Hi Folks, as a way of an introduction I thought I would do something I have always wanted to do. Revue a firearm my way! So here goes.
I bought this rifle about a year ago and have fired about 1800-2000 rounds. The main reason I bought it was because of statements that the rifle they had just bought turned into a “real shooter after a trigger replacement”, what? A brand new rifle and you should replace the trigger for better performance. I didn’t run across the “replace trigger” with tikka brand while trying to figure out what to buy.
It turns out I did replace a trigger spring. The factory trigger is super sweet adjusting from 2 lb. To 4lbs. Using a spring from a gun spring set I bough years ago the range is now 8 oz. To 2 lbs. I like a 18 oz. “feels like glass” trigger and that is what I’ve got. I see these trigger springs for sale on the internet for around 10 bucks. A good hardware store will have what you want for far, far less it’s just a small coil spring. Please use suitable caution after all it is the trigger, make sure its safe!
The Rifle,
6.5 Creedmore, color matte black, almost a 24” barrel, folding stock that is fully adjustable
Scope is a Vortex Strike Eagle 5x5x56 mil. dot FFP, Vortex mounts, bipod
All up weight is at 14.75 lbs.
My take of Tikka T3x Tact A1,
A silky smooth action, up/down and back and forth it’s so smooth I sometimes smile when going for speed. I’m a “spazz” sometimes when working the bolt even I can’t make it bind up and on top of that I’m still waiting to have a case that will not extract. So far Zero, mechanical problems. (after mag spring rebend)
The barrel is hammer forged and from what I gather (read)should last a little longer that some other cartridges. I’m hoping for 2500 to 3000 or more rounds before it stops shooting better than I can hold it. I’m still playing with different powders, bullets, chasing the one hole group. This rifle is pretty forgiving in that it shoots most everything MOA of better. Using loads shown to shoot well out of this rifle it will hold 20 rnds. @ .7 moa with 90% @ .5 moa, the rest is up to me as the shooter. These results are at 600 yards. Your mileage may vary this is how your rifle shoots.
Pro’s, Out of box better than 1 MOA, (in fairness there are several makers out there that build rifles that will shoot as straight for less money.
I could ask for a better, smoother action but how do you improve on an action that is already so smooth it’s a delight use.
The factory trigger breaks like glass and it’s usually a surprise when it goes off.
Folding stock reduces overall length 11.5”
Nice matte black finish easy to maintain.
Con’s, the folding stock, when folded up can cause metal to metal contact between butt pad and receiver. My brand new rifle came out of the box with a small chip in the finish on the receiver from this problem. I put a small stick on bumper pad on the butt plate to solve the problem but I was far from happy with a chip in the finish on a new out of the box $1850.00 rifle. Yes, I know it doesn't make it shoot a bit different.
Extra mags for this rifle run around $100 ea. Yes Sako is real proud of their mags and they work great as long as you take the new mag apart and give the spring a work over (bend)for more lift at the bullet end of the mag. Other wise long reloads can and will take a nose dive and not want to chamber. Once modded, flawless operation.
This rifle (and tikka brand) have “slow” barrels, I knew this from research so it was no surprise. What was surprising was how much slower. The Tikka barrel is 23 ¾” or so, I have a 20” HB Savage bolt gun that shoots the same loading's the same speed (close) as the longer barreled Tikka? Beats me why just is.
Last and this is not really a con, the “lead”(sp) in the chamber is really long (case mouth to rifling lands and grooves distance) I can’t kiss the lands with the bullet and still keep the cartridge short enough fit the mags. You will jump the bullet and it may not be a short jump .070 or so. I had always thought big distances from the lands didn’t shoot as good as closer if not outright kissing the lands did. I was wrong find the right jump distance and it doesn’t seem to make any difference in accuracy.
As you might have gather by now I really like this rifle. I did quite a bit of research before making the purchase and so far I have been not been unhappy in the least. It shoots better than I can hold it and when I miss I just can’t blame the rifle! Darn it.
Lastly but most important of all! I hang a Santa Claus hat on the 600 yd. backstop along with the wind flags to remind me any day shooting long range is just like Christmas morning with the kids and the rest of the gang!
Yup! I would recommend the Tikka T3x Tack A1 it’s a well thought out precision rifle.
GreenFal
I bought this rifle about a year ago and have fired about 1800-2000 rounds. The main reason I bought it was because of statements that the rifle they had just bought turned into a “real shooter after a trigger replacement”, what? A brand new rifle and you should replace the trigger for better performance. I didn’t run across the “replace trigger” with tikka brand while trying to figure out what to buy.
It turns out I did replace a trigger spring. The factory trigger is super sweet adjusting from 2 lb. To 4lbs. Using a spring from a gun spring set I bough years ago the range is now 8 oz. To 2 lbs. I like a 18 oz. “feels like glass” trigger and that is what I’ve got. I see these trigger springs for sale on the internet for around 10 bucks. A good hardware store will have what you want for far, far less it’s just a small coil spring. Please use suitable caution after all it is the trigger, make sure its safe!
The Rifle,
6.5 Creedmore, color matte black, almost a 24” barrel, folding stock that is fully adjustable
Scope is a Vortex Strike Eagle 5x5x56 mil. dot FFP, Vortex mounts, bipod
All up weight is at 14.75 lbs.
My take of Tikka T3x Tact A1,
A silky smooth action, up/down and back and forth it’s so smooth I sometimes smile when going for speed. I’m a “spazz” sometimes when working the bolt even I can’t make it bind up and on top of that I’m still waiting to have a case that will not extract. So far Zero, mechanical problems. (after mag spring rebend)
The barrel is hammer forged and from what I gather (read)should last a little longer that some other cartridges. I’m hoping for 2500 to 3000 or more rounds before it stops shooting better than I can hold it. I’m still playing with different powders, bullets, chasing the one hole group. This rifle is pretty forgiving in that it shoots most everything MOA of better. Using loads shown to shoot well out of this rifle it will hold 20 rnds. @ .7 moa with 90% @ .5 moa, the rest is up to me as the shooter. These results are at 600 yards. Your mileage may vary this is how your rifle shoots.
Pro’s, Out of box better than 1 MOA, (in fairness there are several makers out there that build rifles that will shoot as straight for less money.
I could ask for a better, smoother action but how do you improve on an action that is already so smooth it’s a delight use.
The factory trigger breaks like glass and it’s usually a surprise when it goes off.
Folding stock reduces overall length 11.5”
Nice matte black finish easy to maintain.
Con’s, the folding stock, when folded up can cause metal to metal contact between butt pad and receiver. My brand new rifle came out of the box with a small chip in the finish on the receiver from this problem. I put a small stick on bumper pad on the butt plate to solve the problem but I was far from happy with a chip in the finish on a new out of the box $1850.00 rifle. Yes, I know it doesn't make it shoot a bit different.
Extra mags for this rifle run around $100 ea. Yes Sako is real proud of their mags and they work great as long as you take the new mag apart and give the spring a work over (bend)for more lift at the bullet end of the mag. Other wise long reloads can and will take a nose dive and not want to chamber. Once modded, flawless operation.
This rifle (and tikka brand) have “slow” barrels, I knew this from research so it was no surprise. What was surprising was how much slower. The Tikka barrel is 23 ¾” or so, I have a 20” HB Savage bolt gun that shoots the same loading's the same speed (close) as the longer barreled Tikka? Beats me why just is.
Last and this is not really a con, the “lead”(sp) in the chamber is really long (case mouth to rifling lands and grooves distance) I can’t kiss the lands with the bullet and still keep the cartridge short enough fit the mags. You will jump the bullet and it may not be a short jump .070 or so. I had always thought big distances from the lands didn’t shoot as good as closer if not outright kissing the lands did. I was wrong find the right jump distance and it doesn’t seem to make any difference in accuracy.
As you might have gather by now I really like this rifle. I did quite a bit of research before making the purchase and so far I have been not been unhappy in the least. It shoots better than I can hold it and when I miss I just can’t blame the rifle! Darn it.
Lastly but most important of all! I hang a Santa Claus hat on the 600 yd. backstop along with the wind flags to remind me any day shooting long range is just like Christmas morning with the kids and the rest of the gang!
Yup! I would recommend the Tikka T3x Tack A1 it’s a well thought out precision rifle.
GreenFal