T-C Icon review

K

K-22hornet.

New member
I recently purchased a T-C Icon in 243Win,equipped with the Hogue stock. I mounted a Kahles 3.5x10x50 on it and finally got out to shoot it the other day, and here are my impressions:

The black Hogue stock is very 'grippy'. I found it will not slide in the bags so I had to lift it up to position it for the shot. The good part is since it doesn't slide, it abosrbs enough recoil that I can see the shot impact through the scope.

Trigger: nice pull as adjusted by the factory. Little to no creep. The adjustment is on top,under the bolt. Very easy to get to and adjust. I have not adjusted it yet. It is good, for now.

The bolt is a very heavy, thick, bolt with a 3 lug head and short bolt throw. Function was smooth, loading/ejecting was flawless. I did not try to shoot and load quickly, such as when I have a 2nd coyote to shoot.

The shooting: After bore sighting, the 1st handload (40.5gr IMR4895 under 70gr Blitzking)was 4 1/2" low,so I made the scope adjustment. Shots 2 & 3 were touching each other and #4 was abit high, for a .907 3 shot group! So far, so good. The same load but with a 75gr Vmax grouped .700 which was the best group of the day. With an 85gr Barnes TSX over 38.5grs of Varget, I shot a .775" group, avg fps 3,240.

I shot 7 groups of 3 shots each and here are the results: .700, .775, .885, .990,.907, 1.26, 1.40.

Powders were Varget and IMR4895. Bullets were 70gr Sierra Blitzking, 75gr Hornaday Vmax and 85gr Barnes TSX.

Overall, I am impressed with the accuracy and the rifle.
 
K-22hornet:

Thanks for the report...the TC Icon does not get the attention it deserves for its design innovations (the trigger adjustment location being one).

TC has always made very accurate barrels. I am sure yours will improve in accuracy [very good now] the more rounds you put through it. I have always wondered why more buyers on this site do not consider the TC Venture...they too are very accurate.
 
I have an Icon in .308 Winchester and can't believe how accurate it is. The factory test target with mine was .32". I picked up a few boxes of 168 grain Barnes TTSX's in their factory VorTx offering on a classifieds forum at a pretty good deal. I completely cleaned my barrel, fired a fouling shout, and then shot the following 3 shot group. Rifle likes the 168 grain Sierra MK's just as well to boot!


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I recently purchased the Venture in 204 about a month ago and really like this rifle. I shot 30 rounds through it but it had a problem. After the shot I could not open the bolt back up without tapping on it with a rubber handled screwdriver. I took it back to the gun store and found out that there is a recall on the Ventures concerning the triggers and mine was on the recall list. The store owner put a note in the box about my particular problem also. Got the rifle back on Jan. 30th but didn't get out to the range until Feb. 2nd. For safety measures I looked down the barrel and couldn't see through it. I put a cleaning rod in the barrel and went up against something that couldn't be moved. I did not try to force it for fear of damaging the gun. Went back to the gun store and they found a long zip tie lodged in the barrel. Got it out and went back to the range and shot my first round. Could not open the bolt! Sending it back to Thompson Center again. Love how the rifle shoots but not loving TC's warranty work. I thought to myself that maybe I should have gotten the Icon. But would anything have been different if I'd had a problem with it? I'll let you guys know how trhings turn out. fatrooster.
 
Originally Posted By: fatroosterI recently purchased the Venture in 204 about a month ago and really like this rifle. I shot 30 rounds through it but it had a problem. After the shot I could not open the bolt back up without tapping on it with a rubber handled screwdriver. I took it back to the gun store and found out that there is a recall on the Ventures concerning the triggers and mine was on the recall list. The store owner put a note in the box about my particular problem also. Got the rifle back on Jan. 30th but didn't get out to the range until Feb. 2nd. For safety measures I looked down the barrel and couldn't see through it. I put a cleaning rod in the barrel and went up against something that couldn't be moved. I did not try to force it for fear of damaging the gun. Went back to the gun store and they found a long zip tie lodged in the barrel. Got it out and went back to the range and shot my first round. Could not open the bolt! Sending it back to Thompson Center again. Love how the rifle shoots but not loving TC's warranty work. I thought to myself that maybe I should have gotten the Icon. But would anything have been different if I'd had a problem with it? I'll let you guys know how trhings turn out. fatrooster.

I had a similar problem with my Icon. After firing you really had to work the bolt hard to remove the spent casing and they had some pretty deep gouges in them. I tried different brands of ammo hoping that was the culprit but they all did the same thing.

I called TC and explained my problem. I was told to include a couple of the spent rifle casing when I sent the rifle in. They paid for shipping both ways, replaced my rifle with a new one in less than 3 weeks and threw in an extra magazine to boot. I did stay on the phone with them about every day as it was about a month and a half before hunting season. I was worried that I would not get it back in time but they came through. My situation happened before S&W started making changes to TC. I understand that some have had customer service issues since the time S&W took over.

The new Icon has performed flawlessly and is incredibly accurate. I personally like the weight and feel of the Icon and especially love how well it shoots with 168 and 150 grain bullets. I plan to try some other weights in it this spring and look forward to seeing how it performs.

Here is a pic of what my Icon was doing:

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VAhunter, I have the same markings on my spent casings. I think I will call TC and talk to them personally instead of just letting the gun shop handle it. Thanks for your input. fatrooster.
 
Originally Posted By: fatroosterVAhunter, I have the same markings on my spent casings. I think I will call TC and talk to them personally instead of just letting the gun shop handle it. Thanks for your input. fatrooster.

fatrooster,

FWIW, I had the best luck getting in touch with someone quickly, without having to wait on hold at TC by calling at 8AM EST sharp. Actually had someone take a call at 7:55 on one occasion. I'm not sure how it will be now that S&W has moved TC to their headquarters.
 
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