I ordered and received a Tikka T3 Hunter for my son. Bought it based on how smooth the bolt was on a friend's T3 and comments on the accuracy of the gun. Got it home and put the bolt in. Incredibly sloppy. It feels totally different from any of them I have handled so I call Beretta. The guy in warranty/gunsmithing tells me that the bolts are inherently sloppy and there's nothing wrong with it but if I want to send it in and have them check it out, I'm welcome to do so. All I've read and heard and felt is how smooth the bolt is and how close the tolerance is. He then tells me that the ones they made 10yrs+ ago didn't have the slop on them.
I would appreciate some feedback from members that have experience with Tikkas and can confirm or dispel what the warranty guy is telling me. Thanks

My tikka 3 lite---smooth; had it about 3 months.

I have two Tikkas purchased this year. Neither are sloppy in my opinion. They have wiggle room, but not sloppy. I've shot Savage for 20 years and they could be construed as sloppy. I call it clearance, they'll keep running when dirty, filthy.

The other end of the spectrum of very tight actions is Stiller. So tight that if you lift the bolt handle or lower it 1/32" it'll lock up like it's welded together.

Clearance is better.

This is loose to the point that it feels cheap and cheesy. The bolts that I've felt have had very little slop and have been very smooth. It was the main driver in me purchasing the gun. This gun feels like the bolt is not hardly touching the receiver. Almost like it is the wrong bolt for the gun. Then for the Beretta guy to tell me that it's normal didn't sit well with me. I've heard Beretta's support was not good but I didn't expect to have an issue to test it. He was not listening and just seemed to want me to send the gun in and make it someone else's problem.
I don't mind a little clearance but this just doesn't feel right.

My tikka t3 sporter has some wiggly but nothing lmajor

We can't tell by reading, sorry. No surprise on the customer service from them.

Shoot it. If it's accurate, don't touch it.

Where is it sloppy? When the bolt is open or when the bolt is fully closed?

It is normal for bolts to feel "sloppy" with the bolt all the way to the rear, meaning to have some movement. If it's too tight, then it won't slide forward as easy.

If you shoot it, you may change your mind on it!!

That's what I figure I'll do. Just hate to scope it and then maybe have to turn around and send it in. I guess I was hoping he would say gosh no, that gun has a really smooth bolt. Send it back and we'll take care of it.

Your smooth, his smooth, and our smooth may all be different.

My Tikka's have all been smooth as glass but do have some minor wiggle when fully retracted to the rear.

No, I know it's hard to describe on here but this thing has some serious play in it. All through it from back to front. It does lock but the play getting from open to closed is significant. I've handled other Tikkas and they are very nice and very different from this one. I know the only thing that really matters is when you shoot it but I'm disappointed with the feel. My expectations were higher. Maybe if the ones I'd handle didn't feel so good, this one wouldn't feel odd.

I would not shoot it. If it's sloopy compared to other tikkas then something is wrong. Possibly dangerously wrong. Send it back.

Before I sent it back, I'd go find a new one at a store or gunshop and see how that one and others felt.

Check the vin # make sure it's the right bolt ?

Based on what you describe it's not right and should not be shot. Sounds like the wrong bolt was installed at the factory. I would first take it back to where you purchased it from. If they are reputable they should either replace it or order another one. If not that they should make the contact with customer service and arrange to ship it back. By the way, the last 4 digits of the serial number should be electro penciled on the bolt. Check that first.

The serial number matches. I can't take it back as I bought from Kentucky Gun Co online. When I picked it up from my FFL I did not begin to think the bolt would be so bad so I did the transfer and took it home. I'd handled enough of them before and read all the good reviews so I was not concerned. My mistake. All the others I've handled have had very close tolerance and been very smooth. That's why I made the decision to purchase it. I am not going to fire it. I'm going to send it back and request that they replace it. If I fire it I think they will tell me to go pound sand. The rep I spokes with wasn't rude but certainly did not communicate to me how he wanted things to be right. Maybe if they get it back they'll swap it and I'll be happy. Right now I'm major disappointed in the gun and the customer service. I'd been warned about the customer service but I didn't figure I would need to rely on it, at least certainly not this quick. It's going back tomorrow. Thanks for the input!

PM me your cell # and I'll call you to set up a meet so you can take a look at my T3 SS/syn I bought in ummm '06 or '07, that came out of a Distributor in Waco called LM Burney via a dealer in Buffalo.

How far are you from Pottsboro? Sherman? Do you know where Steve Allen's place is over north of Bell's?
Ron