One of my favorite activities is shooting precision rifles, and I have several centerfires that perform very well at my skill level. In addition to the recoil, the biggest drawback of shooting them is the cost of (decent) ammunition as well as the ultimate issue of barrel life.

Because of those factors I shoot many more rounds through my rifles chambered for the 22 Long Rifle cartridge, and this is about my latest acquisition. I have had very good shooting results with both a Winchester 52E “target” rifle and a Ruger 77/22 with aftermarket Lilja barrel. But because most of my “precision” rifles have chassis whose features are significantly different than those of the traditional rifle stocks, I have long wished for a high quality 22LR that’s more like my other guns. I wasn’t, however, particularly taken with the ones that were available for a long time, and I kept putting off a purchase.

I was therefore very interested when Tikka announced the T1x Ace Target model.





But although the rifle attracted my attention, I realize that brand loyalty is a poor reason for choosing something like this rifle. My centerfire Tikkas shoot very well, but how did that translate to a rimfire? The online reviews I could find were all favorable, but then most of them have nothing bad to say about any gun, and the reviews themselves were mostly not very good. Finally, though, I thought I had enough information to believe that even if the T1x didn’t perform like a $4000 RimX, it would no doubt be good enough for my purposes, and anything better than good enough would be a bonus.

And is it better than “good enough”? During my first session today I fired numerous groups, mostly with SK Standard Plus ammunition from a bench rest at 50 yards. After a first shot sighter I dialed up 4.5 milliradians and fired nine shots into the group at the lower left; it measured 0.513 inch center to center. The next group was at the upper left, followed by upper right and lower right; all five shots each. Those groups measured 0.588", 0.588", and 0.499" respectively. Without the one outlier of the last two groups, they measured 0.292" and 0.194".

Any time I can get a 22 Long Rifle group of five or more shots at 50 yards that hovers around 1/2 inch, I’m pretty happy, and of course it’s even better when the group consists of more shots. I also fired three five-shot groups with Lapua Center-X ammunition that measured 0.567", 0.364", and 0.371". At $18 per box Center-X should perform better than $8 SK Standard Plus, but based on today’s results the SK will probably be good enough for my usual purposes. (And yes, $8 for 50 rounds is far more than the bulk 22LR stuff that can still be had for an amazing 6¢ or so per shot, but considering what all my 22LR setups have cost me otherwise, I’m not about to shoot crappy ammo.)





So, about the rifle itself: The chassis is very similar to moderately-priced chassis systems for centerfire rifles. The length of pull can be adjusted to a limited degree and, most important, the cheek rest is also adjustable for height. Even with the large scope I’m using it was necessary to raise it only a small amount of the total height available. The rifle comes with a sort-of hand stop on the bottom of the stock secured in M-LOK slots. I replaced it with a short Picatinny rail section for attaching a monopod that I prefer. There are additional slots on the sides and bottom of the forend as well as an integral Arca rail. Additional accessories are available, such as a top cover for the forend with an extended Picatinny rail section.

The grip is AR-compatible to allow changing to any one of a myriad alternatives, but because there is a thumb rest on the side of the chassis, the current grip is fine for me. The bottom “metal” is actually polymer which is a little chincy, but it works. Someone like Mountain Tactical needs to offer an aluminum option so I can spend even more money on the rifle.

Like other Tikka triggers, the T1x’s is adjustable for pull weight. I don’t like super light triggers, though, and at 2 pounds, 12 ounces, this one is more than satisfactory for me now.

The one thing I’m not too happy about is the magazines. Being polymer is okay for .22 rimfire cartridges, but they are tricky to load, especially ammunition with heavily-waxed bullets that want to slip everywhere except where they’re supposed to go. I also found it impossible to load the specified 10 rounds in the mag that came with the rifle. I was able to get 10 rounds in the two spare mags I ordered with the gun, but it was a chore. After much experimenting I finally developed a technique for loading that works okay, but ….
Lula, are you listening?

In summary, I’m very pleased with the T1x after my thus far brief experience with it. Is it for everyone? No, and non-Ace T1x models can be had for much less money, not to mention other brands. Will other T1x models shoot as well? I have no way of knowing. Is the Ace Target manufactured to higher quality standards than the others? Again, I have no way of knowing, but if it continues to perform as it did today I will have no buyer’s remorse.

I have the standard T1X 16” barrel model. I bought it primarily because it handles just like my T3 hunting rifle, the stocks are interchangeable as a matter of fact.

I installed a silencer which brought the weight and handling characteristics very close to its 300mag cousin. Accuracy has been as good or better than expected. 8/10 rounds are bulk pack Federal or Winchester, the other 2 are subs of various make till I find a standout. 50yd spinners are easy enough.

I’m pretty sure its performance has sold 2 similarly set up rifles. I know for a fact one guy could not believe he could shoot that well. He was writing down model #s.

quote:

Originally posted by reflex/deflex 64:
50yd spinners are easy enough.

A 22LR rifle is an excellent way to practice and improve marksmanship.

Another 150 rounds in drills today, and nothing but satisfaction with the results.

Up until a few years ago, my favorite range time was had with tactical drills or running and gunning with any number of my AK47's. When I officially hit "old guy status", I found I no longer enjoyed sweating my ass off and crawling on the ground to shoot.

My favorite range time now is running a 50 yd IBS target to try to outscore my last one. I can sit there for hours (or until the mosquitos have had their fill) and I'm pretty sure I'm having more fun than I did running around.

Anyway, currently I'm using a Ruger Precision Rimfire, with a 10x42 SWFA Super Sniper, an Atlas bipod, and a 2 lb. trigger break. Very pleased with this setup but after your review, I see me gifting myself a Tikka T1x Ace Target before too long. Perfect excuse for a new rifle.

Is yours a 16 or 20 inch barrel?

Yes, I could go on and on about the fun—and benefits—of shooting a 22LR rifle (and maybe I will one of these days ).
Mine has a 20 inch barrel.

Long ago I read that the 22 Long Rifle cartridge develops max velocity from about 16 or so inches. As I thought that was desirable I gravitated to that barrel length, for example when I got an aftermarket Lilja barrel for a Ruger 77/22. Much later, though, I ran across an opinion by a top tier 22LR producer that longer barrels are more precise; perhaps they do a better job of stabilizing the bullet. That was the reason I chose the 20" version, and for once it was the model I didn’t want (16") that the vendor didn’t have in stock when I ordered.

And as for the velocity claim, I’ve never made a concerted effort to compare multiple loads in different barrels. I do, however, have some recent velocity data for one load, the SK Standard Plus, fired from three different barrel lengths: 26", 20", and 16". For that load velocities increased from the shortest to the longest barrel, so the 16 inch claim wasn’t true for it. Perhaps that old claim was for supersonic loads or for ammunition of that long ago era.

And yours definitely looks like a nice setup.

quote:

Originally posted by sigfreund:
And yours definitely looks like a nice setup.

Thanks!...I went on Tikka's website last evening and there is not a T1X Ace Target to be found. Discontinued?...Called my LGS and asked them to check their distributors to see if anyone had one. I may have to buy one sooner than expected. I was talking to 2 guys at my gun club yesterday and they are using the T1X Ace in small bore competitions and both swear by it. One said that he's tried every brand of high-end ammo for his, but that he just won a small-bore shoot with CCI Standard Velocity a month or so ago. That would be great to get a rifle that likes that stuff. Shoot lots, spend little.

According to EuroOptic* (where I got mine), they have the 20" in stock:

https://www.eurooptic.com/tikk...-rifle-jrt1xatb30020

* Their web site search feature is as bad as Brownells’, if not worse.

It is listed on the Sako site:
https://www.sako.global/rifle/t1x-ace-target

I note that not every description includes the word “Target,” but it seems there is only one model.

Thanks! Just got a call from my LGS about 10 min ago. One of their distributors had a couple so they ordered it. Should be here next week. I have a $1,500 credit from a trade I did last month. Glad I left it there. Now if I can get one that likes CCI standards, I'll be golden.
I've got some Eley Match, some Center X, and some SK Standard Plus laying around just in case. My Ruger really likes Eley Match but at $160-$180 a brick, I don't buy much.

quote:

Originally posted by pace40:
Now if I can get one that likes CCI standards, I'll be golden.

Keep us posted.

I should try CCI SV myself, so thanks for mentioning that. I believe that the only store within 30+ miles that sells ammunition has it in stock, so I will pick up some.

We of course never know about 22LR guns and what ammunition they will like, but mine certainly does well with the SK Standard Plus. The last group (7 rounds) I fired yesterday at 100 yards from a bench measured right at 0.90" CTC: nothing to brag about these days with a good centerfire, but very respectable for rimfire, IMO.

I found a couple of boxes of CCI Standard Velocity and fired 30 rounds with the T1x, bipod support on a bench that usually works pretty well for me.

These groups were at 50 yards (10 shots and five and five).




This group was at 100 yards (10 shots, and 1 inch squares on a target of opportunity at the range). The wind might have been responsible for the one impact to the right.




Nothing fantastic, but not horrible either.

The average velocity of the 30 shots was 1078 feet per second, with an extreme spread of 57 fps and a standard deviation of 10.9 fps. The SD was actually pretty good, and was better than what I typically get for SK Standard Plus.

Even with Colorado’s oppressive “excise” tax on ammunition and purchasing from a local store whose prices tend to be high, each box cost about $6.80, but it is much less from SG Ammo, so I will definitely keep it in mind for certain purposes. Thanks again for mentioning it.

Another T1X owner here.
Mine is my 100 yard .22.
Shoots as well as my CZ 453 but not quite as nice of a trigger, since the 453 is a single set trigger.

My first range trip, when mine comes in, will be seeing what it likes best. I'll post it here. Just went through my .22 ammo box and there is no Lapua Center X. Could have sworn I had a box left. Disappointing because I really wanted to try in the T1X and everybody's sold out. Please give me a heads up if you know of any online dealers with some in stock.

That's not too bad for CCI SV. That 57 fps is too inconsistent to expect any better. It'll work for squirrels though.

quote:

Originally posted by pace40:
I really wanted to try in the T1X and everybody's sold out.

As long as I can remember SK and Lapua rimfire ammunition has been available only somewhat intermittently, and I never knew why that was. Now, however, because it’s subject to the new tariffs I wonder if whoever imports it is deliberately holding off to avoid getting stuck if the tariffs get negotiated back down. Considering how commonly those lines are sold out, though, I’d bet that anything that was made available would be snapped up as soon as it hit the shelves regardless of any higher prices.

As I’ve commented before, it would be nice if an American company or six would start producing high quality 22 Long Rifle ammunition so we wouldn’t have to rely on the imports.

And speaking of CCI Standard Velocity, after I bought a couple of boxes locally, I started thinking, “This stuff looks familiar; do I already have some?” Duh: Sure enough, a couple of bricks plus.
It’s old stock I’ve had for years (my excuse for having forgotten it), so now I’ll have to see if it’s any different than what I just bought.

Good to hear, I’m very tempted by a 16” model. All my other bolt actions are blued and wood, I’ve turned to ugly synthetic stocked rifles to bang about. https://www.eurooptic.com/tikk...xLnxzfK_VrTVrggd3IKf

quote:

Originally posted by sigfreund:
And speaking of CCI Standard Velocity

It's funny...during the .22lr shortage a few years back, this was the only thing on the shelf. I still have 5 bricks laying around from then.

This is the result of a dot drill I fired today with the T1x and CCI Standard Velocity. It was fired at 50 yards from a bench with bipod and rear bag for support. Some of the “flyers” were due to my poor technique. I fired a total of 154 CCI SV today and it generally performs pretty good; not as good consistently as the SK Standard Plus, but fairly close.

quote:

Originally posted by sigfreund:
Some of the “flyers” were due to my poor technique.

Just remember what you did on 15, 24, & 25 and keep doing that.

quote:

Originally posted by pace40:
keep doing that.

I try; I try.

Something I do find interesting is how often two shots in succession at the same target hit very close to each other, but not necessarily close to the impacts on other targets.

That makes some sense when my practice is to stop shooting and come off the rifle entirely between one target and another, which is how I very often shoot these drills; i.e., I’m in the same position behind the gun and pull the trigger the same way for one target, but not when breaking position before going to the next.

But it makes much less sense when shooting a drill like the one pictured. For that I had 10 rounds loaded to shoot one row without getting off the gun. Even then, though, I’ll often get a string like the center row: two shots close together lower left, upper right, center right, lower center, and lower right (but not too far). With that string I was just cycling the bolt action and transitioning from left to right.

Anyway, I’m enjoying this newest rifle and I believe drills like this really help my marksmanship.