Author Topic: Single shot adapters (Read 2500 times)

Nobade · « **on:** April 22, 2011, 03:40:12 PM »

Today I whittled out a single shot adapter for my Tikka 695 on the mill, and it works great. It replaces the magazine, just throw the cartridge in the port and close the bolt. Now I know there isn't going to be any demand for 695s, but what about T3s? Is anybody currently making one for those rifles? Would anybody want one? It seems like a natural for varmint shooting or range work, not having to keep removing the magazine and reloading it. I don't see many T3s in the shop, and the ones that do are usually just in for muzzle brakes. But perhaps they are more popular in other parts of the country? What do y'all think?

usherj · « **Reply #1 on:** April 23, 2011, 03:36:12 PM »

The E arthur Brown company makes single shot/BR adaptors that simply sit on top of the existing follower, but not one for the T3. A piece that sits inside/on top of the existing mag would be great. Add a pic of what you made, I may be interested. Sitting single rounds on top of the mag follower it a dicey proposition - doesn't always work.

Nobade · « **Reply #2 on:** April 24, 2011, 03:08:54 AM »

Yep, the regular BR followers don't work with the T3 or any other detachable mag gun. I'll see if I can post a picture, but basically it looks just like the regular magazine except instead of feed lips it is straight on top. Since the Tikka doesn't have to slip the round under the extractor like a Mauser, the top can be very simple - just a ball mill cut to allow the bolt to close and not hit the adapter.

Chromie · « **Reply #3 on:** May 15, 2011, 06:29:03 AM »

I would be interested in a single shot adapter for my Tikka T3 in .223

Nobade · « **Reply #4 on:** May 16, 2011, 04:51:55 AM »

When time allows I am going to get with the boss and see if he is interested in coming up with adapters for the T3. The latch works differently than it does on my older Tikkas, and I need to see what is going to be involved in making one for those rifles. Give me a shout back by PM in a month or so and we'll see what has happened. If I can make them for a reasonable price I think they'd sell.

oberhaz · « **Reply #5 on:** May 16, 2011, 11:22:11 PM »

Sorry if this is a dumb question. But why do you need one? I've got a T3 & when at the range I just leave the clip in empty & open the bolt set a cartridge in close the bolt & fire. It's very easy to do.

Nobade · « **Reply #6 on:** May 17, 2011, 02:41:56 AM »

A lot of them don't. Depends on the caliber and bullet shape, but my .223 was darn near impossible to load without feeding through the magazine. I'd imagine magnums would be a lot better, bigger hole to hit.

Chromie · « **Reply #7 on:** May 17, 2011, 06:05:59 PM »

Quote from: Nobade on May 17, 2011, 02:41:56 AM

A lot of them don't. Depends on the caliber and bullet shape, but my .223 was darn near impossible to load without feeding through the magazine. I'd imagine magnums would be a lot better, bigger hole to hit.

same here.

OK hunter · « **Reply #8 on:** May 20, 2011, 01:04:57 PM »

Please post a photo as I would also be interested in one for the 223.

Nobade · « **Reply #9 on:** May 21, 2011, 04:35:29 AM »

Funny, last week I had a whole pile of T3s in the shop. Now that I want one to use for a model I don't have any. As soon as I get one of these adapters made up I'll post it here. Based on what I am hearing it might be a viable product to produce.

OK hunter · « **Reply #10 on:** May 22, 2011, 03:53:25 AM »

Do the T3's have any inherent problems or issues that you see frequently?

Nobade · « **Reply #11 on:** May 24, 2011, 02:53:58 AM »

About the only glaring weakness I see is the way they handle recoil. That soft aluminum recoil lug isn't too smart. The small caliber guns don't have much of an issue with it, but the hard kickers will shear the lug halfway through in no time, allowing the action screws to bear on the inside of their holes and start absorbing the recoil. At that point the accuracy goes to pot.

The older Tikka actions had a much more intelligent way to deal with recoil, and don't fail like this. But the newer one is way cheaper to make, so that got the nod. Otherwise, they are a great design. The bolt is slick, easy to dissasemble, good tunable trigger, great quality barrels, etc. Now that EGW is making a picatinny rail for them it's easy to mount a scope.

Stocks are an issue, most of the T3s I see have the plastic stock - not much that can be done about that. The wood one can be bedded, but you are still left with that aluminum recoil lug. Manners is now making stock to fit, I don't think much of the shape of his stocks but nobody can argue about the build quality - they are top notch.

That's about it - nothing is perfect, but T3s are way better than a great majority of the designs out there.

OK hunter · « **Reply #12 on:** May 24, 2011, 03:46:17 PM »

Thanks for the report. I have a T3 in .223 and another T3 that I had rebarreled to .257 Roberts. My last Tikka is a White Tail Hunter in .22-250. All are left hand bolts and shoot very well, probably better than I do. Need to get the Bob to the bench as I haven't broken it in yet.

Chromie · « **Reply #13 on:** May 27, 2011, 06:58:32 PM »

Quote from: Nobade on May 24, 2011, 02:53:58 AM

About the only glaring weakness I see is the way they handle recoil. That soft aluminum recoil lug isn't too smart. The small caliber guns don't have much of an issue with it, but the hard kickers will shear the lug halfway through in no time, allowing the action screws to bear on the inside of their holes and start absorbing the recoil. At that point the accuracy goes to pot.

have you seen this happen? I would think a steel recoil lug could be made to replace a wore alum one very easy.

Nobade · « **Reply #14 on:** May 28, 2011, 04:00:17 AM »

I've seen it happen on quite a few of them. Not sure a hard steel lug is a good idea though, I have never tried it but I would be suspicious of damage to the notch in the receiver it rides in. There is only a tiny area that it bears on, and a lot of force applied to it. Without some sort of redesign to spread out the load it might be a better idea to just keep replacing the soft lug every few hundred shots. I only see this on the magnum rifles, the smaller standard caliber ones will imprint the lug and then stop at some point. I have run into a few that had the lug sheared halfway through and strong imprints of the screws in their holes. 338 win mag usually. Most of the T3s I see in the shop are there for muzzle brakes anyhow, and that also stops this lug damage since the recoil is reduced so much.

Chromie · « **Reply #15 on:** May 28, 2011, 04:54:31 AM »

that's interesting, I had never seen that before. I got my first Tikka in .223 a couple weeks ago. I don't think this will be a problem I will face, but if I do I know the fix. Thanks

Nobade · « **Reply #16 on:** May 28, 2011, 02:21:10 PM »

Yep, no worries with a 223!

Chromie · « **Reply #17 on:** June 12, 2011, 04:27:30 PM »

any news on the single shot adapter?

Nobade · « **Reply #18 on:** June 13, 2011, 04:05:47 AM »

I am going to look into the practicality of making them for sale as soon as I get a T3 in the shop to fit one to. I haven't had any more come through since I first made the post on it but I am hoping to see one soon. The draw for elk just happened so folks should be getting their new rifles now and finding out their big new magnum needs a muzzle brake. Work like that usually picks up about this time of year...

If I decide they can be sold for a reasonable price I'll let you know here, or you can shoot me a PM and we can discuss it.

usherj · « **Reply #19 on:** July 29, 2011, 04:31:51 PM »

If you could get your hands on a magazine, you should be able to go from there. On my T3 lite in 338WM, I epoxied the lug into the stock recess when I pillar bedded it. No problems experienced at all. Maybe it reduced the amount of movement. One word of caution is to use grease for the rear bolt lug surfaces. The manual isn't specific, but the tag that came with the rifle said to add a drop of oil to the bolt lugs. This will not cut it over time - use a good grease (sparingly) like shooter's choice (red stuff) or moly silde from Neco. Trust me, my T3 6.5x55 started to enlarge groups last fall, and after verifying loads, seating depth, bedding, etc, I found the left lug was severly galled. I never understood the muzzle brake option - you won't be wearing hearing protection while hunting. There is a reason they aren't allowed in NRA competition. I would suggest saving your $ and getting a caliber you can shoot more comfortably. Take your pick: a mildly sore shoulder or acoustic trauma!

Ghostman · « **Reply #20 on:** July 31, 2011, 02:26:57 AM »

Quote from: Nobade on May 24, 2011, 02:53:58 AM

Stocks are an issue, most of the T3s I see have the plastic stock - not much that can be done about that. The wood one can be bedded, but you are still left with that aluminum recoil lug. Manners is now making stock to fit, I don't think much of the shape of his stocks but nobody can argue about the build quality - they are top notch.

Bell & Carlson now make a medalist stock for the T3 which is a BIG improvement over the tupperware factory stock. Shooter's Discount has them in stock for $235 shipped.

Nobade · « **Reply #21 on:** July 31, 2011, 05:00:09 AM »

That's good to know, thanks! I do like Medalist stocks, some of the best stocks for the money out there.