A gathering in the Texas Hill Country shines the light on the benefits of formal long-range shooting training and provided a test-drive of Tika’s T3x Ace bolt-action rifle and the proven Burris XTR PS riflescope
by David Kelley
“Mr. David, hold .6 mils left and fire when ready.”
In under one second from the detonation of the primer, a Lapua bullet impacted 700 yards downrange, the sound reaching us twice that time later. “Impact! Hold same and send another when ready.” Two additional shots resulted in an evenly spaced and triangular .3 MIL/1 MOA cluster on the steel plate.
Just a few hours earlier, in a classroom setting, our group had mounted, leveled, and uploaded ballistic data to Burris XTR PS 5.5-30×56 scopes for a few days of range use atop the variety of new Tikka T3x Ace rifles.
Not only have manufacturing processes, tolerances, and material quality improved in firearm optics, digital technology continues to develop. Firearm and ammunition precision combined with digitally programmable optics have resulted in a combination that exceeds the capabilities of an average user. That said, remember that technology isn’t a replacement for knowledge and understanding of external ballistics, along with verifying your data in every condition in which you can shoot.
Product exposure at a recent gathering was proof of the most modern rifle, optic, and ammunition potential. We were able to quickly zero, input data into an optic with a digital sensor in the dial, and fire at extended distances with remarkably high hit ratios. This equipment isn’t a replacement for skill, but it does complement talent when properly trued and implemented.
Here are several items and a short list of training scenarios we used to score long-range hits and increase personal confidence on the shooting line and hunting grounds.
Rifles, Optics, and Accessories
The Tikka T3x Ace and T1x Ace series rifles were announced around SHOT 2025 with the intent to provide factory-ready firearms for PRS, NRL/NRL22, and long-range hunting. Our group of shooters used a mix of T3x Target and T3x Game rifles, all chambered for 6.5 Creedmoor.
The T3x Ace Target, the heftier of the two centerfires, is a heavy-barreled Tikka action with a fluted bolt attached to a chassis shared with the T3x Ace Game and T1x Ace rimfire rifles. The chassis is fully adjustable, including the length-of-pull, cheek riser, grip angle/position, and thumb rest. The bottom of the chassis is ARCA with M-LOK slots on each side of the forearm. The T3x Target weighs 10.8 pounds, with a 22mm diameter barrel (approximately .866 inches), and is threaded 5/8x24TPI. The barrel length is 23.6 inches for the .223 Remington and .308 Winchester. The 6.5 Creedmoor barrel is 26 inches. The Ace Target is fitted with a two-stage trigger and accepts 10-round CTR magazines.
The T3x Ace Game model is a slightly lighter rifle with a trimmer contour barrel at 22mm (approximately .708 inches) muzzle diameter. Barrel fluting further decreases the overall weight to 8.8 pounds in 20-inch barrels, and 9.3 pounds in 24.4-inch barrels. The Ace Game is fitted with a single-stage trigger and ships with a five-round single-stack magazine. The Ace Game is available in more long-range hunting chamberings than the Target and is the rifle I handled and fired on both days of the event.
Burris XTR PS scopes were used on all rifles. The XTR PS combines the PĒK (Programable Elevation Knob) of the Burris Veracity PH with additional features usually associated with the XTR III and XTR Pro. For anyone unfamiliar with the PĒK, it is a digital system in which the distance dialed is projected in a heads-up display. Data is inputted and adjusted to the scope via Bluetooth through the Burris App. While turning the elevation dial, the shooter can keep their head on the stock and read the yardage dialed through the scope. Envision the Veracity PH with a 34mm tube, SCR 2 reticle (FFP), ED glass, and a dial sensitive to 1/30th mil. This optic displays eight data zones, from the yardage distance dialed, wind hold, and level to a programmable timer for competitive stages and others between. Oriented towards competitive shooters, the XTR PS was a perfect match for the Tikka Ace rifles.
Additional equipment included various effective and trustworthy Dead Air suppressors, Sako TRG Precision ammunition, and MDT GRND-POD bipods.
Venue, Course, and Equipment Performance
FTW-SAAM (Sportsman’s All-Terrain All-Weather Marksmanship) is located in Southwestern Texas. The hill country is the ideal region for long shots with safe backstops. This ranch is a fenced 12,000 acres hosting twenty-six ranges within. Ranges of targets vary from 100 yards to 3,600 yards, with a mix of distances at each location. The layout of the ranges often offers a mix of wind direction and value based on terrain and the wide range fans. One range holds targets to 1,800 yards in a full 360-degree circle. Lodging accommodations are individual rooms and three-person cabins near the main building, which has a classroom, dining room, and lounge. The instructors are true subject-matter experts in long-range marksmanship. Their wind reading abilities on the breezy slopes proved they know precisely how your bullet is pushed downrange on these grounds.
The SAAM method of instruction follows reputable training models with somewhat of a crawl, walk, run method. Initial classroom time gave overviews of internal and external ballistics, a discussion of density altitude and other relevant inputs for the ballistic calculations, and instructions on how we would “true” data from the baseline inputs. We went straight to the 100-yard range from the class. Setting a 100-yard zero was also a suitable time to chronograph the Sako TGR Precision ammunition for verified data input to the app and optic.
I fired the Ace Game over the course of two full days. During that range time, we shot prone from 100 to 1,500 yards and from field-expedient positions resting on rocks, logs, and packs to simulate hunting scenarios. When the wind calls were correct, steel rang. I did not have to true any data input to the XTR PS. Others did have minor BC adjustments and/or density altitude tweaks to mesh the calculator data to real-world trajectories.
The first day was dedicated to verifying proper data at all distances and ensuring equipment was prepared for the following events. The second day began with a 100-yard zero confirmation, then straight back into Jeep Wranglers for a ride to shoot on multiple ranges. We started with hunting scenarios where the shooter would glass to locate a life-sized ram or elk target, range the distance, set up the firing position, and fire. The instructor, acting as a hunting guide, would call the impact or miss, then shift the shooter to a further target. Simulating a hit or miss and having a second shot opportunity further away was realistic. It was an excellent method to exercise the value of the Burris XTR PS heads-up display for odd yardages.
The final event consisted of all twelve shooters on a firing line. The instructor would call out one or multiple targets. In order, down the line, each shooter would engage before the next fired. It was a timed event for a total of twenty rounds. I missed two; one was 225 yards at a sharp downhill angle. Instead of readjusting position to steady aim, I broke a bad shot under time pressure. The second miss was a misjudgment of wind at 500 yards.
Initial 100-yard groups were well within the sub-MOA accuracy guarantee from the bipod and a rear bag. During confirmation on the second day, I fired three rounds and would estimate the group at closer to ½ MOA, nearly a cloverleaf. The Sako 6.5 Creedmoor ammunition, loaded in Sako brass with Lapua 136-grain bullets, clocked in at an average velocity of 2806 fps, with ES and SD at 37.1 and 12.7, respectively.
I haven’t handled all the current chassis options that are available through the aftermarket. Still, I believe most users will be quite impressed with the Tikka chassis, especially at the price point for the complete Ace rifles. The modularity and adjustability will satisfy all but the most particular shooters. Some will swap rails, add weights, and change bag riders. For them, Tikka offers several OEM accessories. The overall function of the Tikka Ace is superb and in line with all their Finnish products. The fluted bolt cycles and feeds as smoothly as any factory action available. On two occasions, I ejected a loaded cartridge believing that the bolt failed to pick up a round out of the magazine. If you haven’t cycled a Tikka action, know that they are that slick.
The optics functioned flawlessly, from the XTR PS to the Burris Signature LRF 10×42 binoculars and the Signature HD Spotting Scopes. The spotter’s MIL reticle removed any guesswork for the needed corrections, matching up to the XTR PS SCR 2 reticle, and the ability to mount a red dot to the spotting scope drastically increased speed when shifting view between distant targets at high magnification.
Final Thoughts
Of all the equipment used, I can only give one minor “improve.” I felt that the singe-stack magazine for the Ace Game was critical of position when entering the magazine well. By the end of the event, I was more comfortable with it but initially felt awkward ensuring that the magazine was precisely in line before inserting it. I’m sure it would become second nature with additional use.
My overall opinion of these rifles and optics seemed to mirror that of the group — the rifles are exceptionally accurate with the single brand of ammunition we used, the chassis is durable and easy to adjust, and the optics were surprisingly simple to use and extremely precise and repeatable when proper data was input. If any users were skeptical of the system on arrival, I believe they left with confidence in the combination.
I attended this event with elevated expectations and left with them fulfilled. If you’re considering attending a shooting course, know that it is well worth the time and cost. Attending a course with FTW-SAAM is the absolute best method to learn your long-range capabilities. Top-notch equipment, like we used in Texas, can only perform as well as the operator can steer it!
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