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Thompson/Center Long-Action Icon
The author took this heavy 11-point whitetail with Hornady’s 130-grain InterBond.
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The bottom hardware is well thought out. The trigger guard sweeps in a large bow to allow use with gloves and sports a square back, reminding me vaguely of the lovely square-backed guards used on some of the early model Colt’s revolvers.
The hinged floorplate is sturdily built with a minimum of parts, is well fit and tight on the hinges and functions flawlessly. T/C’s logo is nicely etched into the matte black floorplate. Allen-head screws bolt the assembly together; I hope to see either torx screw (stronger) or regular slot screws (classier) utilized on the final production models.
The trigger is a match-grade affair designed entirely by T/C and is user-adjustable. A diminutive Allen wrench is supplied for the purpose; simply insert it through a slot in the top of the tang and into the adjustment screw. My Lyman digital trigger pull gauge measured the trigger pull at four pounds on average, with a variation of four ounces high to low. Overtravel and sear engagement is also adjustable, but T/C recommends that a qualified gunsmith do the adjustment.
The stainless steel bolt is jeweled and polished, and decorative cuts meant to complement the action’s lines adorn the shroud.
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The safety is a unique affair positioned just behind the bolt handle, consisting of a two-position forward/back rocker type trigger safety, with a small separate rocker that locks the bolt.
The rifle proved to be very accurate. Mounted with Leupold’s 2-8x32 VXIII, it shot three out of four loads into less than the certified .99-inch on a windy day. With winds gusting to 30 mph and continually shifting direction, I was amazed that the rifle held groups even close to that, but the rifle’s favorite loads shot several tiny clusters, the best measuring .37 inch.
While hunting I used a Ziess Rapid-Z 800 Diarange scope and Hornady’s 130-grain InterBonds. After sighting in at the recommended point of impact, I could consistently hit six-inch steel plates to 400 yards simply by putting the power selector ring on the appropriate setting and holding dead on with the correct stadia line.
At least some of this accuracy can be attributed to the Icon’s barrel “5R” rifling, which incorporates radiused lands. T/C’s research indicates that beveling the sharp edges of the rifling makes a rifle shoot better longer and can provide a higher level of accuracy.
The target crown incorporates a 60-degree chamfer, which makes the crown less susceptible to micro-nicks--and therefore more suitable to the rigors of hunting. All barrels are double stress-relieved 4140 (blued) or 410 (stainless) steel.
Overall, I found the Icon’s balance to be superb and function to be flawless. The rifle does not have the familiar feel of a Remington or Winchester, nor does it remind me of a Sako or Weatherby, rather it combines traces of all of them and others into a solid, lively feel that riflemen will appreciate.
On my hunt, a good buck appeared at short range, and the Icon came to my shoulder without a thought. At the shot, the deer bucked hard and disappeared into the thicket below. I found him 50 yards down the slope.
SPECIFICATIONS:T/C LONG-ACTION ICON |
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| ACTION TYPE: |
three-lug bolt action |
| CALIBER: |
.270 Win. (tested), 7mm Rem. Mag., .30-06, .300 Win. Mag |
| MAGAZINE: |
box, hinged floorplate, capacity three |
| BARRELL: |
24 inches, R5 radiused rifling, target crown with 60-degree chamfer |
| TRIGGER: |
user adjustable |
| OVERALL LENGTH: |
44 3/4 inches |
| WEIGHT: |
7 3/4 pounds |
| STOCK: |
checkered walnut |
| METAL FINISH: |
barrel, blued; action, matte black |
| SCOPE MOUNTS: |
integral Weaver-type rails |
| PRICE: |
$1,100 |
| MANUFACTURER: |
Thompson/Center,TCARMS.COM 603-330-5659
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