First Impressions of the Tikka T1x MTR

Recently I’ve had a renewed interest with 22LR. A few years ago I renovated my nearly 40 year old Ruger 10/22. The renovation included a custom barrel with a threaded muzzle. It’s a very accurate rig and quiet, but I later wanted a bolt gun in 22LR to run with the suppressor. At first I thought I’d buy a CZ, but the newest model wasn’t configured how I wanted it. No problem, I thought. I’ll just get a custom barrel for my 30 year old Ruger 77/22. Unfortunately, there are not many manufacturers of those barrels and they cost more than I wanted to spend. That’s ok, I thought. Since my factory barrel’s pretty accurate, I’ll just get it threaded. Well, the factory barrel is so thin the gunsmith said it couldn’t be threaded. While looking for alternatives I came across the Tx1, a 22LR rifle made by the OB’s official gun, Tikka. Tikka’s are made in Finland by a subsidiary of SAKO and are imported into the US by Beretta. I started monitoring price and availability of the Tikka on the internet. I was disappointed in that supplies were limited and prices were pretty much the same everywhere. While in Shreveport last week I intended to handle a T1x at Bass Pro Shop. Well, I did more that just handle it. After opening up a new Bass Pro credit card account, I got a $20 store credit, a “free” cap and a (not free) new gun! It’s been a LONG time since I bought a gun on impulse, but I’m not going to regret this purchase. Although the T1x is available in both 17 HMR and 22LR, I got the 22LR version. I ended up buying a Vortex “Copperhead” 4-12 x 40 mm scope from Amazon. Not only is the gun’s receiver drilled and tapped, it also has grooved dovetails. European rimfire dovetails are different dimensions than American dovetails, but I bought a pair of Burris Signature (the ones with the plastic inserts) rings that fit both dovetails.

The T1x comes in at a slim 6.5#. My version has a 20” barrel with a threaded muzzle, but there’s also a version with a 16” barrel. Tikka describes the barrel as having “a cross-over profile, which offers you the benefits and stability of a heavier barrel without noticeably increasing the overall weight.” Since I don’t know what that means, I’ll just say it’s a mid-weight barrel with an outside diameter of 0.722” at the muzzle. Since this is a hunting, not a bench rest gun, I prefer the mid-weight barrel instead of a bull barrel. Strangely, the thread cap is PLASTIC. (Note to Tikka: Given the cost and quality of the T1x, there’s NO reason not to include a metal thread protector.) The black synthetic stock has some texturing at the grip and the forend. The handgrip has removable inserts available from Tikka, but I like it as it is as it fits me well. The stock has the same bedding system as the T3 and T3x. In fact, I’ve read T3 and T3x stocks can be used with the T1x. While the barrel and receiver are blued, the bolt is stainless steel. The bolt is smooth and has a short 60 degree throw. The oversized bolt knob is hollow. At the rear of the bolt is a red cocking indicator. The bolt release lever is on the left side of the receiver. The American type safety (push to shoot) is on the right side of the receiver. Although the trigger is adjustable, I’ve not yet tuned it. The trigger breaks clean at 4-5# (I’ve misplaced my gauge). The gun came with a single 10 round plastic magazine sticks out from the bottom of the stock by 1.1”. If I had my choice, I’d rather have a 6 or 7 round mag that fits flush, but Tikka didn’t ask me. Nevertheless, the protruding mag is not a deal breaker. After cleaning the bore, installing the scope and bore sighting, a trip to the range was in order.

As you can see in the picture, I’m pleased to say the gun shoots very accurately. It points and handles well. It took only 2 shots to sight it in. All loads fed smoothly without problems. All shooting was done at 50 yards (5 shot groups) with sandbags at the front and back. Light was fading so I limited my shooting to some of my favorite loads from my recent 77/22 accuracy test: CCI Standard velocity, CCI Sub Sonic 40 gr HP and CCI 40 gr Small Game Bullet. Had it not been for a wild flyer w/ the CCI 40 gr Sub Sonic HP load, the biggest group of all the loads would’ve been the first group at 0.58”. I didn’t have time to shoot it with the suppressor.

I’m very favorably impressed with the Tikka T1x at this point. It’s a well thought out gun that delivers. It give it an enthusiastic two thumbs up. I hope to have a lot of fun hunts with it in the future.



Cocking indicator, bolt and safety.


Targets. Top to bottom: CCI Standard Velocity, CCI 40 gr HP Sub Sonic and CCI 40 grain Small Game Bullet. The two pieces of masking tape were the sighting in shots.