The Tikka T3x Ace Game is targeted at the hunting market, but offers enough accuracy for competition. The test rifle was chambered in the popular 6.5mm Creedmoor.
Patrick mounted Zero Compromise Optic’s exceptional ZC420 scope on the Tikka T3x Ace Game rifle during testing. The compact 4-20x 50mm FFP configuration proved an ideal pairing to the rifle’s capabilities.
Finland enjoys a deep and hallowed firearms history, including 115-year-old Vihtavuori, 125-year-old Lapua and firearms brands such as 105-year-old SAKO and 125-year-old Tikka. These companies produce shooting products that are considered best in class by discriminating
The Tikka T3x Ace Game - the entire Ace Series, in fact - is bedded into a modular chassis system that is highly ergonomic and adjustable for fit in several areas.
firearms enthusiasts. I was surprised to learn Tikka is older than SAKO, as I had somehow gotten it into my head that Tikka was a later-arriving offshoot of SAKO. Tikka is now cojoined with SAKO, and the two companies are part of the greater Beretta Holding Group. It is embarrassing to admit I have never shot a Tikka, and the only Sako rifle I have fired was manufactured in 1950.
I am, of course, familiar with the Tikka brand and the company’s stellar reputation. Many of my friends shoot Tikkas. I also sold a bevy of them back in my outdoor retailing days, receiving nothing but glowing reviews from the customers who purchased them. It has been a while since I heard any big news from Tikka, but that changed at the 2025 SHOT Show. That news involved the new Ace rifle lineup, introducing further refinements to T1x rimfire (in 22 LR and 17 HMR) and T3x centerfire models. These included the T1x Ace Target, T3x Ace Target and T3x Ace Game. The latter is the topic of discussion here.
Tikka offers two different barrel covers with integral Picatinny rails, one including five and a half slots and the other seven, that mount into the existing barrel-channel taps. They are ideal for adding a clip-on thermal sight.
As you have likely surmised, the Tikka T3x Ace Game was designed for hunting, though it is also suited to competition shooting. As a hunting rifle, the T3x Ace Game holds a lighter barrel profile than the T3x Ace
Though the Tikka name is older than Sako, all Tikka firearms are now made by Sako of Finland.
Target. Ace Game buyers can choose from 223 Remington, 22-250 Remington, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, 7mm Remington Magnum, 7mm PRC, 308 Winchester and 300 Winchester Magnum chamberings. The T3x Ace Target includes fewer options. The test rifle received was chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, a cartridge that requires no introductions.
The Ace lineup is chassis-based, designed for precision shooting and built to serve shooters looking for an off-the-shelf competition-grade rifle for Precision Rifle Series (PRS) Production Class or National Rifle League Hunter and Factory classes. Tikka was clearly reading the room with this move, as every Tikka T3 owner I know has dropped it into a chassis of some sort, largely MDT or WOOX options. All Ace models share the same chassis system, which includes both M-LOK and Arca-Swiss RRS attachment points on the forearm for bipods and stand-up tripod systems. The chassis is also designed to accept a Tikka Ace Bagrider attachment, rear- and mid-chassis balancing weights, mid-chassis QD sockets, a thumb ledge (to replace the provided peg) and M-LOK rail covers. In addition, upper barrel covers with five and a half or seven Picatinny rail slots (taps found at the top edges of the barrel channel) are offered, ideal for adding clip-on thermal optics or other alternative sighting systems.
The chassis chosen for the Ace series is a highly ergonomic and adaptable modular design that provides spacer length-of-pull adjustments, a rubber recoil pad and polymer comb height latitude. The skeletonized rear stock can be set up with additional weights to increase stability or manipulate balance. The butt holds an M-LOK-attached polymer bag hook, and the front of the forearm includes a polymer barrier-stop cap. A barrier stop is also
Shown here are the Tikka T3x Ace Game’s two-position safety, bolt shroud cocked indicator tab and side thumb peg, or thumb ledge. The thumb peg can be moved to the right or left side of the rifle as needed.
milled into the forward edge of the magazine well. All models include angle-adjustable vertical pistol grips to provide optimal trigger reach, and a thumb peg that can be quickly moved to the right or left side of the grip to provide maximum rifle control. Single-point QD sockets are located on the left and right flats slightly forward of the barrel/receiver junction.
All bullets were seated using RCBS’ MatchMaster seating die. The side-window design provides precision bullet alignment during this important operation.
The Ace Game’s action and barrel include a tough black Cerakote finish to protect against nicks and corrosion. Cerakote offers a superior alternative to bluing that lasts longer without sacrificing aesthetic appeal. The chassis includes a Midnight Bronze finish, with all modular parts black.
Our test rifle arrived with a molded polymer six-round detachable magazine that looks identical to those supplied with T3 rifles. The modular magwell opens the possibility of using other magazine types or brands, including 10-round steel magazines. The large, ambidextrous magazine release mechanism is integrated into the trigger guard for intuitive and efficient magazine exchanges. The two-position safety includes a knurled T-head lever and locks the bolt when engaged or pulled rearward. The rear cocking indicator tab includes a red dot to show shooters when the firing pin spring is under load.
Components used to assemble 6.5 Creedmoor loads to test the Tikka T3x Ace Game included RCBS Group A full length dies, an RCBS MatchMaster seating die, Federal Premium Gold Metal GM210M large rifle primers and once-fired Norma brass.
The T3x Ace Game holds a lighter, fluted barrel (0.74 inch just behind the muzzle threads, tapering up to about 1.11 inches at the receiver) that makes it lighter and better balanced than the Ace Target. It is better suited to hunting but accurate enough for long-range precision. Though lighter than the Ace Target barrel, the medium contour provides a respectable degree of accuracy, vibration control and heat resistance compared to a sporter-weight barrel. It includes 5/8x24 TPI muzzle threads to accept a muzzle brake or suppressor, and a 1:8 rifling twist to stabilize the heaviest 6.5mm bullets. It also includes an adjustable single-stage target trigger, which broke at around 2¾ pounds out of the box. Multiple barrel lengths are offered (16, 20 and 24 inches), with the test rifle having a 24-inch barrel. These barrels are cold-hammer forged and free-floating. The action holds a 20-MOA Picatinny rail to better facilitate long-range shooting.
The two-lug, spiral-fluted, push-feed bolt includes a 70-degree throw and runs buttery smooth, due in large part to the tapered bolt nose that also helps push debris out of the raceways. A compact and hugely reliable Sako-style extractor and plunger ejector are part of the recessed bolt face. The new bolt shroud/dust cover is injection molded from metal instead of polymer, making it stronger to better protect shooters against a ruptured case. A small firing-pin hole also aids in shooter protection in the event of a ruptured case. The firing pin includes a dry fire stop and a large, bolt-on polymer bolt knob provides complete control. The bolt is removed for cleaning by pressing a rocker button opposite the ejection port. The comb, controlled through a push-button release and thumbwheel locking system, must be adjusted to its lowest position to completely remove the bolt.
This .51-inch group was the result of Berger’s 140-grain VLD Hunting seated over 37 grains of Shooters World Precision Rifle powder. Muzzle velocity was 2,657 fps.
The 125-grain HHT from Hammer Bullets, paired with 43 grains of Alliant Reloder 16, produced a .44-inch three-shot group at 100 yards, and a muzzle velocity of 2,942 fps.
As tested, the 44.3-inch-long T3x Ace Game is not exactly a “mountain rifle,” but at 8.8 pounds unloaded and unscoped (11¾ pounds as shot), it is a rifle I could learn to deal with on a long climb due to its excellent accuracy. This weight also makes it well-suited to truck-based hunting, such as pronghorn or ranch deer, or stand hunting in bean fields or other open areas.
The Tikka T1x Ace Target chambered in 22 LR would make an ideal companion to the Tikka T3x Ace Game, as they include the same chassis system and feel, allowing affordable off-season practice.
The reference to accuracy is no joke. I knew this was going to be a fun rifle to shoot when budget Federal American Eagle 120-grain FMJ ammunition produced a sub-½-inch group during sight-in. It then repeated that precision with the same ammunition during testing. The rifle went on to shoot many sub-1-MOA groups with various factory loads, with one group nearly breaking a quarter inch. That accuracy comes with a retail price higher than other T3x variants with the test rifle carrying an MSRP of around $1,749.
A quality long-range rifle deserves a proper long-range scope. For that, I called Jeff Huber of Zero Compromise Optic (ZCompOptic.com), a local company for me. Huber provided a desert-tan ZC420, a 4-20x50mm MRAD riflescope with unsurpassed optical and mechanical systems in an ultra-short 12.8-inch design. The first focal plane (FFP) optic weighs just 37 ounces (2.32 pounds). The ergonomic, exposed locking turrets provide 35 MILs of elevation adjustment and 20 MILs of windage corrections via its 36mm main tube. The scope provides 92 percent light transmission and true-to-life resolution. A larger eye box facilitates easier target acquisition and provides more than 3.5 inches of eye relief. This optic is waterproof to 4 meters and includes a selectable red/green illuminated reticle with AIM automatic shutoff if the scope is lifted or tilted outside of a viable shooting attitude. Illumination is powered by one CR2032 lithium coin battery. I was struck again by how looking through a Zero Compromise riflescope is like looking through air, even at the highest magnifications.
Norma’s Whitetail Country factory ammo, loaded with 140-grain soft point bullets, assembled the tightest group of the test, three shots grouping into .29-inch at 1 yard and sent at 2,646 fps.
Tikka’s T3x Ace Game is quite the rifle. Chambered in 22-250 Remington for truck-based prairie dog shooting, or 6.5 PRC for big game hunting, I could see myself purchasing this rifle. As chambered in the boring but effective 6.5 Creedmoor and equipped with a quality suppressor, this would make a wonderful youth or woman’s deer or pronghorn rifle. There is enough heft to mitigate felt recoil, and the rifle’s easy adjustability for a perfect fit and exceptional ergonomics make it truly easy to shoot well. Add to those accolades a high degree of accuracy, and it is difficult to find anything to nitpick about here.
Bullets used to assemble handloads included: (1) Hornady’s 120-grain CX, (2) Hammer Bullets’ 125-grain HHT, (3) Federal Premium’s 130-grain Terminal ascent, (4) Berger’s 140-grain VLD Hunting, (5) Nosler’s 142-grain LR AccuBond, (6) Hornady’s 143-grain ELD-X and (7) Berger’s 156-grain EOL Elite Hunter.
Hornady’s 120-grain CX bullet seated over a maximum load of 44.5 grains of IMR-4451 sent three shots into a .37-inch group at 100 yards, with an impressive muzzle velocity of 3,040 fps.
Patrick spent most of his time behind the Tikka T1x Ace Target shooting northern Idaho Columbia ground squirrels. The rifle proved remarkably accurate with a variety of high-velocity hollow-point small-game loads - not just round nose target fodder.
SK Rifle Match 22 LR ammo proved exceptionally accurate from the Tikka T1x Ace Target, producing a .18-inch five-shot group at 25 yards and .52-inch at 50 yards, with a muzzle velocity of 999 fps.
Ammunition used to test the Tikka T1x Ace Target 22 Long Rifle included: (1) CCI 36-grain Mini-Mag Varmint HP, (2) Aguila 38-grain Super Extra HP, (3) SK 40-grain Rifle Match, (4) Lapua 40-grain Center-X, (5) CCI 40-grain Clean-22 High Velocity, (6) Winchester 40-grain Super-X Super Speed RN and (7) ELEY 42-grain Force.
