Tikka T1x Review

[mikepos]

I have this buried in the main thread but will be adding to it so I want to keep it together for continuity...

Merry Christmas! After having the T1x for several weeks I finally got my hands on it... here’s my mini review:


- Overall not the feel of quality and fine engineering the centerfires have but I expect things will smooth out and loosen up after. bit of use... I’m getting used to it already especially after putting it in a real stock, but it doesn’t have the high end feel I expected. As long as it’s accurate and functions well I’ll be very happy with it. The blueing is nice.

- Varmint T3x stock changes the gun from a toy to a real rifle, and raises chin weld to nice height. There is cavernous room around the barrel but it looks good. GET ONE IF YOU CAN!!! DO IT!!!

- T3 (not T3x) Hunter stock doesn’t fit, a small amount of wood removal is required for the mag well to fit in. Note above is a T3x Varmint stock, not T3 Varmint - This DOES NOT mean the T3 plastic stock won’t fit, I’m just pointing it out. I think it’s the wood stocks, both T3 and T3x, that require minor fitting, not T3 vs T3x stocks.

- Trigger is perfect after adjusting it as light as possible, no need for spring replacement

- Scope is a Leupold vx-2 3-9 rimfire, rings are cheap B-square rimfire. Measured height bottom of ring base to bottom of where scope sits is 0.39”. The rings were slightly high for a good cheek weld in the original stock, perfect in the varmint stock. I like low rings. There is plenty of room for the scope objective in this setup.

- Using a Wheeler FAT torque wrench in 5lbs increments, the rear action screw (by the trigger) first moved at 35inch. lbs, the front at 40. So I tightened them both at 35 in the Varmint stock.

:bthum
1 by Mike Pospolita, on Flickr

2 by Mike Pospolita, on Flickr
3 by Mike Pospolita, on Flickr
4 by Mike Pospolita, on Flickr
5 by Mike Pospolita, on Flickr
6 by Mike Pospolita, on Flickr

[/url]7 by Mike Pospolita, on Flickr[/IMG]

 

[mikepos]

Got to the range today, mostly playing with loads for my CTR but I did bring the T1x out for a quick run. Shot 10 Winchester Wildcat, 60 CCI SV, buddy shot ten Federal Blue box. I worked the bolt slow, fast, and clunkily like flicking the bolt up with a finger then pulling back in a second step, and not one functioning issue. Temp was -10C and I didn’t wear gloves so I kind of rushed through. Using the rifle it does feel more like a Tikka, very smooth and precise with a great trigger - my buddy said it was too light but I think it’s perfect. The mag is nice to load and once using everything the whole rifles eems to come together. Here are some targets, all CCI SV:

8 shot group at 100m in the circle, with the upper group of 12 or so shots including scope adjustments (plus the 30 cal). I know my shooting would have been off at least an additional inch so the rifle did better than it looks - I was very cold and I believe <most> shots went right where I called them.... I’m confident this will do MOA at 100m.

Untitled by Mike Pospolita, on Flickr

50m:

Untitled by Mike Pospolita, on Flickr

50m with slower shooting. The bad flyer was me.

Untitled by Mike Pospolita, on Flickr

It’s supposed to warm up later this week and I plan to try it again... I don’t plan to shoot expensive ammo in this so I’m happy it seems like it might like the CCI - although it may throw the odd flyer. Other posts say to use SK or Elley and the targets speak for themselves

 

[mikepos]

New comments:

- The mag seemed to go in and out better at the range. Coming home I worked it as when I was shooting and found that subconscious removal of the mag with one hand tilted it slightly forward which takes it out without a snag... earlier I was taking it straight out.

- The bolt also seemed smoother, which further helps real world experience ... taking it out where it belongs and shooting it brings it alive better than scrutinizing it under the Christmas tree

- The Varmint stock is cavernous and although it doesn’t show in the pictures you can see the brass nuts under the barrel. I might blacken them but it isn’t an issue really. The originall stock does look better around the barrel but the Varmint benefits far outweigh that

- The Varmint stock fits so well with the rings on it (height 0.39” see above) that I’m going to stay with it rather than fit the MUCH better looking Hunter stock that I bought for the T1x while waiting for it to arrive. I’ve moved more to vertical grips on my tikkas and the hunter/T1x stocks don’t feel good anymore

- I played with the T1x stock with the Varmint recoil pad on it and it’s very usable for the scope setup I have, but the. Varmint is just better. I never bothered putting the vertical grip on because the purpose was to test ifI want to use the Hunter stock... I’m going to have to sleep on this, don’t want to alter the stock because it will make T3 owners not want it, but there will be many T1x owners that will, so I might just to see it... decisions...

- did a side by side comparison of the inside of the Varmint stock and the T1x stock. Except the obvious grip and butt plate they appear to be identical except there is more plastic lining the forstock area. There even appears to be a seam where that extra plastic was molded in to fill the barrel gap. Also there is a little plastic piece bolted in right in front of the receiver. The piece doesn’t look good in the Varmint stock because the barrel profile leaves a gap

Pics:

Untitled by Mike Pospolita, on Flickr

Untitled by Mike Pospolita, on Flickr

 

[super7]

Most rimfire ammo does not group well in those kind of temps

 

[mikepos]

Had the rifle out for a hunt today, handy little gun to carry around.

Untitled by Mike Pospolita, on Flickr

Untitled by Mike Pospolita, on Flickr

Untitled by Mike Pospolita, on Flickr

 

[HondaVTEC]

Good review Mike . It would be interesting to see how your rifle would shoot with better ammo . Hopefully you will try some decent target ammo as I suspect it will make a significant improvement . If you do , please post your results .

 

[45CAT]

kinneyshootingsupply.com
They now have the DIP rail for the tikka T1 up on the website for sale 59.95US including shipping also the 20? Moa rail

 

[mikepos]

I am weak, had to fit the Hunter stock... easy job as per excellent post by

A couple minutes with a dremel (3 tries to avoid removing more than necessary but taking enough to avoid contact) then drilled the hole for the trigger, where I was careless and ended up drilling too close to the bolt hole - no harm anyway, not structural but don’t be like Mike, do a pro job just because...

The trigger guard moves freely in its slot but it bows out in the middle more than the Varmint stock so I’ll have to check feeding - mag. feels identical so it could be me.

Cheek weld is slightly low but very usable where this will be a hunter/plinker rather than a target gun...

Here she is before:

[/url]Untitled by Mike Pospolita, on Flickr[/IMG]

After:

[/url]Untitled by Mike Pospolita, on Flickr[/IMG]

 

[savagelh]

Looks really good in the wood stock.

 

[KDX]

X2. Nice choice of optics for it also.

 

[45CAT]

I am weak, had to fit the Hunter stock... easy job as per excellent post by

A couple minutes with a dremel (3 tries to avoid removing more than necessary but taking enough to avoid contact) then drilled the hole for the trigger, where I was careless and ended up drilling too close to the bolt hole - no harm anyway, not structural but don’t be like Mike, do a pro job just because...

The trigger guard moves freely in its slot but it bows out in the middle more than the Varmint stock so I’ll have to check feeding - mag. feels identical so it could be me.

Cheek weld is slightly low but very usable where this will be a hunter/plinker rather than a target gun...

Here she is before:

[/url]Untitled by Mike Pospolita, on Flickr[/IMG]

After:

[/url]Untitled by Mike Pospolita, on Flickr[/IMG]

I’ve got the bowing out on my plastic varmint stock also. The magazine needs some “authority “ to click into place. Haven’t had the time to tinker with it

 

[mikepos]

I’ve got the bowing out on my plastic varmint stock also. The magazine needs some “authority “ to click into place. Haven’t had the time to tinker with it

What torque setting are you using? I used 35 in the Varmint but just snugged these for now, probably about 20. I'll see how it functions and shoots, will take the torque wrench to the range with the rifle.

 

[mikepos]

Got some more groups today, all at 50m:

Top Left Winchester Dynapoint 10 shot
TR: CCI SV 10 shot
BL: CCI SV 10shot
BR: Eley Match 10shot

I caused most of the flyers but to be honest a few of the CCI did not go where they should have

[/url] by Mike Pospolita, on Flickr[/IMG]

Eley Match 10 shot my flyers, should have stopped at 5 for a photo:

[/url]Untitled by Mike Pospolita, on Flickr[/IMG]

Eley Sport, shot by my brother not me :-(

[/url]Untitled by Mike Pospolita, on Flickr[/IMG]


My targets have improved a bit but I think it’s just because it’s warmer (-8C today) and I’ve shot better. The CCI is overall turning out to be disappointing really, although I tend to throw a shot or two from a ten shot group when I’m rushing, I can call my shots quite accurately and I know some of them didn’t go where they should have :-(

Not me but it is my rifle:

[/url]Untitled by Mike Pospolita, on Flickr[/IMG]

I ran out of time but I’ll try CCI minimags next, and some more Eley. BTW I never shot that before, it smells weird. Also, the bottom metal (plastic) is bowed out slightly, but there wasn’t on’t one function issue today either

 

[45CAT]

What torque setting are you using? I used 35 in the Varmint but just snugged these for now, probably about 20. I'll see how it functions and shoots, will take the torque wrench to the range with the rifle.

I went with 20 to start with. Funny thing was tinkering with the trigger today and the bowing has “settled down” and the mag goes in a lot easier. Factory trigger was 4lbs 3ounces,just by turning down the grub screw it’s now 19 ounces

 

[Blairsville]

I love that your calling a .5 inch group at 50 meters disappointing with ammo that’s 3.69 for 50 when you buy bulk.
Great shooting

Got some more groups today, all at 50m:

Top Left Winchester Dynapoint 10 shot
TR: CCI SV 10 shot
BL: CCI SV 10shot
BR: Eley Match 10shot

I caused most of the flyers but to be honest a few of the CCI did not go where they should have

[/url] by Mike Pospolita, on Flickr[/IMG]

Eley Match 10 shot my flyers, should have stopped at 5 for a photo:

[/url]Untitled by Mike Pospolita, on Flickr[/IMG]

Eley Sport, shot by my brother not me :-(

[/url]Untitled by Mike Pospolita, on Flickr[/IMG]


My targets have improved a bit but I think it’s just because it’s warmer (-8C today) and I’ve shot better. The CCI is overall turning out to be disappointing really, although I tend to throw a shot or two from a ten shot group when I’m rushing, I can call my shots quite accurately and I know some of them didn’t go where they should have :-(

Not me but it is my rifle:

[/url]Untitled by Mike Pospolita, on Flickr[/IMG]

I ran out of time but I’ll try CCI minimags next, and some more Eley. BTW I never shot that before, it smells weird. Also, the bottom metal (plastic) is bowed out slightly, but there wasn’t on’t one function issue today either

 

[Chilly807]

Your brother must have been grinning after that group with Eley Sport. Nice shooting, especially considering it's not Eley's premium .22 ammo. Groups like that, which I'm assuming was 10 shots from the looks of it, tells me that rifle has great potential.
How does the barrel fit along the Hunter barrel channel? Free floating for the whole length I'd guess?
No one's mentioned trying barrel shims yet, which is a common tactic for getting the most out of CZs. It'd be harder to do with the hollow synthetic T1x stock, but easy with the Hunter stock.

 

[Dave64]

Really nice look with the wood and would add some weight!

 

[mikepos]

I love that your calling a .5 inch group at 50 meters disappointing with ammo that’s 3.69 for 50 when you buy bulk.
Great shooting

LOL good point. I guess what I was trying to say was that I got definite “flyers” compared to the Eley, which went exactly where I expected. I was just surprised because when I switched to CCI from bulk box my 9422 and custom 10/22 tightened up dramatically. I used to blame myself for flyers but recent practice with centerfire is carrying over to 22 and I’m more aware of where the bullet should go. Being new to high end 22 ammo I’m amazed, but I’ll be sticking with CCI for 99% of my shooting because I don’t usually shoot with a bench and bags. But you’re right, I’m asking too much

 

[mikepos]

Your brother must have been grinning after that group with Eley Sport. Nice shooting, especially considering it's not Eley's premium .22 ammo. Groups like that, which I'm assuming was 10 shots from the looks of it, tells me that rifle has great potential.
How does the barrel fit along the Hunter barrel channel? Free floating for the whole length I'd guess?
No one's mentioned trying barrel shims yet, which is a common tactic for getting the most out of CZs. It'd be harder to do with the hollow synthetic T1x stock, but easy with the Hunter stock.

Yes he was happy and made a point to let me know he did better than me
The barrel is free floated the whole way back to the receiver and I didn’t install the “wedge” that was in the T1x stock barrel channel. I didn’t touch the barrel channel it was already free-floated.

 

[Chilly807]

Yes he was happy and made a point to let me know he did better than me
The barrel is free floated the whole way back to the receiver and I didn’t install the “wedge” that was in the T1x stock barrel channel. I didn’t touch the barrel channel it was already free-floated.

Perfect. It looks like the T1x barrel has a slightly heavier profile than the T3, I was hoping I wouldn't have to open up the Hunter stock in that area. It would be nice to leave it mostly OEM original for resale value, though as mentioned earlier I think a large portion of the used Tikka stock market will be for the T1x anyway.