TEST RESULTS: TIKKA’S T3X ACE GAME RIFLE

During my test on the range with 14 factory and six handloads, both the Tikka T3x Ace Game and Burris Veracity PH 3-15×44 scope functioned flawlessly. While the overall average accuracy of 1.297 (handloads) and 1.073 (factory) was not as tight as I expected, there were several highlights. In total, seven loads bettered MOA while two factory loads topped the entire lot: Sako Powerhead Blade 162-grain Tipped Expanding Copper (at 0.495) and Norma Oryx 165-grain Premium Bonded Core (at 0.470). Both would be excellent choices for hunting most big game.

Factory ammunition

BRAND	BULLET	VELOCICTY (FPS)	GROUP SIZE
Sako Super Hammerhead	150-grain Bonded Soft Point	2788	1.210
Sako Powerhead Blade	162-grain Expanding Copper	2675	.495
Sako Super Hammerhead	180-grain Bonded Soft Point	2629	1.490
Norma Whitetail	150-grain	2763	1.110
Norma Whitetail	180-grain	2563	1.380
Norma Oryx	180-grain Premium Bonded Core	2619	.860
Norma Oryx	165-grain Premium Bonded Core	2733	.470
Fusion	150-grain	2825	.750
Federal Premium	165-grain Trophy Bonded Tip	2827	1.235
Federal Premium	150-grain Nosler Partition	2902	.680
Remington Core-Lokt	150-grain PSP	2839	2.040
Barnes VOR-TX	150-grain Tipped TSX-BT	2913	1.090
Hornady Precision Hunter	178-grain ELD-X	2590	.560
Browning BXC	168-grain Controlled Expansion	2570	1.665

 

Handloads

Bullet	Powder	Case	Velocity (fps)	Group Size (inches)
Hornady 165-grain CX	BL-C2	Hornady	2714	1.580
Hornady 200-grain ELD-X	Varget	Hornady	2443	1.180
Barnes 175-grain LRX BT	IMR4064	Hornady	2536	.953
Nosler 180-grain AccuBond	IMR4895	Hornady	2167	1.540
Nosler 150-grain Ballistic Tip	IMR4064	Hornady	2733	1.150
Berger 185-grain VLD Hunting	W760	Hornady	2558	1.380

 Note: All groups were three shots @100 yards and velocities were measured with a Garmin Xero C1 Pro and averaged.