Now they're out of business, has their value went up....or down? Or just stayed about the same? I've been seeing a lot of Contender barrels for sale (mostly pistol) and an frame here and there. Seems they are slow movers even though they seem to still be popular. I have a rifle in 204R that shoots really well for what it is. Some days I consider selling it and other days I think about a really nice custom stock and a different caliber barrel. LOL, story of my life.
Thompson Center?
- Thread starter pyscodog
- Start date
K-22hornet.
New member
I have the T-C Icon in 243, and it is very accurate.
It's easy to get sub-MOA loads with it.
Smith & Wesson should have not bought T-C.
It reminds me of GM buying SAAB, and within 9 years, GM closed SAAB down. GM 14th Floor executives could screw up an ice cream stand in Death Valley.
It's easy to get sub-MOA loads with it.
Smith & Wesson should have not bought T-C.
It reminds me of GM buying SAAB, and within 9 years, GM closed SAAB down. GM 14th Floor executives could screw up an ice cream stand in Death Valley.
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Bowhunt
Active member
I'm not sure about the value, but it doesn't matter to me because I have 3 that I would NEVER sell unless it was some sort of emergency. I have an Omega Z5 muzzleloader that is the most accurate that I have ever seen. I also have 2 Ventures. 1 in 22-250 and 1 in 270 WIN. Both are so ridiculously accurate that you wouldn't believe me if I told you. Lol. I wish they still made them and I would jump all over a Venture in 243 if I could find one. A buddy has a Icon in 243 that is beautiful and insanely accurate as well.
I've had a couple of the Icon Precision Hunters with the heavy barrels. Both shot very well and were pleasing to the eyes. Strange they dropped their top of the line rifles and build a cheaper version and put them in plastic stocks. I'd rather pay more for better equipment. I just have a hard time with plastic stocks. Some folks don't mind them but that's usually the first thing that goes when I get one.
I'm old enough to have (had) a soft spot for wood/steel firearms, but you can teach an old dog new tricks. I still have a deep appreciation for beautiful classic rifle w/good wood. But I have finally learned to appreciate the benefits of plastic and consider my plastic stocks to be what they are intended to be.....a tool, not a work of art. Now I don't care if I get a ding on a (plastic) stock, don't have to worry much about a change in POI after rifle sits unused for a period of time, nor mind rattle canning if I so desire.
Case in point of weakness of wood stock. My son lives 400 miles from here and on occasion, used to fly down for a weekend hunt, so, he zeroed his rifle, brought it down and left it in my safe over deer season. About a month after leaving the rifle, he got a shot at a nice buck at a bit over 200 yards.....and missed! He had attempted a neck shot and we tracked the deer over 1/4 mile to be absolutely sure it was a clean miss, then went to the range. Rifle was off 6" (if I remember correctly, but plenty far, and in a direction to definitely account for the miss).
Upon analyzing why he missed (he's master class rifleman), we figured out that, while we both live in humid climate. His rifle was stored in his safe after checking zero before first hunt of year. Then it sat in my safe for over a month before the miss. I have a goldenrod dehumidifier in my safe, he does not. I'm convinced the (wood) stock dried out in drier safe causing POI shift.
Regards,
hm
Case in point of weakness of wood stock. My son lives 400 miles from here and on occasion, used to fly down for a weekend hunt, so, he zeroed his rifle, brought it down and left it in my safe over deer season. About a month after leaving the rifle, he got a shot at a nice buck at a bit over 200 yards.....and missed! He had attempted a neck shot and we tracked the deer over 1/4 mile to be absolutely sure it was a clean miss, then went to the range. Rifle was off 6" (if I remember correctly, but plenty far, and in a direction to definitely account for the miss).
Upon analyzing why he missed (he's master class rifleman), we figured out that, while we both live in humid climate. His rifle was stored in his safe after checking zero before first hunt of year. Then it sat in my safe for over a month before the miss. I have a goldenrod dehumidifier in my safe, he does not. I'm convinced the (wood) stock dried out in drier safe causing POI shift.
Regards,
hm
22magnum22
Well-known member
I am glad to say I bought one of the T/C Icon first year production (2007 I think). It is one that will consistently put the bullet where you aim, as others have said. 243 cal does the job on hogs or coyotes very efficiently!
Dark moon 63
New member
I’ve had a few very nice Thompson Center muzzleloader’s when they used select walnut stocks. A New englander in the 80’s, a couple Fire hawks pre removable breech plug stainless in the early 90’s and reasonably priced. Tried a weather shield after smith bought them and the quality was gone.
Smackerquacker
Member
I have an Omega ml and picked up a Compass 2 in 243 for my daughter. That Compass 2 was cheaper than a Ruger American and shoots crazy good.