One of the most debated questions in building a custom rifle concerns which action to use and the relative merits of options found on those actions. But what if all the desirable features of a custom rifle could be combined into one action? That’s the approach Karl Ricker, Thompson/ Center engineering manager for new product development, and Mark Laney, manager of research and development, took when determining what features to incorporate into the new long-action Icon.

Ricker and Laney spent time with many custom gunsmiths-- notably accuracy guru George Gardner of Precision Rifles--in an attempt to figure out which features were most attractive to shooters. At the same time, the development team began a similar exploration of barrel-making techniques and geometry that would allow the company to build guns it could certify as capable of sub-inch groups at 100 yards.

I recently had the chance to hunt with the result of these efforts, and my initial impression of the long-action Icon was good. That impression deepened and solidified with further use.

What’s different from the medium-action Icon (not short action--T/C plans a true short action built for the .223 size family of cartridges)? Most notably the use of a knob on the bolt and a hinged floorplate rather than a removable box magazine--both improvements, in my book.

The author bench-tested the Icon with a 2-8x32 Leupold VXIII off a Sinclair benchrest. Even in winds gusting to 30 mph the rifle shot very well.

While the butter-knife bolt handle used on the medium action is sleek and aesthetic, I find a standard knob easier to manipulate. And I simply prefer a classic hinged floorplate to a detachable box, especially on a hunting rifle.

The action itself is fairly beefy, designed for stiffness rather than light weight. It is well-bedded in a nicely finished walnut stock. I couldn’t find a single wood pore left unfilled, and the excellent butt pad is well-fitted.

The only complaint I have with the stock concerns the checkering outlines, which are rather bland. A point-pattern would, in my opinion, remove a slightly chunky look around the wrist and fore-end area.

The blued barrel complements the matte-finished action and is free-floated with a minimum of gap between it and the stock.

ACCURACY RESULTS: T/C Long- Action
.270 WIN AMMO TYPE	BULLET WEIGHT (gr.)	MUZZLE VELOCITY (fps)	STANDARD DEVIATION (in.)	GROUPS SIZE (in.)
Hornady InterBond	130	3,155	6	1.03
Remington AccuTip	130	3,159	18	0.70
Remington Core-Lokt Ultra	140	3,067	33	0.73
Black Hills Gold BTSX	130	3,002	21	1.36
Notes: Velocity recorded 10 feet from the muzzle with a Shooting Chrony chronograph. Accuracy tested off a Sinclair bench rest; results are the average of four three-shot groups at 100 yards. Winds gusting to 30 mph. Abbreviation: BTSX, Barnes Triple-Shock

The action incorporates a three-lug bolt and a unique “T-Slot” extractor mounted directly into one of the lugs. And, as on the medium-action Icon, integral Weaver-type rails are machined into the top of the action.

The jeweled bolt is constructed of stainless steel, and the bolt handle and knob are polished almost garishly bright--as is the bolt release on the left side of the action.

Operation is smooth, and the three locking lugs bear equally on all three surfaces. The lugs themselves run the raceways in a “Y” position; two up and to the sides and one down. The three-lug system provides a precise and consistent lockup as well as a short, 60-degree bolt throw.

The Icon’s T-Slot extractor works well, reliably withdrawing spent cases, allowing the plunger-style ejector to fling them out of the port and well to the side. When closing the bolt slowly and carefully--for instance when quietly chambering a round after getting settled in a stand--the extractor hangs up just slightly and requires a firm forward/downward push to engage the extractor and close the bolt.

On the other hand, when working the bolt rapidly the cartridge fed into the chamber with admirable smoothness, and the bolt ka-chunked home with satisfying ease, no trace of the extractor felt.

The bolt shroud is machined at a sweeping angle and blends nicely with the rest of the action. Accent grooves are cut into each side. When cocked, the rear of the firing pin mechanism protrudes slightly, providing a cocking indicator.