Tikka T3x Tac A1 Review: The Best Precision Rifle Under 2,000$?

Tikka T3x Tac A1 is one of the most exciting rifles launched in 2020. It is one of the most capable firearms that provides you with great value for the money. You can buy T3x Tac A1 at a comparatively low-price, ranging from US$1500 to US$2,000 (depending upon your choice of the cartridge).

With continuously improving manufacturing techniques, Tikka has brought a long-range revolution with the T3x Tac A1 Rifle. Prior to the Tikka T3x Tac A1, there were no options for a rifle capable of extreme accuracy and upholding the level of quality that Tikka requires while positioned in this price bracket.

It has quickly become the ultimate go to, long range precision rifle for many shooters all around the country. For many sports shooters, the new T3x TACT A1 Rifle series plays an important role. In terms of value for money, T3x TACT A1 is definitely the best-in-class. Let’s take a closer look at this rifle line so that you can understand whether it is worth buying.

Key Features

1. Trigger
The new Tikka T3x Tac A1 rifle comes with a two stage trigger that is also adjustable for pull weight.

2. Fore-end Interface
It has an interchangeable fore-end interface, 13.5” M-LOK fore-end, QD mounting, and rigid fore-end having optimal wall thickness (which prevents unwanted bending).

3. Modular Chassis
The manufacturer has incorporated this rifle with a modular chassis. Tikka T3x Tac A1 has an AR-15 stock, pistol grip, M-lok fore-end, and Tikka T3x stock interface.

4. Modular Stock
This new rifle system comes with a new modular synthetic stock having interchangeable pistol grips. The width of the stock’s fore-end can be changed, thanks to the additional attachment point that comes with the T3x synthetic stock.

5. Improved Grip
Tikka T3x Tac A1 has been incorporated with a new asymmetrical grip pattern and shape, which has been designed specifically to provide you with a solid grip in all conditions. The grip is now designed to be interchangeable to better fit the individual user, making it easier and more comfortable to shoot from certain positions.

6. New Recoil Pad
The new T3x Tac A1 rifle reduces the impact of recoil on the shooter, thanks to the inclusion of a new recoil pad technology.

7. Stock Noise Reduction
The stock generated noise in the new rifle is lowered by the inclusion of a foam insert within the interior of the rear stock.

8. Redesigned Ejection Port
Now it has become easier to feed one cartridge at a time with the introduction of a widened angular ejection port with the new T3x receiver.

9. Improved Rail Attachment
T3x Tac A1 rifles come with extra screw placements on top of the receiver, enabling you to attach a Picatinny rail robustly, even in case of larger scopes.

10. Metallic Bolt Shroud
The bolt body’s rear and the firing pin are covered and shielded by the metallic bolt shroud, making both quality and robustness go hand in hand.

11. Steel Recoil Lug
Tikka has incorporated an extra-strong steel lug, which has minimal deformation even with larger calibers.

Taking a Closer Look

Now that we know about the specialties of Tikka T3x Tac A1 Rifles, let’s check the different aspects of the rifle closely.

The chassis comes with a folding stock that has been machined from aluminum featuring an adjustable Kydex comb. You can fold the stock by depressing a small button located just behind the tang of the action. In fact, you can remove the bolt without having to move the cheek rest.

One of the best features about the Tikka T3x Tac A1 Rifles is its portability and storage. A 24-­inch barrel bolt-­action rifle along with a folding stock uses the same-size carrying case as an AR-15 rifle.

Two large thumb screws are used on the folding stock to hold the cheek rest in place. With proper tightening, the cheek rest remains very secure. Both the height and angle can be adjusted by the shooter with the help of two screws.

With the new Tikka T3x Tac A1, you can make significant adjustments as per your shooting style or preference. The cheek rest of your Tikka T3x Tac A1 Rifle can be moved slightly higher than the front. This will allow the comb to pull slightly away from the shooter’s face at the time of recoil.

Spacers are included with each rifle and you can use them for the length of pull adjustment. Tikka has offered two angled spacers so that you can make additional adjustments and fit the firearm properly. Two screws on the buttpad hold the spacers in place. However, when the screws are removed, you simply have to stack spacers to increase the length of pull.

Tikka has incorporated a height-adjustable buttpad, which can be slid up or down for an ideal position by loosening the screw in its center. As you raise the buttpad, the pad’s contact with the shoulder increases. This, in turn, diminishes the perceived recoil.

On the folding stock’s toe, the Picatinny rail sits, which mainly acts as a point of attachment for a rear monopod. The M-­Lok attachment method ( the most repeatable and strongest method said by the U.S. Army Special Operations Command) is used on the forend of the Tikka T3x Tac A1 Rifle.

Chassis

Actions must seat rigidly in either a chassis or stock so that it provides you with accuracy at a long-range consistently. The aluminum chassis of Tikka T3x Tac A1 Rifles is very strong. Even when the owner tightens the action screws or fires an extended round count at an accelerated rate, the aluminum chassis is designed to retain strength and resist flexing.

The foundation remains very stable when the action is bolted into a full-­length section of aluminum. It is ideal, especially for long-­range precision. A well-­designed, adjustable chassis makes it faster and easier to get a rifle to fit a shooter comfortably.

No Clones Action

One of the greatest advantages of Tikka’s new T3x Tac A1 is that there are no clone actions that share the same footprint. It doesn’t suffer from the insufficient support problem of the rear action screw, as seen in the case of the Chassis designed around Remington 700 actions.

Tikka has incorporated a solid aluminum block at the center of the T3x Tac A1 chassis, which carries out a lot of tasks. This central section acts as the foundation for the side-­folding stock as well as M-­Lok forend. It supports the action and also houses both the magazine and trigger.

Magazine

Tikka T3x Tac A1 Rifles use a magazine that is similar to the one used in the legendary SAKO TRG-­22 Rifles. The only difference between the two magazines of these rifle lines is the floorplate. On the T3x Tac A1, the floorplate has been modified. Therefore, you can’t use Tac A1’s magazine in the TRG-22 rifle.

The magazine of Tikka T3x Tac A1 is a center-feed, double-stack model. Though the magazines of both Tikka T3x Tac A1 and Accuracy International AICS can hold 10-rounds, the height of the Tikka is significantly shorter than the AI.

In general, the height of the magazine doesn’t matter to some shooters. However, when you are shooting from improvised field positions, it may become an issue. Tikka has successfully kept the magazine design compact.

The Barreled Action

Tikka has avoided both the traditional two-­lug bolts with 90-­degree throws and three-­lug bolts with 60-­degree throws and instead chose to go with their two-­lug bolt with a 70-­degree bolt throw in the Tikka T3x Tac A1 rifle. This bolt lift is very light and makes for fast cycling.

Another unique aspect of recoil lugs is that it sits inside the chassis and not between the barrel and receiver. The steel recoil lug inside the chassis protrudes into a groove located in the receiver. The action is put firmly in place by the square recoil lug because there is plenty of surface area, which has become possible because of the flat receiver.

The action and barrel have generous mating surfaces. This has become possible because the one-inch forward action screw hole in front of the receiver has been threaded to accept the barrel.

In the case of any other factory actions, the threaded portion of the receiver is usually much shorter. This means that they are not capable of supporting the receiver to a large extent, giving rise to accuracy problems in the case of heavy target barrels and long barrels.

Tikka rifles, on the other hand, come with a generous bedding surface under and around the forward action screw, providing excellent and very consistent accuracy. This aspect is especially commendable in Tikka T3x Tac A1 rifles because they provide you with amazingly consistent accuracy at a price that is half the cost of legendary rifles such as SAKO TRG 22.

Trigger Type

The new T3x Tac A1 rifles come with a very capable trigger. This two-­stage trigger perfectly fits the rifle and adjusts from 2-4 pounds. However, the best part is the crisp let off and the absence of creep, thereby enhancing the shooting experience. The trigger adjustment is simple and can be done by anyone at home. Just remove the barreled action from the chassis and then turn one Allen-­head screw. It’s that simple.

Models & Specifications

Bottomline

Tikka T3x Tac A1 Rifles are definitely one of the top picks for long-range shooting, especially if you are looking for a decent, quality shooting experience at a price that is half the price of legendary SAKO TRG 22 rifles. The T3x Tac A1 provides you with a sophisticated and affordable precision chassis design, coupled with low-profile and thoroughly vetted magazine.  All these features combine to provide you with a rifle line that can perform alongside other rifles that would cost your 2-to-3 times more. The Tikka T3x TAC A1 Bolt-Action Tactical Rifle comes with an innovative design that can adapt to a wide-array of environments. Whether you are a veteran long-­range shooter or just entering this hobby, this rifle line has a model that will work for you.