So, last February I had put in a pre-order on a Nucleus barreled action but a month later got antsy and decided to burn some Cabela's gift cards to get a Tikka TAC A1. Normally my impatience leads to less than optimal results. In this case though, it turned out surprisingly good. Now, I'm a total newb to precision rifle shooting. I'd been shooting pistols for years just for fun. But about a year and a half ago a buddy talked me in to buying a CTR in 6.5CM to try out rifle shooting and working on accuracy. The CTR shot well and I still have it, but I was hooked and wanted to step up to a chassis rifle. Comparing the cost & wait time for an MPA chassis for the CTR vs buying the TAC A1 at a 15% discount due to the Cabela's gift cards, I decided to have an excuse to buy a 2nd rifle. I went "buy once, cry once" and got an ATACR F1 7-35X scope on it. It's a little over a year now and I've got around 350 rounds through it (yeah, I don't get to shoot it enough). The more I shoot this rifle the more I like it. My setup also includes a Sterk swept bolt handle, TBAC 6.5 Ultra 9, and a Modular Evolution Bipod.
The Tikka is just a great rifle, even more so at its price point. The action is much smoother than the Christensen MPRs I have. It feels almost as good as my Mausingfield and that action alone cost pretty close to what the full TAC A1 cost me. As for Mags, I've not had any issues with the CTR Mags. The price droppped on them just around the time I got my CTR so it worked out well for me. I've not had a single feed problem with them.
I write all this because I was out today for a quick range trip between other commitments and had a lot of fun with this rifle. To re-iterate, I don't consider myself a good shot and I know my technique can probably use some work. I am signed up for the Alaska rifle course next month and am looking forward to "professional help". But, even with my inexperience, combined with shooting 'cheap' Hornady American Gunner, I'm easily sub MOA with this rifle. Today my best 5-shot group was 0.38". Two other groups were between 0.5 & 0.65, and my 4th group was a disappointing 0.98" as I pulled a shot. A few weeks ago I had 2 5-shot groups sub 0.4" and my 5 other groups were all under 0.7". I wish I could say I was that good, but I know this rifle is still more accurate than I am. With some work I'm sure I can have whole range days where no group is over 0.5".
To anyone considering a TAC A1, don't hesitate. It's a hell of a rifle. I bought an AXMC recently and keep considering setting it up for 6.5CM, but I'm just not sure I'd like it any better than the Tikka. This TAC A1 is one rifle I will never sell and I doubt it will ever sit in the safe for long between uses.
The Tikka is just a great rifle, even more so at its price point. The action is much smoother than the Christensen MPRs I have. It feels almost as good as my Mausingfield and that action alone cost pretty close to what the full TAC A1 cost me. As for Mags, I've not had any issues with the CTR Mags. The price droppped on them just around the time I got my CTR so it worked out well for me. I've not had a single feed problem with them.
I write all this because I was out today for a quick range trip between other commitments and had a lot of fun with this rifle. To re-iterate, I don't consider myself a good shot and I know my technique can probably use some work. I am signed up for the Alaska rifle course next month and am looking forward to "professional help". But, even with my inexperience, combined with shooting 'cheap' Hornady American Gunner, I'm easily sub MOA with this rifle. Today my best 5-shot group was 0.38". Two other groups were between 0.5 & 0.65, and my 4th group was a disappointing 0.98" as I pulled a shot. A few weeks ago I had 2 5-shot groups sub 0.4" and my 5 other groups were all under 0.7". I wish I could say I was that good, but I know this rifle is still more accurate than I am. With some work I'm sure I can have whole range days where no group is over 0.5".
To anyone considering a TAC A1, don't hesitate. It's a hell of a rifle. I bought an AXMC recently and keep considering setting it up for 6.5CM, but I'm just not sure I'd like it any better than the Tikka. This TAC A1 is one rifle I will never sell and I doubt it will ever sit in the safe for long between uses.
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