brownells.

Here is what I found out via an internet search.

I'm not the first to have this issue. It could be several things: 1) some plastic in the threads from the plugs that were in the holes, 2) sometimes the Tikkas are not threaded very well and need to be chased for easy threading.

BTW Tikka T3 changed from metric to English (6x48) sometime around 2003.

 

[Quickeye]

For what it's worth, if you break that tap in the hole, well I'll hear you screaming from up here.
To make sure you don't, if you were planning on using vise-grips to use as a tap wrench assuming you didn't buy one, Don't! Use side cutters or parallel jaw pliers that form a straight line with the hole, and use plenty of oil, even tho there's grease, plastic and oil in the hole, still add some fresh and keep tap and hole flushed. (That's one of the reasons for the flutes in the tap) Before you start, force a rag or paper towel into the empty(bolt removed) receiver to catch bits of whatever comes out the other end, and excess cutting fluid,(oil).
GO SLOW. It may seem simple and easy, but it's not. After a 1/4 turn, stop, back up and then proceed turning slowly another 1/4 turn, back up, repeat til through. May take awhile. If you encounter undo resistance, Stop, Do not force or tap will break. The whole time your doing this make sure the rifle is absolutely perpendicular to the tap and wrench. Clean up with Q tips and acetone, including the threads.
One last thing. The tap cuts both ways, so when thru the hole, unscrew the tap carefully so as not to mess up the threads you just cut.
May the solid carbide tap gods be with you.

 

[Soonered]

Thanks some good tips. I've got a tap wrench...no vice grips for me.

 

[DEADEYE 1]

It has been a long time. But nothing will teach you to go slow like a broken tap. And a good oil. Good luck.

 

[Soonered]

Unfortunately I've broken taps before but that was in an engine block or head, never a gun.