Tikka T1x - Nov 2021 Acquisition

[Hungry]

I’ve got time today to post up some impressions about my new Tikka T1x

Thanks for Bullseye North in London, ON for the sweet deal/transaction/sale/delivery with CPostC all around this Tikka T1x .22 LR and I happen to catch 3 spare 10 rounder magazines.

For those of you who don’t know, I run a Junior Program on Wednesday evenings, the same night as our club trap events so that both parents can take turns shooting trap and also coaching their kids on my firing line with my coaching guidance in the back ground.

When parents ask what to buy after their kids master their local Savage Rascal (I have one also , but I’ve mounted an EGW picatinny rail, ARMS #22 Throw lever rings, and a Vortex Dback Tac 4-16-44mm with EBR2 reticle in MRad. Wow that was a mouthful. The parents poop their pants when they hold my Savage Rascal next to their Savage Rascal. “Night and day, “ is their most common reaction. Yes….the optics make a world of a difference from their Traascho 3-9x-36mm hunting scope, mounted with cheap airsoft Zhinese 1” rings with ‘soft as dog shzt’ fasteners.

The kids then use my Savage Rascal to ring steel out to 100 yards and the addiction intensifies.

Fast forward to their next question, “What rifle should I consider next as the kids grow older/taller/lankier/ or more skillful??”

I always push them towards the Savage Mk2 or the CZ 457 family or the Tikka T1x. Now I’ve got BOTH the CZ457 mounted up in a KRG Bravo (FDE for cool factor). But today’s post is about the T1x






And the other side of the KRG Bravo CZ457 Synthetic that the kids and parents get to shoot…… Oh yeah, that’s an SAP Magazine holder for the CZ457 10 rounders (also fit 452, 453, 455) from Go Big Tactical in Prince George , BC. I bought my KRG Bravo and also the tool - less LOP kit (for $120) from Go Big Tac as well. Super sponsors of the ORPS/CRPS crew.





Mounted on top of the CZ457 Synthetic is an Athlon Talos BTR 4-14-44mm in FFP, and MRAD controls. Again more illuminated reticle features that I’ll never use. For those of you who don’t know I’m well looked after by Athlon AND Vortex optics so my parents get to use both brands on my firing line.




Okay, back to the T1X and my juniors…..


Here are some pictures and commentary:





Close up of the Athlon Argos scope from Wolverine Supplies 6-24-50mm MRAD controls, Iluminated reticle and FFP, of course. Lifetime warranty directly from Wolverine in Virden, MB
You will notice that the Butler Creek scope covers come WITH the Athlon Argos! Way cool!!




I’m using a Blackhawk or is it Eagle Brand?? Cheekpiece in FDE colours, I really like have OH-Shzt tools handy in the zippered pouch. I have not installed the 2032 - 3Volt battery at all. Never have much need for IR features for my daytime shooting.








I am really warming up to the medium heavy profile barrel since this rifle has a hunting “bias”. If one wanted a competition bias, then MDT in Chilliwackistan, BC makes an ACC and other Chassis models for the T1x. You gotta love cold aluminum on your skin. ha ha ha ha

The thread protector is plastic (good , bad, or indifferent) to cover up the 1/2” x 28 tpi threads.

The magazines are great. They kinda remind me of products from Magpul. That bottom magazine shape seems (my 14 year old junior tells me about his T1x) to be barricade and obstacle friendly. I also happen to like how plentiful spare .22 LR magazines can be found everywhere. That’s a good thing. I am encountering some concerns from my parents who all have CZ 457/455 rifles and have difficulty sourcing more 10 rounders in steel or polymer.

The plastic stock is …. Plastic, but T3 stocks and all their add ons are available and that’s a good thing. YES, the T1X has the identical footprint as do the T3 bigger rigs so you can find a used T3 stock and take advantage of the accessories, or in my case, that plastic buttplate is really a plastic affair and I prefer rubber, so I might be looking for a T3 stock soon.

OH, BTW, I’m a synthetic stock kinda guy since I do have a competition background at both provincial and national levels. Walnut is wasted on and old Phart like me since I’m always tripping and falling during November rifle (read: snow and ice and wet slippery leaves on rocks) season.

I added an MDT (Thanks to the MDT folks for a super design) 20 MOA rail from Rangeview Sports in Newmarket, ON. That addition was dead easy to install. Large Allen key screws/fasteners. Not the small and ‘soft as dog shzt’ pot metal screws from Xhina. Support Canuckistani Business, I say!

How’s it shoot? All depends on the ammo you feed it. Dancing around the 3/4” red dot by Staples Business Depot. All into an inch at 50 yards. Good enough for the girls I go out with! And that’s only ONE of them. Ha ha ha ha

YouTube is full of accuracy/shooting / grouping videos so I will let them take over. All I do know is that a parent in my JR Program shoots his MDT LSS chassis w/T1x and he’s dancing around and inside an inch at 100 yards. That’s gonna kill gophers for me when I carry out my gopher safari this summer out west to SK and AB! That’s the price point this old high school teacher can afford. Ha ha haha aha


Hope this helps you make a decision…. CZ457 or T1X??

Buy BOTH! That’s what I’ve got to say.


Peace Be The Journey!

Cheers, Barney

 

[Jefferson]

thanks for the write up

 

[The Kurgan]

I have both, and love both.

 

[Grantmac]

I recently acquired a T1X for ORPS production class, it hasn't even hit the range and I'm already a big fan. Seems to fit me very well and I'm certain the more upright grip insert plus a cheek riser will make that even better.
Owned Anschutz 64s, CZ455s in the past I much prefer how this platform feels.

 

[Paul_T]

I have 2 x 455 and a T1x. FWIW you can get a KRG Bravo for the T1x as well. Only downside to the T1x are the mags IMHO.

Here's mine kitted out with an IBI barrel and Sterk Bolt Handle in a Bravo chassis with Wiebad cheek riser
Scope is Athlon Midas TAC 5-25X56 34mm tube via Jerry @ Mystic Precision

FWIW also got the Bravo and accessories for it from Tom at Go Big. Great vendor.

 

[DMS1]

I have the 6-18 argos on my 10/22 and am very impressed with the clarity and focus. I do find that there is about 1/4 turn of backlash in the parallax knob. Does yours have an issue?

 

[Paul_T]

I have the 6-18 argos on my 10/22 and am very impressed with the clarity and focus. I do find that there is about 1/4 turn of backlash in the parallax knob. Does yours have an issue?

If you are asking me - no. I have 3 Athlon scopes and no backlash on any of them

 

[-Doug-]

Great write up.
I am currently on the fence right now with the CZ457 and T1x.
I haven’t had a chance to hold any of the CZs so I want to do that before I make any decisions.
I did hold the T1x and was not impressed by the stock, however as you mentioned there are options to fix this.

I’d be using it for Outlaw matches with plans on getting into CRPS.
I’m going down a slipper slope looking at the CZs…get the basic synthetic or get the MTR or maybe the LRP….maybe an MTR in a MDT ACC….yes I’d like to have a tricked out MTR and shoot SK and other match grade ammo but there is also something to be said about being able to go to the range and ring steel for cheap with CCI ammo.

I do have a question about your T1x
How do you like the trigger compared to your CZ 457?

 

[.22LRGUY]

Great write up.
I am currently on the fence right now with the CZ457 and T1x.
I haven’t had a chance to hold any of the CZs so I want to do that before I make any decisions.
I did hold the T1x and was not impressed by the stock, however as you mentioned there are options to fix this.

I’d be using it for Outlaw matches with plans on getting into CRPS.
I’m going down a slipper slope looking at the CZs…get the basic synthetic or get the MTR or maybe the LRP….maybe an MTR in a MDT ACC….yes I’d like to have a tricked out MTR and shoot SK and other match grade ammo but there is also something to be said about being able to go to the range and ring steel for cheap with CCI ammo.

I do have a question about your T1x
How do you like the trigger compared to your CZ 457?

^I think the trigger on the T1x is better, made better still by a YoDave spring. The 457's trigger is very decent though.

I really like the Tikka brand, but held the T1x maybe a half dozen times before deciding I could live with the kind of cheap look/steep price tag. ("cheap" compared to the Tikka centerfires) However, shooting is believing..and it's the 22 I reach for most now. BTW-never had an issue with the Tikka stock. Nothing fancy of course, but light, fairly rigid, fits well=all good.

 

[Hungry]

Been happy with BOTH factory triggers on the 457 Synthetic (the one I bought and sold the factory plastic stock, then enter the KRG BRAVO from Go Big Tactical) and my newly purchased (November 2021) T1x. Both are good enough for me and my parents who shoot these rifles more than I do.

I have three Vortex Diamondback Tac scopes and another THREE Athlon scopes,…. Backlash? Never experienced any , YET! Who knows if time will tell ??

YoDave was super kind (yes, that celebrity is a member of CGNutz) to send me a T1X spring kit (messaged me last week) from Hongcouver Island, BC. Thanks for that great gesture, Dave!!

Our club is luckier than most. I was able to get straightforward approval to tie up our rifle range for a Wednesday evening weather permitting so that the junior program can develop/proceed / train/ enjoy. We have had such success this season of 2021. So much so that when I ‘floated’ the idea of a parent/adult PR/PRS evening for Tuesday nights; that suggestion was welcomed.

To that end, I suggested a couple of PR (rimfire) clinics for the late summer and fall of 2021. These 4 days were met with instant success and enthusiasm; we are a GO for next season of 2022 at my home gun club.

Back to the Tuesday nights and PR / PRS clinics; they are designed for adults to develop their PR/ PRS skills on a weekly basis so that they too can progress their skill sets. Interpret that as many/much opportunity to sample and cross pollinate rifles/ideas/tools/skills/ammo brands/ steel targets. And that’s where the magic happens. Communities are built this way and that’s my job as your Tactical Teacher!

So my 2 nights of volunteer work at the GC are cut out for me. Tuesday evenings are for the adults, but kids can come and shoot/train/develop alongside adults. And then Wednesday nights are for the juniors to come along and shoot. The focus will be on kids’ learning styles, and I get to be my schoolteacher self. I’ve had a total of 16 kids show up on regular/irregular basis and my 14 year old has podium’ed or medal’ed at ORPS match in Guelph , Oct 2021. Thanks to Shooting Master Ken Rodd for all his ORPS efforts in Guelph Rod and Gun Club. We are truly lucky to have these MD’s (Match directors) running things.



I don’t want to hijack the thread about the T1x , but with the PR/PRS addiction, we cannot help but overlap discussions. I’m quite open to chatting about setting up a Junior Program at your home gun club (coaching from my end is all you need) right here on CGNUTZ. After all, we are a Gun Culture community!!

Peace Be The Journey!

Cheers, Barney

 

[yodave]

Been happy with BOTH factory triggers on the 457 Synthetic (the one I bought and sold the factory plastic stock, then enter the KRG BRAVO from Go Big Tactical) and my newly purchased (November 2021) T1x. Both are good enough for me and my parents who shoot these rifles more than I do.

I have three Vortex Diamondback Tac scopes and another THREE Athlon scopes,…. Backlash? Never experienced any , YET! Who knows if time will tell ??

YoDave was super kind (yes, that celebrity is a member of CGNutz) to send me a T1X spring kit (messaged me last week) from Hongcouver Island, BC. Thanks for that great gesture, Dave!!

Our club is luckier than most. I was able to get straightforward approval to tie up our rifle range for a Wednesday evening weather permitting so that the junior program can develop/proceed / train/ enjoy. We have had such success this season of 2021. So much so that when I ‘floated’ the idea of a parent/adult PR/PRS evening for Tuesday nights; that suggestion was welcomed.

To that end, I suggested a couple of PR (rimfire) clinics for the late summer and fall of 2021. These 4 days were met with instant success and enthusiasm; we are a GO for next season of 2022 at my home gun club.

Back to the Tuesday nights and PR / PRS clinics; they are designed for adults to develop their PR/ PRS skills on a weekly basis so that they too can progress their skill sets. Interpret that as many/much opportunity to sample and cross pollinate rifles/ideas/tools/skills/ammo brands/ steel targets. And that’s where the magic happens. Communities are built this way and that’s my job as your Tactical Teacher!

So my 2 nights of volunteer work at the GC are cut out for me. Tuesday evenings are for the adults, but kids can come and shoot/train/develop alongside adults. And then Wednesday nights are for the juniors to come along and shoot. The focus will be on kids’ learning styles, and I get to be my schoolteacher self. I’ve had a total of 16 kids show up on regular/irregular basis and my 14 year old has podium’ed or medal’ed at ORPS match in Guelph , Oct 2021. Thanks to Shooting Master Ken Rodd for all his ORPS efforts in Guelph Rod and Gun Club. We are truly lucky to have these MD’s (Match directors) running things.



I don’t want to hijack the thread about the T1x , but with the PR/PRS addiction, we cannot help but overlap discussions. I’m quite open to chatting about setting up a Junior Program at your home gun club (coaching from my end is all you need) right here on CGNUTZ. After all, we are a Gun Culture community!!

Peace Be The Journey!

Cheers, Barney

Youth programs are the most important section any and all clubs should be focusing on, I've witnessed some great success stories though the BCTSA and provincial, and national records, from all ages. First hand accounts of people in their fifties and sixties that missed the boat and started shooting late in life and wished they had of started way earlier, all they needed was mentorship due to growing up in a non-shooting household, and watched juniors grow from the first day of not hitting the target with all 10 shots to setting club records less then a year later, success stories for mentors, coaches, and students alike, all of would have been missed opportunities if it wasn't people like you and the hundreds of other volunteers that take the time to teach a kid........