Some take aways after struggling with a tikka barrel. I have tried several different methods over a period of days, and I understand what works now. There really is a process and if you don't follow it there will be a struggle, or worse, a broken action and or marred finish. Follow this and you probably won't have to do a relief cut. I know there are some threads on this but here you go anyhow.
1. have the correct tools for the job. I would not rely on an internal action wrench, try to get a hold of an action wrench like the wheeler #1, that has a big flat area to grab lots of surface on the Tikka actions. a rubber or plastic mallet is a must. The addition of a cheater bar and barrel vise are going to be key. Get some powder resin, this will be important for the barrel vice to get the right amount of grip.
2. Take your time, meaning get things set up correctly. Use some WD40 and shoot plenty of it around the inside of the barrel where it meets the action, let the barrel sit for a day or two with the barrel pointing down so the oil sinks into the action threads. It will penetrate given enough time. This stage is crucial as the oil will allow the threads to break free. This step will make your life a lot easier, trust me.... once I had my action free I could see the oil had penetrated all the way through. Prior to this step it was nearly impossible getting the action off.
3. Use a generous amount of resin inside the barrel vise surface, and make sure to tighten the barrel vice down with as much force as possible, it must be very tight, as tight as possible. A little painters tape or even duct tape on the contacting surface might help prevent some marring, but if done correctly marring will be avoided.
4. Once barrel is in vice and action wrench is torqued on to action, try torquing the action off, some good taps from a mallet on the action wrench where it meets the action while working the action wrench handle will provide some shock to knock things loose. Do not go with powerful whacks, this is over doing it. If the action is not budging try this with the addition of a cheater bar. If the barrel is rotating in the vice, it's too lose and needs further tightening. If it's tight and you follow these steps the action/barrel will separate.
Good luck and may the Schwartz be with you!
1. have the correct tools for the job. I would not rely on an internal action wrench, try to get a hold of an action wrench like the wheeler #1, that has a big flat area to grab lots of surface on the Tikka actions. a rubber or plastic mallet is a must. The addition of a cheater bar and barrel vise are going to be key. Get some powder resin, this will be important for the barrel vice to get the right amount of grip.
2. Take your time, meaning get things set up correctly. Use some WD40 and shoot plenty of it around the inside of the barrel where it meets the action, let the barrel sit for a day or two with the barrel pointing down so the oil sinks into the action threads. It will penetrate given enough time. This stage is crucial as the oil will allow the threads to break free. This step will make your life a lot easier, trust me.... once I had my action free I could see the oil had penetrated all the way through. Prior to this step it was nearly impossible getting the action off.
3. Use a generous amount of resin inside the barrel vise surface, and make sure to tighten the barrel vice down with as much force as possible, it must be very tight, as tight as possible. A little painters tape or even duct tape on the contacting surface might help prevent some marring, but if done correctly marring will be avoided.
4. Once barrel is in vice and action wrench is torqued on to action, try torquing the action off, some good taps from a mallet on the action wrench where it meets the action while working the action wrench handle will provide some shock to knock things loose. Do not go with powerful whacks, this is over doing it. If the action is not budging try this with the addition of a cheater bar. If the barrel is rotating in the vice, it's too lose and needs further tightening. If it's tight and you follow these steps the action/barrel will separate.
Good luck and may the Schwartz be with you!
