TIKKA T3X TACT A1
Tikka tactical tack driver
TIKKA is well-known for manufacturing dependable, accurate and high-quality rifles. With sport shooting, and especially long-range shooting taking the world by storm, in 2020 Tikka launched the Tikka T3x TACT A1 to fill the void in their line-up.
The barrelled action is housed in an aluminium chassis specifically designed for the Tikka action, of which the centre section is made of a solid aluminium block, housing the action, trigger and magazine. The side-folding stock and M-lok fore-end are attached to the block with screws. The chassis obviates the use of a floorplate or bottom metal, resulting in a stronger design.
The grip is typical AR-15 type and replacements are easily fitted. The test rifle was fitted with an aftermarket grip from a Victrix rifle, which is bigger than a standard Ar-type grip and afforded my big hands better purchase.
The adjustable Kydex cheek-piece has 34mm of travel, which should be enough for most scope heights or body shapes. The design, using two tightening screws, allows for the cheek-piece to be angled horizontally. This is useful when recoil is a problem; you can angle the front of the cheek-piece slightly lower than the rear, ensuring the cheek-piece moves away from your cheek during recoil.
Spacers are included with each rifle to adjust for length of pull. The spacers are angled, affording pitch adjustment options. Two screws transfixing the buttpad hold the spacers in place. By removing the screws more spacers can be added.
The butt-pad is made of soft rubber, 23mm thick and height-adjustable by means of a single screw in the middle of the pad. The toe of the stock is fitted with a short Picatinny rail, mainly to fit a rear monopod. Two rings, left and right, can be used for rifle belts.
The stock can be folded by depressing a button on the stock behind the bolt. The folded stock does not lock into place as on some other designs. Folding the stock permits removal of the bolt without the need to lower the cheek-piece, and affords easier transport and storage.
The front-end employs the M-lok attachment method and comes fitted with a full-length Picatinny rail (35cm long). Beneath the front-end a short rail facilitates attachment of a bipod.
The action is fitted with a short Picatinny rail and the receiver has a widened angular ejection port. Feeding a cartridge through the ejection port on an