There are some things that are just absolutes. Water is always wet. Fire is always hot and the Tikka T3x is always one of the best rifles you can buy and provides incredible performance for the dollar.
In our first Ballisitc’s Best bolt action shoot-off back in 2018, we had a Tikka T3x Tac A1 on hand. It was my first time dealing with the brand in anyway so I didn’t know what to expect. We had some major players on hand for that head to head evaluation including a custom build from Surgeon rifles, an Accuracy International, and even more exotic a Victrix from Italy. The Tikka punched way above it’s weight class and delivered the second best group of them all with a .3 inch hole only bested by the Surgeons .25-ish, if I recall correctly. Minute details aside, the point is that the Tikka stood out. Way out in fact, among the others in a field of 10 rifles. How did it do it? With accuracy, flawless function that is a pleasure to tap into, and looks that were good enough at the time.
Enter The Tikka T3x Ace Target
The Tac A1 will always be formidable but it was getting long in the tooth. The quasi-LE/military tactical look was fine back in 2018 but should be reserved for the specific use category and no longer fits the bill for the common target shooter. That shooter needs more and Tikka acknowledged this with their latest variant(s), the T3x Ace Target and Ace Game rifles. We will be exploring the former.
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Before we get too deep in the woods, the Ace Target and Ace Game are the same rifle save for the barrel on Target version is a heavier profile with a two-stage trigger and the game has a lighter profile barrel and includes a single-stage trigger. Of course the action is the same and so is the chassis, so it just comes down to how hard you want to lean toward a particular level of performance. If you want focused target shooting with the capability of competing in dynamic rifle shooting competition, go with the heavier Ace Target. But, if you want the all-around approach and a weight and handling that will allow for hunting too, you may want to go with the Game.
If It Ain’t Broke…
There was never anything wrong with the Tikka’s action and I’ve always marveled at how they were able to produce something so smooth running and robust in feel in what is technically a lower-tier rifle. Better put, I’d consider it a budget rifle, one more accessible to the masses and a great starter rifle. But due to its design, it is one that you can grow into and build upon. I don’t know how long a Tikka action will last but it’s likely forever.
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The action is the same on the Ace, two lugs, 70 degrees of throw, save for the bolt that is now spiral-fluted, being quite handsome and providing what flutes do—keeping dirt and debris from hindering performance. The bolt it also coated with what I assume is a melonite coating of some sort. The action is smooth but with feedback. Again, I’m always amazed by how well these actions run. On top of the receiver is a necessary 20 MOA rail so you can shoot further with your magnified optic.
The barrel is a 26 inch, Varmint contour with a 1:8 twist. It’s also threaded 5/8×24 so you can immediately take off the thread protector and slap on a suppressor. If you don’t have one. Get one. That’s a discussion for another time. Originally I think the Ace Target was going to have a spiral fluted barrel—at least at SHOT Show it was a thing. But me thinks it was likely one of those options that seemed cool at the time but more difficult in execution. I’ve scoured the site and looked at the different models but can’t seem to find that barrel option anywhere anymore.
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T3x Ace Target Chassis & Stock
Again, not much has changed with the action but boy, the chassis has changed and is without a doubt the part that takes the the Ace Target up several notches on the ladder of performance. The chassis is now modular with several points of adjustability so that the shooter can tailor it to his or her needs.
The stock is skeletonized and has spaces to add weights and Tikka makes their own weights as an optional accessory. The cheek piece has quick adjustment thanks to a nice sized spring-loaded button and a preset feature— it allows you to limit movement so you can get it back to the perfect spot every time. To add length of pull you’ll need to do some wrenching and add spacers, though. A hand hook is also included as well but I opted to change that out with the Tikka branded bagrider, which is yet another accessory they’ve created for the Ace chassis.
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The pistol grip is adjustable for angle and fore and aft movement to get you closer to or further from the two-stage adjustable trigger. This grip is well designed with good size and shape with comfort to match. It mates up well with the adjustable thumb rest, that is ambidextrous.
Modularity
Modularity is the key term with the Ace chassis and it’s made evident in a magwell that is modular and interchangeable, allowing you to run single stack or double stack style magazines. The Ace Target comes Tikka 10-round double-stack metal CTR magazine.
The chassis continues to impress with it’s 15-inch forend, crammed with seven M-Lok slots on either side and the bottom, and QD cups all built in. One of the greatest errors you can make with the chassis is having a forend that is too short. Tikka did their homework and avoided this mistake. They even made the forend RRS Dovetail Standard compatible (some will say Arca but they are not the same) with R-Lock compatibility as well making this platform ideal for maximizing bipod and tripod performance.
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The dry weight of the Tikka is a claimed 10.6 pounds and I have no reason to doubt their claims as they are very thorough on such specs. With optic, the Burris XTR PS and Atlas bipod the Tikka topped out at 14.80 pounds. Not bad but not enough for a serious target rifle. So I added Tikka’s forend weight kit, their stock weight kit, added their option short bag rider, and even their optional NV rail to add more rigidity to the chassis. Having such a rail or top cover that secures over the barrel always improves feel of the rifle under recoil.
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Range Work With The T3x Ace Target
The T3x Tac A1 was an absolute pleaser to shoot and again, this Ace Target is no different—only better thanks to this chassis. It’s proper like a target rifle should be and comfy to boot. Just lay down behind it, relax and do your thing. The action is smooth, with zero binding or hiccups. With the NV rail attached I do wonder how much more rigidity it adds to the platform, but that’s just speculation. The rifle delivers.
At the risk of sounding cliche—accuracy comes standard with the Ace Target. I shot a few different loads and while I don’t feel like rifle stability was at its max due to the bipod they all shot sub MOA. The best group came from Berger’s 140 Hybrid target at .61 inches. I even shot a .36 inch group with a flier that made it .8. But the .3 sized group is what I fully expect as the norm from the Tikka.
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At distance the Tikka really gets to shine. Range the target, dial up the DOPE, and press. Watch for impact, listen for feedback. Confidence comes with the territory and even better than that, you can smile knowing you didn’t kill your family’s savings to acquire such good therapy. Sounds a little cheesy I know, but the Tikka is just that way and makes me wonder if you need anything more. $1,899 for the basic black version you see here. Not much to spend to be a precision shooting rock star.
Final Impressions
Is the Tikka Ace Target perfect? No. The spacer system for adjusting LOP is a pain in the rear or maybe it’s just smarter than me. Their mags still have this weird super sharp point on the lip that can ruin a fun moment too. But it’s good enough that I don’t have any really serious complaints. If you handed me this rifle and said go be a good shooter, I’d have no issues and I wouldn’t fight you about it. No lefty is available yet but one will be. I’ll likely indulge when that comes to fruition.
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